Strategic and tactical planning allows you to implement the basic management functions of any organization. Especially if you use specially developed programs and projects as additional tools with subsequent monitoring of their quality implementation.
The definition of tasks and goals that are set by company management precedes strategic planning. Only the development of a clear plan will contribute to the implementation of such managerial functions as motivation, organization and control.
The basis of the organization’s functioning is strategic planning, in which organizational issues and the problems of resource allocation, forecasting, adaptation to the environment and the internal organization of the enterprise’s work should be addressed.
Tactical planning is closely related to it and consists in clarifying, correcting, supplementing and concretizing the developed strategy. By tactics, it is necessary to understand the planning of certain actions that represent quite effective methods for achieving the goals outlined in the plan. In other words, a tactical approach to planning is a form of expression of a strategic direction.
Tactical planning with strategic has related goals, the essence of which is to determine the ways by which the company should strive to achieve its goals and objectives. This is a kind of detailed planning, development and definition of activities. Tactics are certain stages, steps to achieve the goal that is provided for in the strategy.
For a better understanding of what tactical planning is, it is necessary to consider in detail its main differences from strategic.
Firstly, these two concepts differ from each other in the detail of their plans. In strategic planning, a general line of the enterprise’s functioning is built, and in tactical planning, programs are formed that take into account small details of the subject’s life.
Secondly, the strategy involves the preparation of plans for the long term. And tactics are short-term planning.
Thirdly, these two concepts differ from each other in terms of specialists who, as a result, must make a decision. So, in the preparation of strategic plans, decision-making is assigned to senior management. Tactical planning is considered by numerous mid-level professionals.
Fourth, when drafting a strategy, tasks and problems that are rarely encountered in the course of a company’s activity should be considered, and when planning for a short-term period, regular problematic issues should be addressed.
Fifth, the difference between the two planning methods is in the number of alternatives. With strategic - a large number of alternatives, with tactical - there are very few.
The short-term planning process consists of preparing a plan and approving or adopting it. At the same time, preparation includes the collection and systematization of information with subsequent refinement for updating. Based on the data obtained, their analysis and refinement of tasks, planning goals, as well as the preparation of measures to achieve them are carried out. In the case when there are no objections to the plan by the specialists of the enterprise, it is approved by the head.
Also, tactical planning can be ongoing or operational. The manager of the enterprise, who can plan the work of the company for a day or a month, is mainly responsible for this area of work.