How Do You Use Your Written Business Plan?

[Craig Bowen]

Ok, in my quest to over-analyze everything to the Nth degree, I have a question for those of you who have a written business plan and actually use it.

I have owned several businesses over the years and have written plans for each one.  After starting out like a house afire (maybe not a good analogy on this site), and writing a beautiful plan, I may or may not use it to obtain funding, and then once I was up and running I may or may not (mostly not) ever look at it again.

Already I have written a beautiful plan for flipping when I discovered I left out half of my strategy which is to buy and hold as well....plus now I want to go back and add the BRRRRRRRR to it!!

So, all of this leads me to ask if there are any of you who really USE a Bizz Plan.  I always envision myself updating it religiously and modifying it as I go forward, and making sure that all my key partners receive regular versions....and ....then....I.....kinda.....peter.....out.

Suggestions and examples of how you use your plan and times when it has proved beneficial for all the work you put into it would be motivating, educational and very much appreciated!!