Your focus in planning will primarily be short term, on operational planning. Although you should understand corporate strategic planning, you are less likely to be involved in it than those in top management. I’ll address the elements of strategic planning in this chapter, but my major focus here—as yours should be—will be on unit goals and plans that contribute to the overall corporate mission.
To understand the difference between strategic plans and operational plans, think of them from a military perspective. Strategic plans are the basis of a major battle or an entire war, while tactical and operational plans deal with engagements or skirmishes.