This is the seventh part of a ten part series on business planning. If you want to start from the beginning, sign up for the Free Weekly Business Planning Series and receive a blank business outline too!

Milestones are directly related to your business goals. Each milestone will have a series of specific tasks which must be accomplished along the way.

The milestone checklist captures the action items outlined throughout the plan and enables you to assign time lines and responsibilities.

An additional column may be added to record approximate budget allocations for specific milestones.

As you look at your entire plan, be sure to consider what might go wrong. This is not being negative, it is being prepared.

Your Assignment

Create a list of the pitfalls, regulatory issues, competitive challenges, and changing marketplace conditions that could adversely affect your business.