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5 Best Free Business Plan Templates 2024

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Whether you're starting a new business or looking to update your existing plan, having a well-crafted business plan is essential for guiding your growth. If you're unsure of where to begin, we've compiled a list of the top free online business plan templates specifically designed for New Zealand businesses. These templates will provide you with the necessary structure and guidance to set your goals and steer your business in the right direction.

1. Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Business Plan Templates

MBIE, in collaboration with Stats NZ, has developed two Business Plan templates to cater to the needs of aspiring entrepreneurs and established businesses alike. The comprehensive full business plan template, available in Word format, is specifically designed for those venturing into the world of business. It offers a ready-to-use structure complete with detailed explanations and convenient links throughout. On the other hand, the quick-focus template, presented as a PDF, is ideal for regular business health and strategy check-ins, making it perfect for quarterly or yearly assessments. Fill it out by hand for a more personalized touch.

Tip: MBIE recommends using Stats NZ’s Data for Business website to find useful business tools and statistics.

2. ANZ Biz Hub Business Plan Tool

Are you new to business planning? If so, this convenient online template is perfect for beginners. It will guide you through the process of writing a comprehensive business plan step-by-step, providing helpful prompts and tips for each section. Once you've completed your plan, you can easily download and print the finished version in Word document format.

3. One-Page Business Plan By The $100 Start-up

This template is a valuable tool for exploring innovative business ideas, as well as for experimenting with new products, services, or promotional strategies for existing businesses. It can also serve as a concise summary of your comprehensive business plan, which you can refer to during your monthly or quarterly business planning sessions.

4. Microsoft Office Business Plan Template

Microsoft Office provides a diverse selection of complimentary business document templates that seamlessly integrate with their suite of products. These templates are equipped with a variety of charts and graphs to effectively showcase your market research and forecasting data. Additionally, they offer comprehensive, step-by-step instructions throughout the templates to assist you in creating a professional and organised business plan.

Tip: Don't forget to add your logo and change the document colours and font to suit your brand

5. Strategyzer Business Model Canvas

The Strategyzer Business Model Canvas is not your typical business plan template. Instead, it is a powerful visual tool that allows you to effectively map out all the crucial elements of your business and gain a deeper understanding of how they interconnect. This canvas serves as an excellent brainstorming aid, enabling you to jot down all your brilliant ideas, important facts, and essential figures before diving into the creation of your comprehensive business plan. It's the perfect way to organise your thoughts and set a solid foundation for your future success.

Tip: Use the Business Model Canvas as a tool for running a thought-starter exercise with your team to review and refine your strategy and goals before you write your business plan.

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How to write a business plan

Writing a business plan will help nail down your idea and give you a blueprint for executing it.

What is a business plan?

A business plan describes your product or service, identifies who the customer is, explains why they need your product or service, and shows how you’ll make money from that opportunity.

Why write a business plan

How you write a business plan will depend on what you need it to do. There are a couple of key jobs a business plan can have. It can:

• explain a business idea
• convince lenders or investors to put money behind that business idea

It doesn’t take a book to do the first job. You can write a business plan that’s short, to the point, and easy to update. That may be all you ever need. But if you’re going for funding, your business plan will need to be a good deal longer and more comprehensive.

Why every business should start with a one-pager

Even if you will eventually write a long business plan, a one-pager is a great place to start. It could take as little as an hour to do your first draft and will make your idea stronger. Writing about customers, competitors, income and expenses will help develop your thinking.

How to write a one-page business plan

You’ll see in the example below that there are nine sections, or things to write about. So give yourself just a small space to write about each. Keeping it short will help you focus on what’s important.

Download a one-page business plan template.

When you need a longer business plan

The greater the risk you’re taking, the more comprehensive your plan should be. For instance, you’ll need to write a long-form business plan if you’re going to fund it with other people’s money. Banks and investors will expect it.

How to write a longer business plan

Long-form business plans touch on all the same things as a one-pager, but they go into more detail and contain fewer assumptions.

Back-of-the-napkin numbers are replaced by forecasts and budgets. And guesstimates for things like costs, market size, customer preferences, and competitor weaknesses need to be backed up with proof. It’s a good idea to involve an accountant or bookkeeper in developing the budgeting and finance sections.

