Canadian Farm Business Advisory Services

Planning and Assessment for Value-Added Enterprises

Elements of a Follow-up Plan

Follow-up to a PAVE business plan can assist you in keeping on track with your plan by reviewing goals and assumptions and by developing new strategies where necessary. Activities associated with the implementation of a plan, including, but not limited to, legal costs, site development plans, building plans, process development, development of prototypes, product testing, product commercialization, patent applications are not eligible for reimbursement under PAVE follow-up.

Where the follow-up plan is included in your initial business plan, the following elements must be considered and included in the proposal and attached to your application:

• A schedule or timetable for follow-up of the plan (triggering events, milestones, or time)
• An explanation of how the success of the plan and the implementation of the plan will be evaluated during the follow-up
• Identification of who will be involved in the follow-up evaluation and plan adjustment process (both from within the farm business and consultants)
• A description of the anticipated steps in making any adjustments which may be required
• Any other relevant comments

Where follow-up to your initial plan will take place in subsequent years, and you have adequate funds remaining under PAVE, you must submit a new application and proposal addressing the following:

• A schedule or timetable for follow-up of the plan (triggering events, milestones, or time)
• An explanation of any measures that provide planning tools to update or modify the plan as required
• Identification of any training or skills developments which are required for you to more effectively use the management tool or to obtain financing
• An explanation of what is working, what challenges are remaining and why
• A description of next steps, new strategies, and how they will be implemented
• Any other relevant comments

Each heading must be included in all written reports however, the depth of analysis may vary, depending on modifications involved and the scope of implementation measures needed.

The headings listed below are the elements for all follow-up reports developed under the PAVE.

• Business overview
• Status of original plan
• Counselling/coaching
• Timetable
• Planning tools
• Next steps

Chapter headings and Depth of analysis

1. Business Overview

Cover Page

• Provide the business/client name, address, telephone, and fax numbers
• Explain the time period for follow-up plan, and provide the preparation date
• Provide a list of key contacts, including the consultant who prepared the plan

Table of Contents

• List headings for reader reference and convenience

Executive Summary

• Provide a summary that describes the overall follow-up and highlights the modifications and action points

2. Status of Original Plan

• Explain what is working, what challenges are remaining and why

3. Counselling/coaching

• Describe any counselling or coaching involved to prepare the client to use the plan as a management tool

4. Timetable

• Provide a schedule or timetable for follow-up (triggering events, milestones, etc.)

5. Planning tools

• Explain measures that provide planning tools to update or modify the plan as required

6. Next steps

• Provide next steps, new strategies
• Describe how these will be implemented

Preparing the Proposal and Elements of Your Plan >>