Planning levels : operational, tactical and strategic

The difference is related to the time horizon and level of commitment(in terms of resources required to be used) involved with planning. Strategic planning involves long term planning often involving time scales measured in years or at least a year. It often involves committing large amounts of resources in service of the strategy (including financial, human and capital resources).. Strategic planning is often developed by senior members of the management of an organisation. The Chief executive and other directors usually have a large amount of input into strategy formation.
The tactical planning stage involves trying to implement the overall strategy and objectives of the organisation using tactics consistent with overall strategy. It often involves shorter time horizons in terms of planning. It may involve planning horizons in terms of quarters or months instead of years. Generally, it will also involve lower levels of resource commitments. These resources commitments and tactics may be decided upon by senior managers of divisions or strategic business units rather than by directors of the organisation.
Operational planning involves the day to day operations of an organisation at the “ground level”. The time scales involved will often be daily or weekly. The resource commitments will be low. The operational plans may be formulated by area or branch managers or lower levels of management of an organisation. Operational plans should be consistent with tactical and strategic plans and should be about implementing the overall strategy.
The levels are not always clear cut- some tactical decisions may be considered strategic in nature or be incorporated over time into the strategy of an organisation.