Although closely related, tactics and strategy differ significantly in business practice with each denoting different business practices. Notably, the term strategy encompasses the process of thinking that is needed in planning change in the organization. It outlines the desired objectives in planning the desired change ( Ricart et al., 2010 ). As such, it is the role of top executives to strategize and set the organization’s goals. On the other hand, tactics imply the actions done towards achieving the strategic plans. Through tactics, organizations plan the needed actions towards the attainment of the set objectives ( Haubro et al., 2015 ). Contrary to the strategic plan, tactics requires the input of lower level management who are engaged in daily operations. In understanding the differences between strategic planning and tactics, a closer look at each of them is needed. In strategic planning, the top executives in the organization seek to determine the particular outcomes desired ( Ricart et al., 2010 ). Moreover, they set the baseline from which the changes will be effected, a process that may require research. For instance, a company that sells beverages could change and set their goal at increasing sales. On the other hand, in tactical planning, the various courses of action needed to attain the strategic objectives are considered and timeframes are set for realizing the needed outcomes and results ( Haubro et al., 2015 ). Consequently, employees get down to implementing the tactical actions using the resources in the organization and under the guidance of the management. In the above example, the goal is to have an increase in sales. The tactics of attaining the goal could include advertising, with details of the same outlined across the departments involved.
References
Haubro, A. P., Lomholt, H. A., Lueg, R., Nielsen, S. V., & Knudsen, U. (2015). Tactical and strategic choices in business models: evidence from a Danish fashion outlet. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management , 19 (3), 274-289 .
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Ricart J. E & Casadesus-Masanell. (2010).From strategy to business models and onto tactics. Long range planning , 43 (2), 195-215.
