The Difference Between Strategy and Tactics

What is the difference between a strategy and a tactic? Is it the same thing or do they address different things? Do they relate to each other in any way? We did some research on this interesting subject and want to share the results with you in our classic compact view without sugarcoating.

Etymology

Both terms are derived from the Greek language. Strategy descents from stratēgia, which roughly translates into a military sense of generalship or a kind of advanced command. The word tactic comes from taktike, which means art of arrangement.

Difference

Strategy and tactics are not the same thing. Tactic is one component of a strategy and is per definition a means to achieve a particular objective. A strategy, on the other hand, is the overall plan that requires one or more tactics to be implemented in order to be fulfilled. Don’t pin me down on it, but to make things overly simple you could say strategy is what you want to achieve and tactics are the activities how you plan to achieve it.

Comparison

So in direct comparison, what is the difference between a strategy and an tactics?

Strategy is a larger plan that can include of several tactics
Tactics are plans or tasks that can be carried out
A strategic view is more focused on the future
A tactical view is concentrated on the present or near future

Zeitgeist and Applicability in Business

While the original concept of these two things has a focus on military applications, in modern times the terms are commonly applied in all environments of competitive nature, such as sports or business. While strategy and tactics is not the same thing, as explained above, the usage of the terms nowadays are often considered to be interchangeable. It might not be applicable generally but in many businesses a manager or team leader could be considered a tactician, while the director or CEO is more likely to be a strategist.