The tactical horizon is typically considered to be how long?

The tactical horizon is typically viewed as a timeframe that allows businesses to plan their operations effectively, balancing between short-term responsiveness and long-term strategic goals. A period of 18 months provides a comprehensive view for tactical planning, enabling organizations to consider factors such as production cycles, inventory management, demand variability, and market trends.

This timeframe is optimal because it encompasses enough lead time for executing tactical plans while also being manageable in terms of forecasting and decision-making. Within this horizon, companies can adapt to changes and update their plans as necessary, ensuring they align well with both market conditions and their strategic objectives.

Other timeframes may be too short or too long for tactical planning. For instance, 1 year might not provide sufficient time to fully realize the impacts of planned actions, while 2 years could push into strategic territory, where organizations are more focused on long-term vision rather than tactical execution.