Contents of a business plan:

• Executive summary: A short summary of the main points of your business plan. Write it last.
• Company overview: Identify your industry, what you’re selling, and how you’ll charge.
• Products or services: Include a description of the problem you’re solving for customers.
• Market analysis: Describe your target market, and examine the competition.
• Risk assessment: Flag potential hurdles (including assumptions that could be proved wrong).
• Marketing and sales plan: How will you find customers and make sales? How many sales will there be?
• Milestones: What needs to happen and when?
• Progress reporting: When and how will you report against the milestones?
• Team: Who will be involved in the business? Note their skills and responsibilities.
• Budget: Estimate your costs and income (and any debt that you plan to take on).
• Finance: Show how you’ll fund the business.

You can also add an appendix with any supporting or background documents.

Make a start by downloading our free business plan template.

How not to write a business plan

Avoid these common business planning mistakes:

• Underestimating how much money it will take to get started
• Failing to budget for the first few months of operation (before revenues start flowing)
• Expecting sales to ramp up too fast
• Relying too heavily on one or two customers (or suppliers)
• Not including contingencies for unexpected delays or costs

For more information, visit the MBIE page on writing a business plan , which comes complete with templates to help get you started.

Xero does not provide accounting, tax, business or legal advice. This guide has been provided for information purposes only. You should consult your own professional advisors for advice directly relating to your business or before taking action in relation to any of the content provided.

How to start a business

Thousands of new businesses open every day. If all those people can do it, why not you? Here’s what to do, and when.

Your business idea is clearly inspired. But it helps to check you’re not the only one who thinks so.

It’s time to run some numbers on your business idea. Budgeting and forecasting help with that.

Your prices can influence the number of sales you make and the profit you earn on each transaction.

Your business structure can affect how much tax you pay, and how you're treated by the law.

If you’re starting a business, then you’ll need to get familiar with some accounting basics.

After all the excitement of deciding to start a business, you’ll have some paperwork to do.

Treat your website like an online version of a storefront. It’s the first impression for many customers and prospects.

Now that you’re in business, you want to stay there. Xero’s got resources and solutions to help.

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Free business plan template for small business

Create a professional business plan with our our easy-to-use business plan template., the importance of a business plan.

Writing a business plan gives your business the best chance of success helping you to flesh out your business proposal, outline key business processes and gives an action plan of what you want to achieve over time. While it can seem overwhelming, the time and effort you put in is worth it for your long-term success. Use our free business plan template below to get you started!

Get your free business plan template

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Business plan template FAQs

What should a business plan include.

A business plan consists of a single document with different sections that represent different aspects of your business. Most business plans include the following:

• Business overview
• Executive summary
• Team & Management
• Product & Services
• Market Analysis
• Competitor Analysis
• Marketing & Promotions
• Financial Analysis
• Future & Goals

How do you write a business plan?

Writing a multi page business plan when you are just starting out can seem overwhelming. The key to getting started is to keep it simple and add to it as you grow. Start with key headings (or use our template) and some bullet points mapping out your business overview, vision, market analysis and financial forecasts.

Tips for writing a business plan?

Check out this blog article for more information

7 Tips for writing a Business Plan >

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Get serious with our free business plan template

Turn your business vision into a reality with our free, customisable business plan template. Available in single and multi-page format.

Download your free business plan template

Complete the form and we’ll send you our free, customisable template, so you can get down to business.

Bring your business ideas to life

Our easy-to-use, guided templates give you a roadmap for success.

Map your goals

Start moving in the right direction with a plan that covers all of the essential business basics. Outline your executive summary, vision statement and future goals.

Define products and services

Highlight your unique offerings and market strategy, including what you'll sell (and how you'll sell it). It’s time to show the world how you’re better than anyone else at what you do.

Attract investors

Show potential partners why they should invest in your business. A comprehensive financial forecast is key when looking to secure funding.

Why you need a business plan

Whether you’re an established company or just starting out, a business plan is vital for success. A well thought out plan helps you consider the essential elements of your business and define a winning strategy.

And through the process of writing a business plan, you’ll uncover new opportunities and unlock your business’s true potential.

We’re here to help you grow your business

Access everything you need to start planning your vision and how you’ll achieve it.

A guided experience

Our business plan templates are intuitive and easily accessible, for every business. Each section has helpful tips, prompts and instructions to guide you through all the components of your business plan.

