Practical Business Planning

Practical business planning is a critical capability for organizations operating in competitive and global markets. This Practical Business Planning Training Course focuses on transforming business planning from a routine, finance-driven exercise into a powerful management tool that defines direction, drives accountability, and delivers measurable results. Rather than creating plans that remain unused, this course emphasizes planning as a leadership discipline supported by structured project delivery and active management engagement.

Many organizations struggle with business plans that look impressive on paper but fail during execution. This Business Planning Course addresses that challenge by demonstrating a practical and robust approach to developing a clear business vision through structured analysis, informed debate, and collaborative decision-making. Participants learn how to translate strategic intent into achievable outcomes using a coherent set of projects managed through proven project and programme management practices. The training course ensures that planning is not an isolated activity but an integrated process that aligns resources, people, and priorities across the organization.

By attending this Practical Business Planning Training Course, participants gain the skills to move from concept to execution, ensuring that business plans are relevant, realistic, and deliverable. The course highlights the importance of ownership, governance, and communication in turning plans into sustained performance improvements.

Key focus areas include:

• Business planning as a leadership and management responsibility
• Aligning strategy, financial planning, and operational delivery
• Creating a shared business vision supported by evidence-based analysis
• Converting plans into actionable projects with clear accountability
• Building a planning culture that supports continuous improvement

This Practical Business Planning Training Course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to design, develop, and deliver effective business plans that drive real organizational change.

By the end of this Business Planning Course, participants will be able to:

• Design and manage a business planning process that aligns with their organization’s structure, culture, and strategic priorities
• Identify, mobilize, and manage the resources, data, and stakeholder inputs required to create a robust and credible business plan
• Analyze the internal and external business environment to develop a plan that clearly defines and supports the desired business vision
• Integrate financial planning with strategic and operational considerations to ensure feasibility and sustainability
• Finalize, present, and communicate the business plan effectively to all stakeholders impacted by its implementation
• Direct and manage plan delivery through a coherent PRINCE2-based programme, ensuring governance, accountability, and measurable outcomes

This Practical Business Planning Training Course uses a highly interactive and structured methodology designed to bridge the gap between theory and real-world application. The course combines instructor-led discussions with practical exercises, guided analysis, and facilitated workshops that allow participants to explore planning concepts in a realistic and meaningful context. Emphasis is placed on understanding planning as a cross-business process that requires collaboration, leadership, and disciplined execution.

Participants work through a step-by-step planning journey using established frameworks and tools, including scenario-based case material. The methodology encourages debate, critical thinking, and shared learning while maintaining a strong focus on practical delivery. Concepts such as planning for effectiveness and efficiency, governance, measurement, and communication are reinforced throughout the training course to ensure long-term value.

The Business Planning Training Course also integrates project and programme management principles to demonstrate how plans are translated into deliverable initiatives. By the end of the course, participants will have a clear understanding of how to create, manage, and continuously improve a business planning process that supports organizational performance and strategic success.

This Practical Business Planning Training Course is designed for professionals who are involved in shaping, contributing to, or delivering business plans within their organizations. It is particularly valuable for individuals who need to align strategic intent with operational execution and measurable outcomes.

This Business Planning Course will benefit:

• Senior leaders within Marketing, Finance, Operations, and Human Resources functions
• Headquarters and central support staff operating in complex or multi-entity organizations
• Departmental heads responsible for delivering specific components of a business plan
• Senior programme and project management professionals overseeing plan execution
• Leaders of small and medium enterprises seeking structured and sustainable business growth
• Managers responsible for coordinating resources, performance measurement, and stakeholder communication

• COPEX Certificate of Attendance will be provided to delegates who attend and complete the course