Final answer:
The long-term plans that set the direction for an organization are called strategic plans. They are crucial for aligning actions with goals and ensuring a collective effort toward them.
Step-by-step explanation:
Plans that identify the long-term direction for an organization, including a vision of what and where the organization wants to be in the longer term, are called strategic plans. These plans are essential for aligning an organization's actions with its overall mission and goals. Strategic planning involves setting priorities, focusing energy and resources, and ensuring that employees and other stakeholders are working toward common goals. It establishes the foundations for the organization's direction and can help inform operational or shorter-term planning. In the context of governments, these plans may be challenged by short election cycles, but are crucial for the long-term health and viability of a country. It's important to note that while strategic plans aim for achievable and appropriate outcomes, history shows many such plans have targeted ambitious goals, as in the case of the Soviet Union's Five-Year Plans.