Designed for your needs

We know that writing a business plan is not a one-size-fits all activity. That’s why we’ve put together both a streamlined single-pager and a comprehensive multi-pager. Now you can map out your needs at a high level, or outline your strategy in precise detail.

Helpful resources

Looking for more help on how to write a business plan? We’ve got you covered. Check out our resources on  how to start a business , or our  12-step guide on how to write a plan for your business .

All your questions answered about the MYOB business plan template

What’s included in the business plan template.

Both our single and multi-page templates cover all the essential elements of a business plan, including an business details, vision statement and goal setting, market strategy and customer demographics, funding and investment information. Our multi-pager adds further detail and contains helpful guidance for each section.

Is the business plan template customisable?

Yes! Our templates are completely editable, customisable and available in multiple formats, allowing you the flexibility to choose the structure that best suits your needs.

Do I need a business plan to start a business?

Technically no, however as the saying goes, if you fail to plan you are planning to fail. For instance, how can you measure how things are going, if you don’t know where you're at?

Why create a business plan?

A strong business plan can help you plan for the future, enabling you to foresee potential roadblocks and author the roadmap that will drive you toward success. Through the process of planning, you’ll analyse all the important aspects of your business, provide certainty to future investors, reduce risk and plot an actionable pathway to achieving your ultimate vision.

How often should I update my business plan?

It’s a good idea to update your plan to align with the current state of business, market and strategy. Set aside some time on a regular, periodic basis to review your plan and see what’s working and what needs adjusting.

Create a business plan

You've been dreaming of starting your own business. You've started with some concrete steps, and you're ready to put your proposal together. But how do you start, and how do you know when you have the right information?

How to get it done

Create a business plan with templates in Word:

Start with a template

Download these templates from the Office Templates site to create your plan:

Fill in your Business plan .

Analyze your market with the Business market analysis template .

Detail your financials in a Financial plan .

Divide up the work and track deliverables with this Business plan checklist .

Wrap up with this Business startup checklist .

Need a little help?

Learn how to:

Start a document from a template .

Apply themes to change your plan's look.

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How to write a business plan.

A good business plan is essential when thinking about starting a new venture. It will help you apply for business finance and keep your vision on track once things are up and running. Here are four steps to help you create and implement an effective business plan.

1. Set out your strategic vision

Ask yourself what your company stands for. Think of everything you'd want a potential investor, partner, employee or customer to know about it. This includes:

• Vision statement: Should be brief and aspirational, yet achievable. Take the time to get it right. Try to sum up in one sentence what your business is all about, where you want it to go and how you'll get there
• Unique selling proposition (USP): Sets out why you believe customers will come to you rather than a competitor. What makes your business unique?
• Target market identification: While you don't want to limit your customer base, the clearer picture you have of your target market, the easier it will be to communicate with them. You may initially have to assume who you think your customers are, but once your business is live you should be able to update this using real sales data
• Explanation of products and services: Should be designed in line with your USP and meet the needs of your target market
• Key goals: Must be measurable, achievable and consistent with the financial plan
• Capital requirements: How much will you need to start and run the business and where will you get the funding? Amounts should be supported by calculations in the financial plan

2. Set out the details

Now it's time to see how your vision will work. Who will help you bring it to life? What business structure are you considering? Here are some other things to include:

History and structure

Outline your business' background and introduce key people like employees, managers, partners and investors.

Goals and milestones

Set out major business goals for the period covered by the plan, plus various milestones you want to reach along the way. Make these goals specific and measurable, so you can see your progress further down the track.

Competitors

Do a detailed analysis of the competitive landscape, including:

• Information on the industry
• Size and characteristics of the target market
• Your competitors' strengths and weaknesses

SWOT analysis

Put your business model to the test by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of your idea and potential opportunities and threats in the market you will be operating in.

Strengths What does, or will, your business do well? What makes you better than the competition?

Weaknesses What doesn't your business do well at the moment and how will you improve this?

Opportunities Where are the areas for growth, both within and outside of the business?

Threats What are the external factors that could change or threaten your business?

