Done by all organizations,
although not necessarily
done well.

Done by few organizations.

Conducted every few years.

Driven by the
organizational vision,
that is, what the
organization wants to
become.

Focuses on a department or
other organizational unit

Focuses on the
overall organization

Think short term as in
hours, days, and months.

Think long term as in several
years or more.

Make quick or timely
decisions which, once made,
often cannot be "taken
back."

Deliberate long before
making a decision.
Some decisions can be
modified and a few
can be reversed.

Requires courage to resolve
difficult personnel, budget,
and other difficult issues.

Requires creativity to
imagine future conditions
and conceive new,
appropriate ways
to prepare for them.

Leads to strategic planning
ideas if done thoughtfully.

Depends on operations
if it is to be
implemented

Although very different, as
outlined here, operations
and strategic planning are
interdependent --
one cannot successfully
exist without the other