A plan that translates broad goals into specific near-term actions is called a:

• A. Strategic
• B. Tactical
• C. Contingency
• D. Operational

Answer: (B)

Translating broad goals into specific near-term actions is tactical planning. It sits between the big-picture direction set by strategic planning and the hands-on execution of operations. Strategic planning outlines where the organization intends to go over a longer horizon and what its overall aims are. Contingency planning focuses on readying responses to unexpected events and risks. Operational planning delves into the detailed procedures and daily activities needed to carry out tasks. For example, if the broad aim is to improve community trust, a strategic plan would define that long-term goal; a tactical plan would lay out concrete steps for the next few months—specific patrol assignments, targeted outreach campaigns, and resource shifts to neighborhoods with trust concerns. The operational level would then specify exact procedures, scripts, and daily routines for officers and staff to implement those steps. The reason the tactical choice best fits the description is its emphasis on turning goals into actionable, near-term actions.