Business assets

Identify what you have already and what you need, including:

• Plant and equipment
• Information systems
• Intellectual property

Business strategy considerations

Sales & Marketing

• What's the best way to reach your customers?
• What is your budget for sales and marketing? How will you get repeat business?
• How can you collect useful data on your customers? For example, loyalty programmes, customer relationship management systems, online sales channels.
• How will you use this data to create targeted and relevant messages?
• Where will you be located?
• Can you work from home initially? This may help to keep your costs down early on.
• Do you need resource consent for your premises or operations?
• What IT infrastructure will you need?
• How will you get your product to market?
• What about insurance?
• Have you thought about your supply network?
• What is your business continuity plan? If disaster strikes, it's important to have contingency plans in place to ensure your business can trade afterwards.
• List your start-up costs and capital requirements as well as your projected cash flow, profit and loss and balance sheet forecasts and a break-even analysis.
• Budgets showing costs, income and cash flow are particularly important for seasonal businesses.
• As a rule of thumb, when it comes to finances and forecasting, be conservative; double your expenditure and halve your sales forecasts.
• Do you have enough money to get up and running as well as cover costs in the short term?
• When will your business turn over enough money to be profitable?

3. Make necessary changes

Writing your business plan may bring up questions about your business, and once you reach the end you may not be happy with certain parts of your plan or your prospective day-to-day operations. Before finishing, ask yourself:

• How can I counter the strengths of my competitors?
• How can I overcome the weak points in my business plan?
• Do the assumptions I’ve made based on various financial projections make sense?

Also, you might consider sharing your plan with others to sense check it.

4. Put the plan to work

Once it's ready, treat your business plan as a guide to running your business. Remember that it's a working document, so if your goals and circumstances change, update the plan. The business.govt.nz website has some great tools and templates to help get your business started.

Keep reading

Five things you need to do before starting a business, how to write a financial plan, naming your business, what's next, small business banking.

Every business is different and has unique banking needs, discover your options.

Find out more

This page is intended to provide general information of an educational nature only. It does not have regard to the financial situation or needs of any reader and should not be relied on. This information has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend you seek independent professional advice and contact Inland Revenue before acting on this information.

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Powerful business plan templates

Plan for the future, no matter what your business plans are or the size of your business with these designs and templates. whether it's just one big project or an entire organization's worth of dreams, these templates will keep you and your company on track from ideation to completion..

Put your ideas to work with simple templates for every business plan

Every successful business took a lot of planning to get there, and these templates will be cornerstones of your future success. Whether you're looking to attract new business, pitch your services or reimagine your company, with these simple, customizable templates at your fingertips you can turn complexity into something tangible. These templates can become marketing assets or simply remain internal touchpoints for your team. And as your dreams change, you'll always have this template to refer to – it's easy to change what exists on paper. If you're a small business, focusing on your niche can help you dominate in your field, and you can forge a plan to figure out exactly what that niche might be and how to target your ideal customer . When it's time to share your vision with stakeholders, craft a presentation that outlines your plan succinctly and with style. Let these templates from Microsoft Designer be your partner in business strategy for years to come.

• Agribusiness
• Institutional

Creating a business plan.

A thorough business plan is priceless for any business - if you're trying to grow your business in a crowded marketplace, it could be your biggest asset.

Current state vs future goals.

Think about where your business is now and where you want it to be in five years' time. You should make note of this in an executive summary that introduces your business plan. It's best to write the summary after you finish writing the plan itself.

The purpose of your business.

The first part of your business plan should detail the reason for your business - its purpose. Detail your business structure, the number of staff you have, your physical address and region where you're based. You may have locations spread out across New Zealand or the world if you export.

Explain how your business is different from your competition, the products or services you've developed, and define your competitive advantage. Consider:

• Where the opportunities are for your business - are there gaps in the market that you can exploit with a new product or service?
• Your strengths and weaknesses - what does your business do well and where is there space for improvement? For example, do you have outstanding customer service?
• Any threats to your business on the horizon - are you aware of any new competitors or marketing campaigns from your rivals that could impact heavily on your bottom line?

Formulate a SWOT analysis

Have a brainstorming session with your staff to identify your business's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. You can even ask your loyal customers for their opinions.

A SWOT analysis helps you pinpoint the positives and negatives of your business, both internally and in your control (strengths and weaknesses), and externally and outside of your control (opportunities and threats).

Free business plan template

There's a handy business plan template available on the Business.govt.nz website.

Your competitive advantage.

A competitive advantage is simply what you do better than anyone else. It's important to be specific about why consumers choose your business over your competitors' businesses. What exactly is it about your operation that is an advantage?

