Business plans come in various shapes and sizes, but they can be roughly divided into four distinct types.
The Mini plan: This is a plan you can read or download quickly. It will include most of the same ingredients as a longer plan but will cut to the highlights. It’s all you typically need for a small-business venture and could give you a competitive advantage.
The Presentation Plan: PowerPoint presentations have changed the way many business plans are presented. Presenting your business plan as a deck can be very powerful.
The Working Plan: This is a tool you use to operate your business. It should be long on detail but short on presentation. It is a plan that is generally intended for internal use.
The What-If Plan: A variant on your working plan is good to have should you face unusual circumstances. For example, you might want to prepare a contingency plan when you’re looking for bank financing.