Difference Between Tactics And Strategy

Although the two words may sound similar in nature, tactics and strategy are two different things. Sure, both strategy and tactics are used in sports, personal life, military, in business, and in many other walks of life, but they are not the same. Today, we are here to discover what exactly tactics and strategy are, what makes them similar, and what makes them different. 

What are Tactics?

A tactic or tactics are certain steps or actions, as well as techniques, that can be used to achieve a variety of goals, often short-term or immediate. Tactics are generally a part of a larger strategy. For example, the strategy is what is being done to achieve a certain goal, but the tactics are how those goals are achieved. 

Tactics may be viewed as individual actions or choices made to navigate one’s way through a challenge. For example, in war, a tactic to prevent airplane raids from occurring may be to use radar as an early detection system. Tactics are the “how”, and as you’ll see below, this differs from strategy. 

What is Strategy?

Strategy is more long-term in nature. It’s about creating a series of goals or a plan that are meant to achieve a specific goal or goals, and these are generally longer term. A strategy involves making decision, allocating resources, prioritizing, and choosing tactics to help the strategy become successful. 

Whereas tactics are about the how, strategy is more about the why and the what. For example, in war, a strategy may be to completely dominate the skies to win the war, and this would then use tactics such as using radar to detect incoming raids. 

Similarities Between Tactics and Strategy

There are some similarities shared between strategy and tactics worth noting, so let’s take a quick look.

Need to Adapt

Both of these terms require the ability to adapt to changing conditions and challenges. 

Need for Planning

Although the two may be different, both tactics and strategy require careful planning and the precise execution of actions to achieve a specific goal. 

They Have Goals

Although tactics may be lower down on the totem pole than strategy, they are both about goals. Tactics are generally about short-term goals, whereas strategies are longer term. 

Allocation of Resources

Both strategy and tactics require the careful allocation of resources to make goals come to light. 

Differences Between Tactics and Strategy 

Just like there are similarities between tactics and strategy, so are there differences. 

Scope and Duration

Strategy deals with the “big picture”, and “long term” targets, whereas the tactics are just about short-term and immediate actions. Strategy may cover the period of several years, identifying the stages of the plan, whereas tactics could be modified daily, weekly or even hourly.

Focus

The operating principle is to provide vision for the organization or individual by accomplishing beyond the ordinary. Techniques emphasize implementation of the strategy by spotting grey areas, dealing with the operational part of achieving strategic goals.

Level of Detail

Tactics entail a more detailed and specific approach than strategy, which is directed at the larger picture and principles. While not thinking about the possibility to achieve objectives, strategy tells us what we want, tactics – tells us what we need to do to reach them.

Flexibility

 Tactics are generally more flexible and can be changed more readily to respond to immediate situations or emerging patterns that require further attention. Strategy serves as a beacon of stability as its design largely remains unchanged for a relatively long time.

Measurement

The most common measurement is to evaluate the efficiency of tactics in having short term results which can be seen in periods of time in the near future. Lasting benefits are a long-term result of strategy, and sometimes it takes several years before success of the strategy can be determined.

Tactics vs Strategy 

FAQ

Which comes first, strategy or tactics?

The strategy comes first because it defines the overall goals and direction, and tactics then follow afterwards to help achieve those goals. 

Why the difference matters between strategy and tactics?

If you don’t understand the difference between strategy and tactics, making sure that your tactics and strategy align is hard. 

What is the difference between social strategy and tactics?

A social strategy is about long term goals as far as social platforms are concerned, whereas tactics help to achieve those same goals. 

What are the 3 basics of strategy?

The three basic forms of strategy are allocating resources, setting objectives, and analyzing the environment. 

What are 3 differences between strategy and tactics?

Tactics are short term whereas strategy is long term. Tactics are narrow whereas strategies are broad. Strategy is about the direction, whereas tactics are about execution. 

What is an example of a tactical plan?

An example would be a marketing team creating daily actions to improve their marketing results. 

What is an example of a tactical decision?

The decision of a store manages to have a clearance sale to get rid of inventory is a tactical decision. 

What is the major difference between strategic and tactical planning?

The major difference is that tactical planning is about achieving singular short term goals, whereas strategic planning is more about the bigger picture. 

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