• Prime location - say you have a burger joint that's in a prime location, on the main street with huge foot traffic. Your competitors are off the main street, giving you a key competitive advantage over them
• Regular cut-price discounts - perhaps you sell electronics and are well known for having sales competitors can't match every two weeks. This would mean your sales can be marketed as a main advantage
• Personalised after-sales service - perhaps you have a business that sells and installs ovens, and sends staff to people's homes one month after each sale. If competitors aren't offering similar after-sales service, this is a crucial competitive advantage.

The smarter you can be about developing and promoting your competitive advantage, the better placed your business will be to succeed. Be careful not to generalise with words like 'price' or 'quality' - you have to be more specific.

Scope out your competitors.

When building your business plan, describe your main competitors. Consider all possibilities - you may have competitors on the same street, elsewhere in your town or city, throughout the country, worldwide and on the Internet. As soon as new competitors enter the market, you'll want to know about them too.

There may be competitors who aren't in your precise sector of business, but you may still be competing with them for the same consumer dollar.

It's a good idea to also do a SWOT analysis on each of your main competitors. Then make use of this information by assessing how your business could reduce your competitors' strengths and opportunities, while taking advantage of their weaknesses and threats.

No market without marketing.

How you'll position your business in the marketplace and how you'll continue to trade in the long-term should be answered with an intelligent marketing strategy. Plan your marketing budget and how you'll use it to help return a profit.

Market research will enable you to focus your marketing budget on targeted consumers, rather than just sporadic advertising. Detail how you're going to get the information you need to target potential consumers with channels such as print, TV, radio, social media, paid search, online display or email.

Position your product or service

Take into account the four Ps of marketing when coming up with your strategy. They are:

• Product - having products (or services) that are right for the market you're promoting to
• Price - ensure your products or services are selling for a price that will make your target customers feel like they received value for money
• Promotion - explore the numerous opportunities to promote your offerings. Some examples include magazine ads, flyers, Facebook posts and press releases
• Place - think about where and how you'll get your products or services to your customers. They have to be able to easily access them.

Creating a business plan is a process of thinking through all the variables that are going to affect your sales. 

Things you should know.

The material on this webpage is provided for information purposes only and is not a recommendation or opinion.

The material on this webpage does not take your particular financial situation or goal into account. We recommend you seek independent legal, financial and/or tax advice.

Links to other sites are provided for convenience only and Westpac accepts no responsibility for the availability or content of such websites.

Business Plan

A business plan organises your ideas for your dairy farm, creating a roadmap for success. this page reveals that businesses with a plan perform better, as it aligns everyone, identifies opportunities, and avoids problems. the process involves assessing your current situation, considering options, setting priorities, and tracking progress. while the business manager leads the plan, everyone contributes, maintaining focus and building credibility. your plan should answer critical questions about your farm's purpose, status, ambitions, strategies, and success indicators. regularly update your plan to adapt to changing circumstances. guidance is provided to create a comprehensive plan, including vision statements, goals, and actions..

Writing a business plan helps you organise your thoughts and map out the road to where you want to take your business.

Research shows that businesses with a business plan perform better than those without.

Why write a business plan?

Writing a business plan helps you organise your thoughts and map out the road to where you want to take your business.  An effective business plan lays the blueprint for future business success. A business plan:

• Helps you organise your thoughts and road map where you want to take your business
• Aligns owners, investors and staff
• Demonstrates you are looking at all possibilities
• Gives you confidence you have the best chance of making your business succeed
• Helps you identify opportunities you may never have otherwise recognised – and avoid potentially expensive problems you wouldn’t have otherwise seen coming.

How does business planning work?

Business planning challenges you to think through your ideas and identify possible issues and opportunities.

• Provides a process to consider where you are now, look at options, seek advice, and select the most important things to take forward.
• Gives you direction, a map to follow, and a sense of urgency - helping you, your staff and advisers prioritise effort.
• Allows you to measure progress towards  goals  and take action to ensure you keep on track
• Builds credibility and convinces others (including lenders) you know what you're doing.

Who is responsible for the business plan?

The business manager is responsible for the business plan, but good plans are contributed to by staff and advisers, overseen by directors, trustees and owners; reviewed by financiers, and implemented by staff, so all pull in the same direction

What questions should a good business plan answer?

• What are we about?
• Where are we now?
• Where do we want to be?
• How will we get there?
• How will we know we’ve succeeded?

How often do I update my business plan?

