What to Include
| Part | What to write |
|---|---|
| Premises | Where you work, its size, and its monthly cost (or "online" / "from home") |
| Equipment | The key tools and machines, and what each is for |
| Suppliers and partners | Who supplies key items, plus a backup — see choosing suppliers |
| Team roles | Each role, what it does, and its monthly cost |
| Daily process | A normal day, step by step, from opening to closing |
How to Write It in 4 Steps
1. Walk through a normal day
Write each step in order. This shows what you need and where problems could appear.
2. List what each step needs
Space, equipment, supplies, and people.
3. Assign roles
Who does each task? If one person does everything at the start, say so.
4. Add the costs
Rent, salaries, and equipment go into your startup and monthly costs.
Example (Illustrative)
Equipment: oven, mixer, display counter, coffee machine.
Suppliers: flour from a local mill (backup: a wholesaler); coffee from a local roaster.
Team: baker (owner) and one counter staff member.
Daily process: 4:30 start baking · 6:30 open · batches every two hours · 15:00 close · clean and order supplies.
Common Mistakes
- Too general. "We will run the shop well" says nothing.
- No backup for key suppliers or key people.
- Costs that do not match your financial plan.
Where It Fits in Your Business Plan
This is the Operations and Execution section. How you make and deliver the product itself goes in Production and Delivery Model. See The 8 Sections of a Business Plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an operations plan in a business plan?
A description of how the business runs day to day: premises, equipment, suppliers, team roles, and the daily process.
How detailed should an operations plan be?
Detailed enough that a reader understands a normal day and what it costs. For a small business, a page is usually enough.
What is the difference between operations and production?
Operations covers how the whole business runs each day. Production and delivery covers how the product or service itself is made and delivered.
Do online businesses need an operations plan?
Yes. Describe your tools, suppliers, team, and the steps to deliver each order.
Build your plan with Founderplat
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