The Difference Between Strategy and Tactics

A lot of people get confused about the difference between a strategy and a tactic. Since these are two words that I use often on this blog I shall explain the difference between the two. The difference is simple, easy to understand, but gets confused far too often.

Strategy comes from the Greek word Stratēgos meaning “the art of the general”. Our word strategy is not limited to military affairs, but is also used in business and politics, among other things. Strategy refers to the overall plan of accomplishing a goal. In a military example, the strategy would be the method of waging the war or campaign.

Tactics comes from the Greek word Taktikē meaning “The art of organizing an army”. Tactics are used to win an engagement or battle, not a war. Tactics are the methods of fulfilling the strategy.

Strategy without tactics is nothing more than a thought, an idea trapped within a man’s head. Strategy guides tactics so that men do not die in vain. Tactics without strategy is nothing more than pointless bloodshed. Therefore, the two are in need of each other. They sustain each other. One is useless without the other, and the man who understand this is well on his way to avoiding many grievous errors that have occurred in history.

Think of it this way: Strategy=Big; Tactic=Small.

American trained Iraqi troops about to board a UH-60. Through the use of helicopters, these troops are able catch insurgents off guard and raid their positions.