Strategic management is the combination of strategic planning, implementation, and
control. However, apart from the strategic planning, there are three different planning
which are common in management – strategic, operational, and tactical plans.
For the Strategic plan, it usually contains the answers to who, what, when, where, how, and
how much for achieving strategic goals – long term, company-wide goals established by
top management. It is concerned with the entire organization’s direction and purpose –
how it intends to grow, compete, and meet its customers’ needs over the next few years.
One of the examples is Kodak – after digital cameras debuted, analysts predicted
traditional film and processing companies like Kodak might disappear. Instead, Kodak
developed plans for developing digital photos. The first part of plan called for buying
Ofoto.com, which allows customers to keep and share their digital photos online, use
editing tools, print digital photos, choose frames, and make photo albums and gifts. Then
the company reorganized to capitalize on this trend of consumer adoption of digital
photography. Kodak’s picture maker kiosks and inkjet paper allow consumers to print their
digital photos.
Another plan is called Tactical plan. The plan is usually developed by middle managers. It
has more details, shorter time frames, and narrower scopes than a strategic plan. Therefore,
it usually spans one year or less.
The last plan is named Operational plan. It is treated as the first-line manager’s tool for
executing daily, weekly, and monthly activities. Operational plans fall into two major
categories: single-use plans and standing plans. For single-use plan, it is used for one-time
