Planning at Different
Levels in the Firm
Lyngel Joie Grande
Planning at the different levels of management include:
Strategic planning
Tactical planning
Operational planning
Top-level Management Planning
(Strategic planning)
Top-level managers are responsible for the organization’s strategic planning which involves
making decisions about the organization’s long term goals and strategies.
 CEOs, company presidents, or the organization’s senior executives develop and execute the
said strategic plan.
They do not formulate or execute the plan on their own; a management team supports and
helps top-level managers in carrying out these tasks.
Strategic Planning starts with defining the organization’s goals/objectives, the major
targets related to maintaenance of the organization stability, and its organzational
culture,values, and growth improving its productivity, profitability, effectiveness, and efficiency,
among others.
Middle-level Management Planning
(Tactical Planning)
Tactical planning refers to a set procedures for changing
or transforming broad strategic goals and plans into specific
goals and plans that are applicable and needed in one
unit/portion of the organization. It is focused on major actions
that must be done by a unit in order to contribute it share for
the achievement of the strategic plan.
1.Strategic Planning
Organization mission
Organization goals
2.Tactical Planning
Organization objectives
Department objectives
Division objectives
3.Tactical Planning
Department objectives
Individual objectives
Frontline/Lower-Level Management Planning
(Operational Planning)
Operational Planning involves identifying the specific
procedures and processes required at the lower levels of
the organization.This also involves routine tasks or task
repeatedly done by the organization’s lower level units.
Integrating Strategic, Tactical, and Operational Planning
The present organizational planning is not as rigid as the hierarchical planning earlier discussed
in this chapter. Managers in different hierarchical levels of the organization may contribute
their ideas or suggestions in developing the strategic plan, a task originally assigned to the
senior executives. Also, frontline managers may take decisions that could influence strategy
formulation in the higher levels.
All plans, however, must be directed toward the achievement of the organization’s
strategic goals. Finally,CEOs or company presidents must see to it that all communication lines
in their organization are open, that there is exellent dissemination of information to all levels,
and that they are aware of everything that is happening in their firm.
Thank you!