Quick Answer
For search, voice, and "just tell me what to do".
A one-page business plan captures only what matters for decisions: value proposition, key metrics, current priorities, and critical assumptions. AI helps maintain it by tracking metrics and flagging when assumptions need revisiting.
Key Takeaways:
- Brevity forces clarity and prioritization
- One-page plans get consulted; multi-page plans gather dust
- AI maintains the boring parts so you focus on strategy
- Decision utility beats comprehensive documentation
Playbook
Define your business in one sentence
List 3-5 key metrics that indicate success
State your top 3 priorities for next 90 days
Document critical assumptions that must be true
Identify biggest risk and mitigation strategy
Have AI track metrics and flag assumption violations
Review and revise monthly
Keep it to one page regardless of business complexity
Common Pitfalls
- Adding sections until it's no longer one page
- Including information not used for decisions
- Treating one-page format as dumbed-down planning
- Not updating because 'it's just one page'
Metrics to Track
Time since last plan review (should be < 30 days)
Decisions directly informed by plan
Assumption accuracy over time
Priority completion rate
FAQ
What should a one-page business plan include?
Value proposition, target customer, key metrics (3-5), current priorities (3), critical assumptions, main risk, and 90-day focus. Everything else is detail that can live elsewhere.
Is one page enough for serious planning?
Yes. Constraints force prioritization. If you can't explain your business on one page, complexity may be hiding confusion. Detailed planning happens in execution, not documentation.
How does AI help with a one-page plan?
AI tracks the metrics, alerts when assumptions appear invalid, suggests priority adjustments based on performance, and maintains the discipline of regular review you'd otherwise skip.
Related Reading
Next: browse the hub or explore AI Operations.