A great idea that has been carefully planned out and is guaranteed to sell still has to be made or acquired. You can't sell what you don't have. Although your operations plan will differ depending on whether you are a manufacturer, retailer, or service provider, all companies need to detail the main activities of their business. The components of any operation can be broken down into five basic questions:

• What - is the process of production and manufacturing/what does the service entail?
  
  
• Who - are the people in charge of, and involved with, your operations?
  
  
• How - is it going to be done? The technology and facilities required, manufacturing processes, training required, etc.
  
  
• When - should things be ready? Production timing, the operating cycle, seasonal considerations, etc.
  
  
• Where - are you operating? The geographic location, facility considerations, distribution logistics.
  
  
  

In this section we will be talking about businesses that sell goods. After that we'll look at service-based businesses.