SUGGESTED OUTLINE FOR THE PROJECT PAPER
( If the Project Paper is of the Business Plan)
Title Page
Acceptance Page
Acknowledgements (if any):
Summary Highlights:
Part I-Introduction
a. Brief Description/Nature of the Proposed Study
b. Background of the Study
c. Rationale/Significance of the Study
d. Objective(s) of the Study
e. Scope, Focus, and Limitations of the Study
f. Methodology (ies)
g. Definition of Terms
Part II – The Business (Current)
A. Description of Business

A short history of your business — is it a new business venture, are
you purchasing an existing business, or are you expanding an existing
business?
B. Management
 The legal structure of your business — are you a sole proprietorship, a
partnership, a corporation, or a cooperative?
 The purpose of your business — discuss your vision and the main
objectives of your business
C. Product/Service
A description of your products and services — what will you offer?
D. Market

Your current position — what stage of the business lifecycle is your
organization in?

Your industry — is it growing, stable, or contracting?

Your achievements — what have you achieved so far?
E. Competitive Advantage

Your competitive advantage — what is your advantage over the
competition (e.g. innovative products, strong business model, appeal
to niche markets)?

Your competitors — who are they and what are their strengths and
weaknesses?

Your business model — why is it effective?
F. Personnel / Human Resource
Part III. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis
Part V. Growth Plan
A. Goal/s

Growth timeline — where do you see your business in a year from
now? 3 to 5 years down the road?

Milestones — what objectives have you set for your business and when
do you expect to achieve them?

Goals — what are your short-term (the upcoming year) and long-term
(the next 3-5 years) goals?
B. Organizational Structure
You should also include the date the business was registered/incorporated,
the name of the business, its address, and all contact information.

Corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship?
Find out which type of business structure is right for your business:
incorporation, a partnership, a sole proprietorship or a co-operative.
C. Marketing strategy /tactic
Describe the activities you will use to promote and sell your product or
service. You should touch on each of the "four Ps" of the marketing mix:

Product — how does your product or service meet the needs of your
target market?

Price — how much will you charge for your product or service and
why?

Place — how are you going to get your product to your customers?

Promotion — how will you connect with your target market?
Part VI - Human resources plan
This section addresses how you plan to manage your employees and human
resources processes. You should also discuss your short-term and long-term
plans for employee recruitment, training, and retention. If appropriate,
discuss any advisors, mentors, consultants that offer you support.

The essential skills required for each position

Information on your employee training program

Any other relevant information related to personnel (e.g. gaps in your
team, training budget)
PART VII.Social responsibility strategy
Implementing good environmental and social practices is good business — it
can give you a competitive advantage and help foster goodwill toward your
business. In this section you should discuss ways in which your business
honours ethical values and respects people, your community, and the
environment.
You may want to include information about:

Your company's environmental policies and initiatives

Your company's contributions to your community
In order to stay competitive in today's market, you might want to
consider where corporate social responsibility fits into your operations.
Part VIII.Financial forecasts and other information
This section of your business plan essentially turns your plans into numbers.
As part of any business plan, you will need to provide financial projections
for your business. Your forecasts should run for the next 3 to 5 years.

Cash flow statements — this is a cash balance and monthly cash flow
pattern for the first 12-18 months. Include working capital, salaries
and sales.

Profit and loss forecast — this is the level of profit you expect to make,
given your projected sales, the costs of providing goods and services,
and your overhead costs.

Sales forecast — this is the amount of money you expect from sales of
your product and/or service.
--end—
Annexes
References
Exhibits