At least annually, because no situation stays the same for long; your business will face new challenges and opportunities over the years which is why it’s essential you regularly review and update your business plan.

Write your business plan

Create a business plan suitable for sharing with your bank, potential investors, business partners, farm advisory team or staff.

• Farm Business Plan  (Editable pdf)
• Farm Business Plan  (Word doc)
• Farm Business Plan template guide  (pdf)

Need help creating your vision statements and goals and actions for your business plan? Use the interactive QuickPlan tool to select from examples or create your own.

Starting afresh or revisiting your business planning? Create your vision, assess your situation, set goals and actions; and plan your succession and governance.

Additional Resources

Related content.

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Free MS Word Strategic Planning Templates

By Courtney Patterson | May 11, 2024

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Below is a collection of the best strategic planning templates in Microsoft Word to help you create a comprehensive roadmap for future growth and success.

Included in this article, you'll find: 

• A one-page business strategy template
• A Microsoft Word IT Strategic Plan Template
• A 5-year strategic business plan template
• A nonprofit strategic plan template
• A list of related strategic planning templates

Microsoft Word Basic Strategic Plan Template

Download the Sample Basic Strategic Plan Template for Microsoft Word   Download the Blank Basic Strategic Plan Template for Microsoft Word  

When to Use This Template : Use this template with or without sample data when you are starting your business and need to outline a clear direction and foundational strategies. This tool is crucial for transitioning from an informal approach to a more structured strategic planning process. 

Notable Template Features : This basic strategic plan template simplifies the planning process with a clear, easy-to-follow structure that covers essential strategic elements. It includes sections for mission and vision statements, a SWOT analysis, goals, and action plans, making it accessible for first-time strategists.

Check out these  free strategic planning templates that offer robust resources, including ready-to-use frameworks and expert advice, so you can meticulously craft and execute your strategic vision.

Microsoft Word One-Page Business Strategic Plan Template

Download Sample One-Page Business Strategic Plan Template for Microsoft Word Download Blank One-Page Business Strategic Plan Template for Microsoft Word

When to Use This Template : Consider this template when you’re on a deadline and need a swift, comprehensive snapshot of your strategy. Available with or without sample data, the template is ideal for pre-meeting preparations, allowing you to quickly and thoroughly review your strategic position.

Notable Template Features : This one-page business strategic plan template boils down intricate strategies to a single, accessible page. Featuring streamlined sections for goals, actions, and metrics, it delivers a clear and concise strategic outline that's easy to share and discuss. Download the sample version for a pre-filled template, or try the blank version to fill in the sections with your own data.

Check out this  strategic planning guide , complete with free templates that offer you all the tools and insights you need to expertly develop and implement your strategic plans.

Microsoft Word IT Strategic Plan Template

Download Microsoft Word IT Strategic Plan Template Download Sample IT Strategic Plan Template  

When to Use This Template : Dive into this template when your IT department is gearing up for a major overhaul or aligning with new business strategies. Available with or without example text, the template is a must-have for plotting out the technological roadmap that supports your organization's long-term vision.

Notable Template Features : This IT strategic plan template features IT-specific sections, such as technology assessments and future roadmaps, making it a powerhouse for managing and planning IT investments. The template includes detailed prompts, so you can thoroughly address and align each aspect of your IT strategy, from cybersecurity to cloud computing, with overarching business objectives.

Explore this  article on crafting strategic plans . It offers a treasure trove of free templates to guide your team through the strategic planning process, ensuring a seamless and effective strategy formulation.

Microsoft Word Advanced Strategic Planning Template

Download the Sample Advanced Strategic Planning Template for Microsoft Word Download the Blank Advanced Strategic Planning Template for Microsoft Word

When to Use This Template : Turn to this dynamic template with or without sample data when you’re ready to plan an all-inclusive strategy. Perfect for times of significant growth or change, it's especially useful for teams looking to blend comprehensive market insights with long-term planning.

Notable Template Features : This advanced strategic planning template is designed to guide you through every facet of strategic development, from SWOT analysis to detailed financial planning. Offering structured sections for an all-encompassing view of your business landscape, it ensures that you have a robust foundation for decision-making and future growth. Download the sample version for a pre-filled template, or try the blank version to fill in your own data.

Dive into this comprehensive  guide on strategic planning model templates to access a diverse array of free resources and streamline the path to your strategic goals.

