Emeline, I always found the two concepts used with the same meaning: an orientation to the future, a change of a status quo (which is considered disappointing and problematic). But I think strategy has a broad and strong meaning related (maybe) to non-ordinary situations (we talk about strategic urban planning when we want to change a whole vision for a city which is declining; urban planning when we talk about land-use regulations). But this is only my point of view!

Strategizing and Planning are flip sides of the same coin. Once it is done it becomes a Plan or a Strategy, then it moves into Execution. If it warrants change, then it becomes strategizing or planning again. Basically, I see strategizing as Problem Solving, or Strategy as the Solution.

Each plan has its own specific strategy. thus strategy is a part of plan and it is tool for implementation of plan.

Plan is an intending action essentially documented with a view to implementing it to achieve its goals Therefore, when such intending action is put on a paper or document form; the paper or document is regarded as a PLAN. e.g. we have a proposed plan of a New Town. or a Master plan for the management of a town. The Concept of A PLAN (Planning) is very BROAD and it cuts across ALL discipline of human endeavour.

Strategy is a means essentially designed to carry out or achieve stated objectives of a PLAN. PLAN..............to achieve the GOAL of the PLAN ...... strategy 1,strategy 2, strategy 3 etc, etc,

In practice, we often develop Strategic Plan for long term, i.,e, for five years or 10 years. So, when coining the word Strategic Plan, it indicates that Plan includes the broader description "what" an organization aims to achieve in the long run; and strategy explains "how" it is achieved. Strategy shows us the road map to achieve the vision, mission including action plan for the implementation of the Plan.

In another example, I have seen document like, Financial Sector Development Strategy (FSDS), where to me the word "strategy" denotes "Plan". Therefore, the word, "Strategy" and "Plan" are interchangeably used .

I would prefer to have the detailed document inclusive of what is to be achieved, how and when to be achieved, how to be monitored including the performance indicators as a "Plan " document; while strategy would show us the road map explaining what are our strategic priorities to attain the vision and mission of the organization.

So to conclude, it seems to me that 2 visions are conflicting:

Strategy = global path, more abstract, a whole vision, road map explaining what are our strategic priorities to attain the vision and mission of the organization.

Plan = allocates in detail resources that are necessary to accomplish the strategy, what is to be achieved, how and when to be achieved, how to be monitored including the performance indicators

(Arnold Picot from Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Matteo Basso from Università Iuav di Venezia, Binod Atreya from Nepal Rastra Bank)

OR

strategy = part of plan, tool or means for implementation of plan.

Plan = very BROAD and it cuts across ALL discipline, states the objectives

(Taha Rabbani from University of Tehran and Julius Olujimi from Federal University of Technology, Akure)

I would opt more for the first vision myself. Anyway, thank you very much for your insights, it has been really helpful.

You may think of the plan as a tool for strategy implementation.

At the same time, the strategy implementation (or plan realisation) process require further strategic and operational decisions, which will be considered as part of the overall strategic process (from strategic analysis - to strategic choices / decisions - and to strategy implementation) - all three in a perpetual cycle.

I suggest to think of strategy and plan not as complete blueprints but as dynamic processes.

The operative word is 'dynamism'. Strategizing is dynamic. Once set in a plan the strategy is static, but the execution can be dynamic (i.e. changing tactics to adapt). But if situation change, then it warrants a strategic review. It then becomes strategizing again and thus dynamic. "Dynamic" is now a vocab in my 'Strategy' notebook...!

Strategy is a method or plan chosen to bring about a desired future, such as achievement of a goal or solution to a problem. Strategy is also about attaining and maintaining a position of advantage over adversaries through the successive exploitation of known or emergent possibilities rather than committing to any specific fixed plan designed at the outset.

On the other hands, planning is the methodical process designed to obtain a certain objective. In the more universal sense, it involves having one or more objectives to be in conjunction with the actions required to conclude successfully. In other words, planning is a process of decision-making to achieve a desired future, taking into account the current situation and the internal and external factors that may influence the achievement of the objectives.

The strategy adopted should be putted in practice in order to achieve the main objectives identified. The implementation of a strategy should be done in practice throughout the implementation of a plan. The elaboration of a plan has four stages: identify the problem. development of alternatives, choice of the most suitable alternative, and implementation of the plan.

The timeframe for the implementation of the plan can be: short, medium and long term. Due of its size, the plan could be strategic, tactical, operational, or regulatory.

From my point of view, strategy is a must in any organization to provide a clear long path for now and future. This strategy direct the decision makers to make the right decisions. Missing to define your strategy, increase the ambiguity between the employees in the organization. Since they don’t know the purpose of their work and daily tasks.

Plan: is the details and documented steps to achieve the organization goals and objectives where every employee knows his/her role in this plan and where this role fit in the strategy of the organization.

My line of thought....Plan (concrete) is the cementing (documentation/articulation) of a strategy (abstract/dynamic), while tactics (execution) is the realization of a plan and/or strategy.

A Plan is consciously formulated to guide managerial actions. Strategy may or may not be formulated consciously but may emerge irrespective of plan

A plan defines a path to be followed in order to achieve stipulated goals. While a strategy recognise the difficultiness of attaining goals in a plan and hence calls for a better approach to be used. A strategic plan is most favoured in this world of competition for a business to be successful. A strategic plan has highest chances of being successful.

http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2524857

STRATEGY CAN BE A PLAN, A CONSCIOUSLY FORMULATED COURSE OF ACTION. A Plan will often include STRATEGY but does not necessarily equal STRATEGY