The differences between Strategic and Operational Plans
It is important for the learner to establish from the outset the difference between an "operational plan" and a "strategic planning, the two are essentially different as depicted by the table below.
The strategic plan is about setting a direction for the organisation, devising goals and objectives and identifying a range of strategies to pursue so that the organisation might achieve its goals. It is a general guide for the management of the organisation according to the priorities and goals of stakeholders. The strategic plan does NOT stipulate the day-to-day tasks and activities involved in running the organisation.
On the other hand the Operational Plan DOES present highly detailed information specifically to direct people to perform the day-to-day tasks required in the running the organisation's activities and services. Organisation personnel will frequently use the operational plan in their everyday work although it may not occur to them that they are using the operational plan. For instance, a worker in a sports organisation may need to know what is the next major event on the calendar, or perhaps they need to look up the venue of the next coaching course.
These questions could not be answered except for the existence of an operational plan.
| The differences between and operational plan and a strategic plan | |
| Strategic Plan | Operational Plan |
| A general guide for the management of the organisation | A specific plan for the use of the organisation's resources in pursuit of the strategic plan. |
| Suggests strategies to be employed in pursuit of the organisation's goals | Details specific activities and events to undertaken to implement strategies |
| Is a plan for the pursuit of the organisation's mission in the longer term (3 - 5 years) | Is a plan for the day-to-day management of the organisation (one year time frame) |
| A strategic plan enables management to formulate an operational plan. | An operational plan should not be formulated without reference to a strategic plan |
| The strategic plan, once formulated, tends not to be significantly changed every year | Operational plans may differ from year to year significantly |
| The development of the strategic plan is a shared responsibility. | The operational plan is a responsibility usually allocated to the chief executive |