ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces business planning by identifying some of the factors which have lead to its widespread adoption. Whilst business planning has traditionally been undertaken for the 'whole' organisation seeking finance, this is increasingly being extended to smaller units within organisations. Business planning provides a means for ensuring that the direction and operation of the school is appropriate to the needs of pupils and other stakeholders. If business planning works well it will become an integrated part of the management process, and a constant but not dominant part of school life. There are as many definitions of business planning as there are organisations. The approach to business planning advocated encompasses both the long- and short-term dimensions within a single process and document. There is a need to ensure that those involved in business planning have a shared understanding of what constitutes a good business plan. The chapter concludes with the introduction of a business planning model.
