Summary: Operations & Management Plan is an essential section in your business plan. Learn from this article what are the elements you should include into this section.

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The operations and management plan describes how your business operates on a continuing basis.

This section covers things that are critical to operations such as your business’ physical location, labour, facilities, equipment and processes. This way, you will answer readers’ questions about operations without overwhelming them.

The section also highlights the management team such as the various responsibilities and tasks of the team. This is where you acknowledge your team and advisers who contribute to your business and success.

Location and Facility Management

If you have a retail location, describe the surrounding area and explain to your readers why is the location effective. 

Tell your readers how your location provides access for the clients and suppliers. For example, your location might make it convenient for your potential clients to park their cars when they come to your office.

You can also attach the drawings of the building to show its structure and size.

Operations

In this part, do indicate the operating hours such as the opening hours and shifts.

And then list out your day-to-day operation details.

You should also talk about your products and/or services that you provide, how you provide them, standard operating procedures for the process and customer services.

Inventory

The inputs that go into making your product will be your supplies and the final product will be your inventory.

So in this part, you should list your suppliers, their background their reputation.

It is also crucial to explain how you will manage your inventory. If you have too much inventory, you’re wasting money that could be put to active use elsewhere in the business.

If you have too little inventory, you might be losing out on potential sales and loyal customers. If you don’t have what they want, when they want it, they will go somewhere else, and they will likely turn to that company first the next time they need the item you used to sell them.

Management Team and Employees

Remember, your team of managers and employees play important roles in carrying out most of your company’s operating plan. Thus, it is important to describe who they are, what their qualifications are and what their responsibilities will be.

You should consider of having an organization chart that shows the hierarchical structure of your business. This will make it easy for your readers to understand.

You can also talk about how your measure employee and management performance and reward them or let them go if needed.