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Business Planning 101 Curriculum | Opportunity Analysis | Plan Evaluations
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Three judges will evaluate your plan. The following evaluations will be used to determine your score.
Written plan evaluation = 40% of your total score
Presentation evaluation = 20% of your total score
Viability evaluations = 40% of your total score
Part I: Written Business Plan (40% of overall evaluation)
Based on individual judges' analysis.
(Rating system: 1= very poor, 2= poor, 3= fair/average, 4= good, 5= very good)
In rating 1-6, the following questions will be considered:
- Is this area covered in adequate detail?
- Does the plan show a clear understanding of the elements that should be addressed?
- Are the assumptions realistic and reasonable?
- Are the risks identified and the ability to manage those risks conveyed?
1. Executive Summary: (Clear, exciting and effective as a stand alone overview of the plan)
2. Background: (Business purpose, history, genesis of concept, current status, overall strategy, organizational culture and values)
3. Products or Services: (Description, features and benefits, pricing, proprietary protection)
4. Market and Marketing Strategy: (Description of market, competitive analysis, needs identification, competitive analysis, customer profile, sales/promotion, potential share, selling premise)
5. Operations: (Plan for production/delivery of product or services, product cost, margins, operational complexity, resources required, timing, practices and procedures, technology)
6. Management: (Projected backgrounds of key individuals, ability to execute strategy, personnel needs and organization structure)
7. Summary Financials: (Presented in summary form and are easy to read and understand. Consistent with good accounting practices and effective in capturing financial performance, monthly for year 1, quarterly for years 2-3)
a.) Cash Flow Statement
b.) Income Statement
c.) Balance Sheet
d.) Funds Required/Uses
e.) Break-Even Analysis
f.) Assumptions/Trends/Comparatives
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8. Analysis: (Financial and non financial risk, ROI, other financial indicators, milestones, impact on customers, impact on competitive advantage)
9. Viability: (Market opportunity, distinctive competence, team understanding, success potential, worth the effort)
10. Brevity and Clarity: (Is the plan well written with not more than 10 pages and with minimal redundancy)
Part II: Team Presentation (20% of overall evaluation)
Based on individual judges' analysis.
(Rating system: 1= very poor, 2= poor, 3= fair/average, 4= good, 5= very good)
1. Formal Presentation: (15 minutes)
a.) Materials presented in clear, logical and/or sequential form
b.) Ability to relate need for the company with meaningful examples and practical applications
c.) Ability to maintain judges' interest
d.) Quality of visual aids
e.) Use of time allocated (minimal redundancy)
2. Questions and Answers (10 minutes)
a.) Ability to understand judges' inquiries
b.) Appropriately respond to judges' inquiries with substantive answers
c.) Use of time allocated (minimal redundancy)
d.) Poise and confidence (think effectively on their feet)
Part III: Viability of Venture (40% of overall evaluation)
Based on group discussion, written plan, and analysis by judges.
(rating system: 1= very poor, 2 = poor, 3 = fair/average, 4 = good, 5 = very good)
1. Market Opportunity: (there is a clear market need presented as well as a way to take advantage of that opportunity)
2. Distinctive Competence: (The plan provides something novel/unique/creative that gives it a competitive advantage of that opportunity)
3. Management Capability: (This team identified can effectively develop this company the risks associated with the venture)
4. Financial Understanding: (This team has a solid understanding of the financial requirements of the business)
5. Success Potential: (The business represents a real opportunity and fits with their stated business strategy)
6. Judges Pick: (This part of the viability review allows the judge to award points to the plan with the most potential)
