Lesson Plan

• Describe the purpose and key components of a business plan.
• Explain at least three benefits of using a business plan for entrepreneurs and investors.
• Analyse the main limitations and risks associated with business plans.
• Evaluate how to balance detail and flexibility when creating a plan.
• Apply a simple framework to assess a business plan’s suitability for a specific audience.

• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• Printed handouts summarising benefits and limitations
• Sample excerpts from real business plans
• Whiteboard markers and flip chart
• Sticky notes for group activity
• Laptop with internet access for research

Start with a quick poll: who has ever drafted or reviewed a business plan? Connect this to students’ prior experience of planning everyday tasks and highlight that a solid plan can guide a new venture. Explain that today’s success criteria are to identify key benefits, recognise limitations, and propose ways to keep a plan useful.

1. Do‑now (5’) – Students list what they think a business plan includes; share responses.
2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Define a business plan, outline its main sections, and show a simple example.
3. Benefits exploration (10’) – In pairs, analyse a handout of benefits and create a 1‑minute poster.
4. Limitations discussion (10’) – Whole‑class debate on drawbacks; teacher records points on the board.
5. Comparative analysis activity (15’) – Groups fill a T‑chart comparing benefits vs. limitations for a case study and present key findings.
6. Reflection & exit ticket (5’) – Students write one actionable tip for keeping a plan flexible and submit it.

Recap that business plans provide direction and credibility but must be regularly reviewed to stay relevant. For the exit ticket, pupils note one benefit and one limitation they found most compelling. Homework: research a real company’s executive summary and write a brief critique of its strengths and gaps.