Microsoft Word One-Year Strategic Business Plan Template

Download Sample One-Year Strategic Business Plan Template for Microsoft Word Download Blank One-Year Strategic Business Plan Template for Microsoft Word

When to Use This Template : Use this one-year template with or without sample data to reach your key goals within the next year. It's a must for companies looking to translate annual objectives into clear, actionable steps.

Notable Template Features : This one-year strategic business plan template is designed with simplicity in mind, featuring sections that help break down goals into achievable actions and timelines. The template’s streamlined approach ensures that you can focus on what matters most, making it easier to track progress and adjust strategies as needed.

Microsoft Word 5-Year Strategic Business Plan Template

Download the Sample 5-Year Strategic Business Plan Template for Microsoft Word Download the Blank 5-Year Strategic Business Plan Template for Microsoft Word

When to Use This Template : Use this template to lay the strategic groundwork for the medium-term achievements your organization aims to reach in the next five years. Available with or without sample text, it's perfect for transitioning from startup to established entity, allowing you to focus on expansion and scalability.

Notable Template Features : This 5-year strategic business plan template empowers you to set ambitious yet attainable goals and create strategies for market expansion. It also includes tools for financial forecasting and resource allocation, making it easier to manage growth and measure success over a longer period.

Microsoft Word Long-Term Strategic Business Plan Template

Download the Long-Term Strategic Business Plan Template for Microsoft Word

When to Use This Template : Use this template when you’re aiming for a plan of 10 years or longer and envisioning your business's journey toward long-term innovation and industry leadership.

Notable Template Features : Featuring a decade-spanning outlook, this long-term strategic plan template empowers you to set visionary goals and detailed strategies for sustainable growth and innovation. It’s designed to help you align your long-range plans with actionable steps, ensuring every department is moving toward a common, ambitious future.

Microsoft Word University Strategic Plan Outline Template

Download Sample University Strategic Plan Outline Template for Microsoft Word Download Blank University Strategic Plan Outline Template for Microsoft Word

When to Use This Template : This template helps university leaders chart a future course that enriches academic excellence and campus life. Use it during periods of strategic reflection or in advance of accreditation reviews to ensure all goals align with the institution's mission and vision.

Notable Template Features : Tailored to the academic sector, this strategic plan outline includes sections for setting educational priorities, creating a strategy for program development, and planning campus enhancements. Available with or without example text, it facilitates a comprehensive approach to institutional growth, encouraging stakeholder engagement and long-term planning for academic and infrastructural improvements.

Microsoft Word Marketing Strategic Planning Template

Download the Sample Marketing Strategic Planning Template for Microsoft Word Download the Blank Marketing Strategic Planning Template for Microsoft Word

When to Use This Template : Turn to this template when you're preparing to put a new product on the market or revamping your brand's presence. It's ideal for synchronizing your marketing initiatives with your overarching business goals.

Notable Template Features : This template with or without sample data stands out with its clear sections for defining marketing objectives, pinpointing your audience, and crafting detailed campaign strategies. It supports marketers by laying out a comprehensive plan that not only attracts but also retains customers, ensuring all marketing activities are in lockstep with the business's vision and objectives. Try the pre-filled template to see sample text, or use the blank template to fill in your own data.

Microsoft Word Nonprofit Strategic Plan Template

Download the Nonprofit Strategic Plan Template for Microsoft Word

When to Use This Template : Reach for this template when your nonprofit is gearing up for a period of strategic renewal or aiming to better align its efforts with its core mission. Helping you clearly articulate your organization's direction and impact, this tool is crucial for running annual planning sessions or preparing funding and grant applications.

Notable Template Features : This template is designed specifically for nonprofit organizations, featuring sections dedicated to mission statement clarification, stakeholder engagement strategies, and impact assessment methods. It offers a comprehensive framework for nonprofits to navigate the complexities of sustainability and mission-driven planning, ensuring every activity contributes to long-term success.

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Strategic Plan Template

Created: June 19, 2020 at 4:48 PM | Updated: February 6, 2024 | By The Wheelhouse

This one page template will help your organisation create a Strategic Plan .

It provides an outline for a group to complete a Strategic Planning document that contains:

You can download the editable template (MS Word) in the S upporting Documents  section below. Use this as a 'starter' and adapt this template to suit your organisation. 

(You'll find more templates like this at The Wheelhouse here )

Supporting documents