Which term describes plans that are short-range and addressed to immediate needs?

• A. Strategic
• B. Tactical
• C. Contingency
• D. Long-range

Answer: (B)

Short-range, action-oriented planning is what tactical planning is all about. It focuses on how to address immediate needs and current conditions with concrete steps, concrete timelines, and the deployment of people and resources in the near term. In practice, a tactical plan translates broader goals into doable actions you can implement now or within a few hours or days—like coordinating patrols for tonight’s shift, setting up a temporary incident response, or detailing specific procedures for a current operation.

This contrasts with strategic planning, which is about long-term direction, overarching objectives, and resource commitments over years. Contingency planning covers backup options for potential events or failures, but its emphasis is on alternatives rather than the immediate execution of current tasks. Long-range planning is oriented toward future horizons and enduring goals rather than immediate needs.

So, for plans that are short-range and aimed at addressing immediate needs, the term that fits best is tactical planning.