Strategic planning is the process of developing strategies and defining objectives to reach a particular goal or set of goals. If you labeled your planning as "strategic" then you must expect that it would perfectly operate on a grand scale. It will achieve success in a broader field.

It is very different from "tactical" planning which focuses more on individual detailed tactics of activities. "Long range" planning however projects current programs and activities into a modified outlook of the outside world where it describes the phenomenon that will likely occur.

Strategic planning is creating more desirable results in the future through influencing the external world, and adapting current actions and programs to achieve a more favorable result in the outside environment.

There are different reasons why most people are doing strategic planning.

1.To acquire the capability in obtaining the desired objectives.

2.To fit well on both the organization's core competencies and resources, and to the external world. Make sure that your plans are appropriate and feasible.

3.To acquire the capability in providing competitive advantage that is sustainable within the organization.

4.To prove that it is flexible, dynamic, and adaptable even to changeable situations.

5.To be sufficient in providing favorable results without cross-subsidization.

These advantages will not be realized without its methodologies. Strategic planning depends on STP (three-step process) process. "S" for situation where it was been thoroughly evaluated, "T" for Target where goals and objectives are defined, and "P" for path where the routes of goals and objectives are clearly mapped.

However another alternative approach can also be used. It is known as the Draw-See-Think-Plan procedures. "Draw" creates the desired image and achievements. "See" evaluates current situation and detects gaps between ideal situation and current situation. "Think" develops specific actions that must be done to bridge the gaps between ideal situation and current situation. "Plan" lists down required resources for the execution of activities.

Strategic planning is also considered a set of creative and logical steps.

1.It clarifies the objectives to be achieved. These objectives are ranked according to the level of its importance. It can either be TRO (Top Rank Objective), 2nd Rank Objective, 3rd Rank Objective and so on. The lower rank objectives answers the "How" question while higher rank objective answers the "why" question. However TRO is exempted because the objective here is defined.

2.It gathers and analyzes the information. It includes internal assessment on resources, and external assessment which include environmental scanning. Morphological analysis is used by both internal and external assessments. SWOT analysis can also be incorporated to assess the aspects of environments and organizations that are essential in achieving the strategic plan objectives.

3.It evaluates objective feasibility in the SWOT view. SWOT is the acronyms which stands fro Strengths, Opportunities, Weaknesses, and Threats.

4.It develops strategy involving SWOT.

5.It develops action programs creating a more attractive strategy.

To summarize everything, strategic planning provides overall strategic direction on the core management of the company. It gives a more specific direction in areas such as marketing strategy, financial strategy, human resource strategy, organizational development strategy, and deployment information technology strategy to achieve success.