Overview

Strategy vs. Tactics is the difference between winning the war and winning the battle. It is the most fundamental distinction in military science (and business).

Core Idea

The core idea is Scale.

  • Strategy: The “What” and “Why.” Long-term. Large scale.
  • Tactics: The “How.” Short-term. Small scale.

Formal Definition

  • Strategy: The art of distributing and applying military means to fulfill the ends of policy. (Liddell Hart).
  • Tactics: The art of using troops in battle.

Intuition

  • The Ladder: Strategy is deciding which wall to lean the ladder against. Tactics is climbing the ladder efficiently.
  • Chess: Strategy is controlling the center of the board. Tactics is a fork that wins a knight.
  • Sun Tzu: “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.”

Examples

  • WWII:
    • Strategy: “Europe First” (Defeat Germany before Japan).
    • Tactics: Flanking maneuvers on D-Day.
  • Business:
    • Strategy: Pivot to AI.
    • Tactics: Hire 50 Python developers.

Common Misconceptions

  • Misconception: They are the same.
    • Correction: You can win every battle (tactics) and lose the war (strategy). (e.g., Vietnam, Hannibal).
  • Misconception: Strategy is for generals, tactics for soldiers.
    • Correction: The “Strategic Corporal.” In modern war, a single soldier’s action can have strategic consequences.
  • Logistics: Strategy is for amateurs; professionals talk logistics.
  • Game Theory: The math of strategy.

Applications

  • Management: Strategic planning vs. daily operations.
  • Sports: Game plan vs. play calling.

Criticism and Limitations

  • Operational Level: There is a middle ground called the “Operational Level of War” (Campaigns) that bridges the two.

Further Reading

  • Strategy by B.H. Liddell Hart