Overview
An
organization can be looked at from an orchestra point of view. There are various teams
each with a specific role to play. Each team must, in turn, work together with other
teams to produce a unitary composed piece of music. This happens under the watchful eye
of the conductor.
Businesses operate on the same
principles. The overall objective is to provide a service, or produce goods to meet
market demand. Teams are divided into departments, each with a leader. Departmental
heads then answer to the overall leader, the chief executive officer. To achieve these
objectives, several plans and strategies must be laid down. We shall look at strategic
plans, tactical plans and operational plans and how each fits into the main
picture.
Strategic
plans
Strategic plans refer to the process
of defining a firm’s goals and how these will be achieved. The management decides on
guiding philosophies, corporate values and how the firm will act in attaining its
objectives.
Strategic plans are geared towards defining who
a firm’s clients are or who they should be. They are time specific covering time frames
of between 2 to 5 years, but this may vary with an organisation. Strategic plans involve
the management at all levels.
In strategic planning, the
anticipated outcome must be clearly defined under an objectives umbrella. They must also
show how the achieved results will be measured. In addition you must establish a
starting point. Research should be done to understand the market the firm operates in
and what kind of competition it faces. After this, objectives are listed together with
tactics to achieve these objectives. The plans should reflect anticipated challenges as
well as the end result.
Tactical
plans
Tactical plans, on the other hand, are
a combination of all actions that will be taken to implement the laid down strategy. If
the firm’s strategy is to be the market leader in the industry, then the tactical plans
will outline what steps are to be taken in order to achieve
this.
Tactics used by companies include, recruitment of the
most qualified personnel, headhunting from competitors or carrying out aggressive
marketing campaigns. No single tactic can work on its own, thus the management combines
all personnel, financial resources and other tools at their disposal. Tactical plans are
usually action oriented.
While strategic planning deals
with defining the goals, tactical plans identify action needed to achieve those goals.
Tactical plans are best drafted by personnel entrusted with the daily organization’s
activities. The plan helps in knowing the what, when and how of the tactical
plan.
Operational
plans
Operational plans involve conversion
of strategized goals and objectives into execution. This is the ultimate stage of all
business planning processes. It is the defining of a business roadmap on how to achieve
the desired outcome. At this stage, it is all systems go as the organisation embarks on
achieving its goals. Nothing is left to chance. It is also serves as a reality check to
test the credibility of the laid down plans, more so a moment of
truth.
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