What is the Difference Between Strategic and Tactical Planning?
The difference between strategic and tactical planning is about focus:
- Strategic Planning. At the strategic level, an organization employs available resources to secure its business goals & objectives (e.g., corporate business plan).
- Operational Planning. At the operational level, an organization uses available resources to attain those strategic goals & objectives within a specific Line of Business (LOB).
- Tactical Planning. At a tactical level, departments/teams employ techniques/procedures to support operational objectives, as defined by the LOB.
Key distinctions between strategic and tactical planning include:
- Time Horizon: Strategy is long-term (years), while tactics are short-term (immediate to months).
- Focus: Strategy is conceptual and directional, while tactics are practical and execution oriented.
- Flexibility: Strategies tend to be more stable but adaptable, while tactics are more flexible and can change quickly.
- Decision Level: Strategic decisions are made by senior leadership, while tactical decisions are typically managed by low-level managers or supervisors.
Strategy sets the destination, while tactics are where the rubber meets the road. Tactical efforts must be consistent with and support strategic priorities.