Generally, there are 5 types of business plan, each comes with advantages and disadvantages. Which one is yours?

1. The theoretically good, practically poor business plan

This type of plan is generally developed or owned by those whose aim are more to have a good looking business plan, rather than a practical business execution. There is a likelihood that they belong to good academic achievers, who have been taught to appreciate more theory than practice.

Each sentence in a business plan within this category is worded carefully, while the practical aspects of the business are often left neglected. Those with this type of plan are generally the last to jump into any action, if any. After all, according to them, no work should commence unless they have everything in black and white. When things go wrong, they panic the most.

2. The skeleton business plan

Sounds hardly inspiring, a skeleton business plan has very short and unstructured pages. Some academicians also refer this as a ‘dehydrated’ business plan. However, surprisingly the plan can have the highest possible success. Entrepreneurs in this category are considered determined risk takers. They are also experts in turning small ideas into big corporate successes. A skeleton business plan can run between 5-10 pages only but covers all the key points needed for the entrepreneur to refer and drive the venture forward.

3. The do-as-you-go business plan

A do-as-you-go business plan is built concurrently with the running of a start up business. More often than not, the entrepreneur with this plan possesses the wait and see attitude, banking on their flexibility towards changes affecting their business. While this may sound good, it comes with risk and problems too. Sometimes the businessman is stuck at a certain stage of his business without knowing exactly what to do. Worse, without solid plan, they are at risk being outdone by their competitors and when they realize it, it’s probably too late.

4. The versatile business plan

A versatile business plan takes consideration many of the important elements of a business, and at any one time, can be used for multiple purposes such as applying for business loan, presenting to potential partners or simply skimming through a 5-year plan. While versatility sounds like a good thing, it is not the best type of plan either. For example, a business which can be started with very low capital may never need funding, so there’s little point to tailor the plan towards convincing the capitalist. Still, a versatile business plan is highly sought after.

5. The perfect business plan

In theory, a perfect business plan business plan, when executed, will generate a roaring success, regardless who runs it. Unfortunately, business does not work like that. A seemingly perfect plan can convert into a disastrous business, and vice versa. So, practically, a perfect business plan does not exist.