Strategies, tactics, and measurement are often poorly defined and disconnected from each other. The document provides definitions to clarify them: a strategy establishes goals and evaluates tactics to improve operations; tactics use best practices and strategic direction to improve operations; measurement involves both project and strategic metrics. Good strategies, tactics, and measurement are well-defined, connected to each other, and help evaluate progress towards goals. The document stresses that strategies should guide tactics and measurement, and tactical execution and goals should align with measurement.
25. Questions If strategies guide tactics, does this mean that a strategy never (or shouldn’t change) during the tactical phase? Is a robust project management process, tools, etc. required to even begin strategy or tactics? What if we’re already in the middle of all this? Is there a way to get “back on track” without starting over? Do we need to staff a strategist on tactical projects? Were you serious about that project manager remark? Strategies influence tactics. But, is there any way that tactics “influence” strategies? I already did, or paid for, a strategy that now I realize isn’t helping me. I can’t go back and redo it, so what should I do? What if I have a strategic question during tactics that isn’t answered by the strategy? Can you really convert any qualitative goal into a quantitative goal?