Business Plans Structure

Year Level

Year 11 Australian students

Duration

60 minutes

Class Size

12 students

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Unit

Navigating SME Success (Lesson 6 of 30)

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Learning Intention

Understand the structure of a business plan and its importance for SMEs.

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Success Criteria

• Identify the main components of a business plan.
• Explain the purpose of each component within the plan.
• Understand how a business plan supports SME success.

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Australian Curriculum Links

• Economics and Business Year 11-12 (v9) - Business Planning and Financial Literacy

  This lesson aligns with key aspects of the Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) learning area focusing on economics and business. While the specific v9 curriculum documents for Year 11 are not directly extracted here, foundational skills from years 7-10 such as interpreting economic information, managing financial risks and rewards, and developing responses to business issues are highly relevant and scaffold towards Year 11 competencies. Important curriculum codes to consider from previous years as foundation (for example AC9HE9S05, AC9HE8K05) include skills in:

  • Creating explanations and arguments incorporating economic and business knowledge.
  • Understanding financial planning and business processes.
  • Interpreting information and data to explain business issues and trends.
  • Developing and evaluating responses to economic and business issues.

In Year 11, students expand on these by integrating practical applications like business planning for SMEs specifically.

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Resources Needed

• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector / screen for digital presentation
• Business Plan template handout (structured outline with headings)
• Example excerpts of real SME business plans (printed or digital)
• Sticky notes & pens for group activity
• Timer to keep activities on track

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Lesson Outline

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Engage: Start with a quick discussion question: "Why do you think a business plan is important for small businesses?"
• Capture student ideas on the whiteboard.
• Explain the purpose of business plans:
  • Helps clarify business goals.
  • Guides decision making.
  • Essential for loan applications and attracting investors.
  • Acts as a roadmap for success and growth.
• State today’s learning intention and success criteria clearly.

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2. Presentation: Business Plan Components (15 minutes)

• Present the key components of a business plan using a slide or handout:
  • Executive Summary
  • Business Description & Vision
  • Market Analysis
  • Organisation & Management
  • Products or Services
  • Marketing & Sales Strategies
  • Funding Request (if applicable)
  • Financial Projections
  • Appendix (optional)
• Explain the purpose and what each section typically contains.
• Use an example from a real SME to illustrate each component briefly.

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3. Group Activity: Jigsaw Analysis (20 minutes)

• Divide students into 4 groups (3 students each).
• Assign each group 2-3 sections of the business plan to analyse.
• Provide groups with excerpts of business plans that correspond to their sections.
• Each group discusses:
  • What is the main focus of their section?
  • Why is it important for the business success?
• After 10 minutes, regroup. Each group presents their findings briefly (2 minutes per group).
• Use sticky notes to summarise key points from each group on the whiteboard under the related section heading.

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4. Whole-Class Discussion & Reflection (10 minutes)

• Recap all components and their purposes.
• Ask students: "How might this business plan help an SME owner in real decisions?"
• Discuss how a strong business plan can mitigate risks and help secure financial support.
• Link the learning to the context of Australian SMEs specifically (challenges and supports).

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5. Exit Ticket (5 minutes)

• Ask each student to write on a slip of paper:
  • One main component of a business plan.
  • One reason why this component is important.
• Collect for quick formative assessment to gauge understanding.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Formative assessment through the exit ticket and group presentations.
• Teacher notes observations during group discussions.
• Feedback focuses on correct identification of business plan components and understanding their importance.

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Differentiation

• Provide business plan excerpts at varying levels of complexity.
• Allow some students to work individually if preferred.
• Use visual aids and graphic organisers to support comprehension.
• Encourage peer support within groups.

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Extension Ideas

• Homework: Draft a one-page business plan for a hypothetical small business.
• Invite a local SME owner to share their experience with business planning.
• Use digital tools (e.g., business plan software templates) for practical application.

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By following this lesson plan, teachers will facilitate students’ deep understanding of business plans as a critical tool for SME success, directly supporting key concepts in the Australian Curriculum’s Economics and Business content area. The participatory approach combined with real examples and reflective tasks ensures relevance and engagement appropriate for Year 11 students preparing for future business environments.

This lesson is crafted to impress with its clear curriculum alignment, interactive pedagogy, and scaffolded approach to build valuable business literacy skills.