Planning is at the heart of management and writing an effective business plan is essential when thinking about and creating a new venture. Venture planning is important whether the opportunity is a new business, a new activity in an existing business, a public sector development requiring investment, or a not-for-profit project. Luke Pittaway's new textbook is ideal for all students who are engaged in the practical process of writing a business plan. Its practical orientation, user-friendly pedagogic features and accompanying website resources take the student through the process of writing a business plan from the generation of the initial idea to an assessment of issues such as the forms of funding available - with the outcome being the successful completion of a business plan appropriate to its context and purpose.