Business Plan ProjectISM 158, Spring 2007The objective of this project is to put together a business plan that sets out the strategic direction for a company utilizing information technology. The two primary objectives are:(1) To make realistic projections of opportunities and risks(2) To present these in a compelling way that would attract funding and support from the organizationYou may select your own startup idea, or work with one of the following scenarios. Note that one option is a business plan for a start-up idea, the other isproposing a business plan for implementation within an existing business environment.Option 1: One-Number Voice CommunicationYou have developed software to integrate all of the voice connections in someone’s life. With a single phone number and/or user name, your friends or colleagues could call your home, work and mobile phones as well as your online voice account. Each user can set the system to recognize where you are, and one integrated voicemail system consolidates messages in one location. Create a business plan of how you would go about releasing this product, what market segments you would target, what the potential revenue and costs would be, and what risks there are. Indicate more than one potential fee structure, and which you anticipate would be the most attractive.Option 2: Campus Transportation Network Management You have been assigned by the director of operations for TAPS on campus to runa more cost-effective, efficient bus service. You have developed a system where the current combination of city buses and campus transport would be enhanced by detailed forecasting of demand as well as online response to fluctuations. Forexample, this could involve a less structured timetable, and more back-up capacity. For example, by installing cameras at each bus stop to monitor how many people are waiting, the manager could send extra buses in response to high demand.Create a business plan of how a program like this could be released, including the technology requirements and costs. Pay attention to risks to the existing infrastructure including what partnerships would need to be entered into.Business Plan should include:• Executive Summary• Less than a page overview of the idea• Customer Need and Business Opportunity• An argument for the potential of the product or idea• Business Strategy and Key Milestones• Plan a timeline over about five years• Marketing Plan• Who is the intended customer?• How will you convince them to adopt the product?• Operations Plan• What is needed to pull this off?• Management and Key Personnel• How many people• How will the organization be structured, and what changes are needed?• Give brief profiles of key individuals• Financial ProjectionsEstimates:You are not expected to know exact numbers for costs etc. but the estimates should be realistic. Use charts and tables wherever appropriate. Venture capitalists and CEO’s do not like to do more work than they have to in evaluating.Project Due date: May 24Optional Early Draft: May 15 (get instructor
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