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We tested the PlanWrite for Business version and it has a very user friendly interface and all sections of the business plan can be completed with ease. The outline is fairly comprehensive and customizable. The plan sections are fairly intuitive, but the lack of a navigation pane (plan outline) while writing the plan makes it difficult to tell what you should put in one section over the other. Each new section outlines what topics are covered and the program provides a “percent complete” indicator...however the next topics are easily forgotten while writing the plan. The toolbar is easy to use, but some features could be improved by centralizing the functions rather than having some in the toolbar and some in the menus. Also, there were some sections of the plan that could have benefited from the addition of tables. For example, the different market segments are placed into tables but then you are required to make your own breakdown of the market size within each segment using the word processor. This section also could benefit from being integrated into the sales projection models. One other thing that struck us as strange was the 3-7 page executive summary that seamed almost as comprehensive as the full plan which contained, in our opinion, some unnecessary sections. Overall, the narrative portion was above average but could use some small improvements here and there.
The financial projections are completed interview style, meaning you answer a series of questions and fill out spreadsheets that are sections or subsections of the full sets of projections. There are some real plusses here including a graphical sales projector (a feature we also liked on the PaloAlto line of products), customizable loan terms such as interest only payments, full functioning cells that allow the user to input formulas, and built in ratio analysis for dozens of industries. The downside here is limited to “nit picks” including the lack of monthly projections beyond year one, custom cell formulas did not flow through to the next year or to the scenario analysis, and adding sections and rename available sections was a little cumbersome. On that last point it would be an easy fix to add the ability to “right click” or “double click” an item to change its properties.
The program is packed with educational tidbits and we felt did the best job of ensuring entrepreneurs get the most out of the learning part planning process. The end product was pretty average and was missing some essentials such as contact information on the cover page. If BRS improved on some of the points mentioned and added a little polish it would be a top contender in the field. As it stands it is a solid choice for just about any type of planning need as it does most everything good and nothing superior.
Highs: Interface, Projections have Interview Simplicity + Spreadsheet Customization
Lows: Needs Integration, Polish, & Monthly Projections for all Years
Bottom Line: The Well Rounded Choice |
