What is the executive summary of a business plan?
Christopher Davis
Updated on March 04, 2026
The executive summary should be only a page or two. In it, you may include your mission and vision statements, a brief sketch of your plans and goals, a quick look at your company and its organization, an outline of your strategy, and highlights of your financial status and needs.
Why should the executive summary which is one of the first things that appears in a business plan be written last?
Although it leads off the very beginning of your business plan, the executive summary should be written last. That way, you can cull information from the rest of the document and make certain there are no inconsistencies throughout.
How do you write a short executive summary?
How to Write an Effective Executive Summary
- Executive summaries should include the following components:
- Write it last.
- Capture the reader’s attention.
- Make sure your executive summary can stand on its own.
- Think of an executive summary as a more condensed version of your business plan.
- Include supporting research.
How do you start an executive summary?
Introduce: Begin with a brief introduction that states the purpose and major points of the report. Discuss the Main Points: Include a level heading for each main point you will cover; these headings should appear in the same order as they do in the full report. Write a brief paragraph for each main point.
What is executive summary sample?
The executive summary goes near the beginning of the plan but is written last. It should provide a short, concise and optimistic overview of your business that captures the reader’s attention and gives them an interest in learning more about it.
What are the elements of an executive summary?
Elements to Include in Your Executive Summary
- Summary.
- Company description.
- Market Analysis.
- Organization description.
- Management team.
- Product line.
- Marketing plan.
- Funding request and use.
What is an executive summary of a business plan?
What is an Executive Summary? An executive summary is the first section of a business plan or proposal that provides a brief overview of the document and contains its main points. In other words, it is a condensed version of a complete business plan or proposal.
Which is the best way to write an executive summary?
The easiest way of writing the executive summary is to review your business plan and take a summary sentence or two from each of the business plan sections you’ve already written. If you compare the list above to the sections outlined in the Business Plan Outline , you’ll see that this could work very well.
Which is the most important section of a business plan?
The executive summary is probably the most important section of the business plan. Bankers and venture capitalists generally do not read through the entire business plan when it is presented to them. They go through the executive summary and only if their interest is piqued, will they go to the following sections.
What should be included in a business summary?
Business Highlights – describe the evolution of the business – how it has grown, including year-over-year revenue increases, profitability, increases in market share, number of customers, etc. Financial Summary – if the purpose of updating the business plan is to seek additional financing for expansion, then give a brief financial summary.
