Final answer:
Strategic plans typically span a three to five year period, but can extend up to 10 years, especially for significant long-term capital investments or in certain governmental or military contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Strategic plans generally cover a three to five year time period. However, the length can vary depending on the organization's objectives, the rapidity of environmental changes, and the long-term nature of the investments involved. Some strategic plans may indeed look as far out as 10 years, especially in contexts where long-term capital investments are significant, such as building a new plant or embarking on research and development projects.
For example, governmental strategic plans might be constrained by election cycles, which can influence the longevity of planning efforts. In military contexts, despite the capacity to form long-term strategic plans, the focus typically remains on achieving immediate strategic superiority or successfully competing for resources.