Planning is the (psychological) process of “thinking about the activities required to create a desired future on some scale” (Wikipedia 2007) . This thought process is essential to the creation and refinement of a plan, or integration of it with other plans.
Tactical development provides the specific thoughts for implementing the strategic plan. It is the procedure of assembling comprehensive decisions regarding what to do, who will do it, and how to do it.
Top level managers set very general, long-term goals that require more than one year to achieve. Examples of long-term goals include long-term growth, improved customer service, and increased profitability. Middle managers interpret these goals and develop tactical plans for their departments that can be accomplished within one year or less. In order to develop tactical plans, middle management needs detail reports (financial, operational, market, external environment). Supervisors implement operational plans that are short-term and deal with the day-to-day work of their team. Short-term goals are aligned with the long-term goals and can be achieved within one year. Supervisors set standards, form schedules, secure resources, and report progress.
The University of Rochester
Strategic Plan:
The University will present a distinguishing, student-centered undergraduate educational skill which will be exceedingly aggressive as the end result of its academic lucidity, firmness and engagement of students with faculty in the procedure of query and innovation.
Tactical plan:
Teaching and learning environments will be subjected to the general education curriculum, as well as disciplinary and interdisciplinary majors, to regular faculty review. Ensure the participation of a number of the best teachers, especially the full-time senior faculty who are actively engaged in research, in teaching general education courses. Meet the challenges of providing the class-size most appropriate to engaged and active...