The words "strategic" and "planning" used together can lead to confusion unless one spent the early years of his career in never-ending, team-oriented, corporate training sessions. Doesn't "strategic" have something to do with extremely accurate bombing or a defensive missile system or Star Wars or something? Don't "strategic" and "planning" both mean the same thing? Isn't it like saying a person needs to have a plan in his plan or a strategy in his strategy? What so strategic about planning? The author states that the strategic aspect of planning implies a structured process, creative thinking, teamwork, and flexibility--plus one very important catalyst, which is to "follow up." This means reviewing, refreshing, and renewing the plan so that it continues to be strategic until the vision becomes a reality. (Contains 6 endnotes.)