Project Operations

How is this thing meant to work?

A good business plan has a short, clear description of the idea in one sentence. It also has a detailed map of the steps for getting the new venture launched and into a sustainable mode, with revenues covering expenses. That means details about all aspects of the operation:

• People
• Materials
• Equipment
• Insurance
• Hours of operation
• Timeline for the start-up phase
• Budget assumptions for revenue (e.g., volume of customers, price, start-up funds, membership fee structure) and cost (rent, computers, materials, personnel, gas for the van)

We will talk more later about finances; at this point, note that the operational details are completely intertwined with cost and revenue.

For example, in their business plan the Dare County Health Department succinctly described their idea in this sentence: "The mission of the Miles of Smiles program is to provide access to dental care and oral health education to low-income and underserved children ages 1–19 living in Dare and Hyde counties, North Carolina." In their project operations and management section they described key staff and their roles, the daily operations, and how they would manage information. They also included a timeline that laid out by what date they would sign agreements, purchase the van, hire staff, and begin service.