Operating plan
Also called: annual operating plan, AOP
ELI5
A practical plan for running the organisation over a period.
Used in conversation
“The operating plan must connect budget, headcount and milestones.”
Definition
A plan translating strategy into actions, resources, owners, timing and measures for a defined period.
Here “Operating plan” means: A plan translating strategy into actions, resources, owners, timing and measures for a defined period.
Pitch context
You will see “Operating plan” in business pitches, proposals, executive summaries and decision decks when the discussion reaches supporting documents & leave-behinds.
Why it matters: It helps a reader interpret supporting documents & leave-behinds without confusing the measure, decision, role or evidence being discussed.
Connected terms
- Annual operating planThe search label “Annual operating plan” can route to both entries.
- PlanThe search label “Operating plan” can route to both entries.
Sources & evidence · 3
Supporting source families. This entry is an editorial synthesis rather than a quotation from one canonical glossary.
- U.S. Small Business Administration — Write your business planSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- Y Combinator — YC Startup Library — fundraising and pitching resourcesSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Small Business Capital Formation GlossarySupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16