How to Write a Business Plan in 30-Minutes - LivePlan
To write a simple business plan your best option is to use the one-page plan format. It covers the essentials of a business plan in the most basic way possible.
growth planning
With an initial plan in place, you’re primed to use a process known as <anchor>growth planning</anchor> that helps both startups and existing businesses grow more quickly and nimbly than their competitors.
Growth Planning | LivePlan
Growth Planning \| LivePlan

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## What's your business goal?

See how the growth planning process can help you achieve it.

[Validate a business idea](/the-growth-planning-process-for-ideas) [Launch a startup](/the-growth-planning-process-for-startups) [Grow your business](/the-growth-planning-process-for-established-businesses)

Growth Planning

# Plan a little,   grow a lot

Don't tie your business to a rigid 40-page plan.

Instead, adopt a ‘Growth Planning’ mindset that helps you:

- Quickly adapt to change and be ready for anything
- Stay focused on your goals
- Make decisions that drive revenue

[See The Process](#process)

![Growth Planning](https://web-cdn.paloalto.com/liveplan/growth-planning-pages/growth-planning-hero-wide.jpg?format=auto&quality=80&width=960&height=600)

## Traditional business plans weren't designed for today's economy

Markets change faster than ever. Technology evolves at breakneck speed. And the pandemic has forever transformed the way we think about ‘work’.

A rigid 40+ page business plan can't keep up.

### They take too long to write

It can take days — or even weeks — to write a formal business plan. That's on top of all the research required.

### They're outdated almost instantly

You can't update traditional business plans quickly as markets change and your business evolves.

### They're too difficult to put into action

It's tough to implement a business strategy when the most important details are buried within a massive document.

#### Applying for funding?

Some lenders, such as banks and government agencies will require a traditional full-length business plan. [Learn More](/features)

## The process is now more important than the plan

### Growth planning is a quicker, more flexible way to figure out what works for your business — **no matter what stage you’re at**.

![Workers on a farm with overlayed LivePlan graphics](https://web-cdn.paloalto.com/liveplan/growth-planning-pages/tablet-process.jpg?format=auto&width=585&height=388)

I have a

business ideaI’m starting

a businessI’m running

a business

![Man on phone with overlayed LivePlan graphics](https://web-cdn.paloalto.com/liveplan/growth-planning-pages/idea-process.jpg?format=auto&width=500&height=500)

Idea Stage Businesses

#### Grow your idea into a great business

- ![Plan Icon](https://web-cdn.paloalto.com/liveplan/growth-planning-pages/icons/growth-plan.svg?format=auto&width=40&height=40)**Plan:** outline your idea
- ![Forecast Icon](https://web-cdn.paloalto.com/liveplan/growth-planning-pages/icons/growth-forecast.svg?format=auto&width=40&height=40)**Forecast:** talk to ideal customers
- ![Review Icon](https://web-cdn.paloalto.com/liveplan/growth-planning-pages/icons/growth-review.svg?format=auto&width=40&height=40)**Review:** examine your feedback
- ![Refine Icon](https://web-cdn.paloalto.com/liveplan/growth-planning-pages/icons/growth-refine.svg?format=auto&width=40&height=40)**Refine:** ensure your idea works

[Learn More About The Process](/the-growth-planning-process-for-ideas)

![Woman working in shop with overlayed LivePlan graphics](https://web-cdn.paloalto.com/liveplan/growth-planning-pages/startup-process.jpg?format=auto&width=500&height=500)

Startups

#### Increase your odds of success

- ![Plan Icon](https://web-cdn.paloalto.com/liveplan/growth-planning-pages/icons/growth-plan.svg?format=auto&width=40&height=40)**Plan:** clarify your vision
- ![Forecast Icon](https://web-cdn.paloalto.com/liveplan/growth-planning-pages/icons/growth-forecast.svg?format=auto&width=40&height=40)**Forecast:** set your goals
- ![Review Icon](https://web-cdn.paloalto.com/liveplan/growth-planning-pages/icons/growth-review.svg?format=auto&width=40&height=40)**Review:** stay on track
- ![Refine Icon](https://web-cdn.paloalto.com/liveplan/growth-planning-pages/icons/growth-refine.svg?format=auto&width=40&height=40)**Refine:** achieve success faster

[Learn More About The Process](/the-growth-planning-process-for-startups)

![Workers on a farm with overlayed LivePlan graphics](https://web-cdn.paloalto.com/liveplan/growth-planning-pages/established-process.jpg?format=auto&width=500&height=500)

Established Businesses

#### Confidently grow your business

- ![Plan Icon](https://web-cdn.paloalto.com/liveplan/growth-planning-pages/icons/growth-plan.svg?format=auto&width=40&height=40)**Plan:** examine your goals
- ![Forecast Icon](https://web-cdn.paloalto.com/liveplan/growth-planning-pages/icons/growth-forecast.svg?format=auto&width=40&height=40)**Forecast:** build a roadmap
- ![Review Icon](https://web-cdn.paloalto.com/liveplan/growth-planning-pages/icons/growth-review.svg?format=auto&width=40&height=40)**Review:** spot opportunities
- ![Refine Icon](https://web-cdn.paloalto.com/liveplan/growth-planning-pages/icons/growth-refine.svg?format=auto&width=40&height=40)**Refine:** grow your business

[Learn More About The Process](/the-growth-planning-process-for-established-businesses)

## Research shows that the principles of Growth Planning drive success

30%

### Faster Growth

Businesses that continually track against their plan grow 30% faster than those that don't, according to a study in the _Journal of Management Studies_.

40%

### Higher Achievement

Documenting and reviewing your goals makes you 40% more likely to achieve them, according to a study by the Dominican University of California.

129%

### Stronger Start

Entrepreneurs with a plan are 129% more likely to push forward with their business beyond the initial startup phase and grow it, according to a study in the journal _Small Business Economics_.

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