Which of the following correctly matches the level of planning for Strategic, Tactical, and Operational objectives?

• A. Strategic: long-term; Tactical: medium- and short-term; Operational: day-to-day
• B. Strategic: day-to-day; Tactical: long-term; Operational: medium-term
• C. Strategic: short-term; Tactical: long-term; Operational: day-to-day
• D. Strategic: day-to-day; Tactical: day-to-day; Operational: long-term

Answer: (C)

Planning in organizations happens across different time horizons. Strategic planning looks far ahead, shaping the overall direction and long-term goals. Tactical planning translates that direction into medium- and near-term actions and resource allocations. Operational planning handles the day-to-day activities that keep the organization running.

The best match is when strategic planning is long-term, tactical planning covers medium- and nearer-term actions, and operational planning focuses on day-to-day activities. This alignment keeps the big goals connected to mid-term plans and the everyday operations required to implement them. The other options misplace horizons—for example, placing strategic on a day-to-day timescale or swapping long-term and short-term between levels—so they don’t fit how these planning levels typically work.