Final answer:
Operational plans are focused and short-term because they support tactical goals and need to respond rapidly to dynamic business environments. They prioritize immediate action and adjustability due to external pressures such as resource competition and political cycles, contrasting with long-term strategic plans.
Step-by-step explanation:
Operational plans tend to be narrowly focused with short time horizons because they are designed to support tactical goals, with the purpose of addressing immediate and specific issues within an organization. These types of plans are often action-oriented and detail-oriented, closely relating to the day-to-day operations and responding quickly to the changes in the environment. They are established under the premise that the business environment is dynamic and subject to frequent changes, necessitating rapid responses and adaptation. Furthermore, these plans are influenced by external factors such as competitive pressures, technological changes, and customer demands, which often require businesses to stay agile and focused on the short-term to remain competitive. Given the complex and volatile nature of today's business landscape, operational plans address specific and near-term objectives, which can be rapidly executed and adjusted as needed. This contrasts with strategic plans, which usually have a broader focus and a longer time horizon, designed to guide an organization towards long-term objectives and outcomes. Resource competition and political cycles also contribute to the tendency for operational plans to be limited in scope and time, as they compete with immediate organizational and political pressures. Therefore, operational plans, while not comprehensive in addressing long-term strategic issues, play a vital role in ensuring organizations can effectively manage and respond to the fast-paced changes in their environment and achieve short-term successes that are critical to the organization's long-term strategy.