tactics

Tactics are the methods and actions used to achieve a specific, near-term objective. They involve choosing maneuvers, allocating resources, and timing actions to exploit advantages or counter threats. Tactics are executed at the battlefield or field level, as opposed to strategy, which sets overall aims and long-term plans.

The concept spans many domains beyond military practice, including sports, business, and games. In military usage, tactics include maneuvers such as flanking, envelopment, feints, and the use of terrain for cover. In sports, tactics encompass formations, match plans, and on-field decisions. In games and decision-making contexts, tactics refer to short-term choices among possible moves or actions.

Tactics are influenced by factors such as terrain, weather, information, and resource constraints. They require situational awareness, rapid decision-making, and coordination. Effective tactics align with strategic objectives while remaining adaptable to changing conditions.

Practice and evaluation through training and after-action reviews help refine tactical capabilities. The term can also describe a general approach or method for achieving goals in competitive environments, emphasizing action and sequencing over broad aims.