A tactical function is a planning-oriented decision function that must produce a useful solution within a few seconds to a few minutes. It prioritizes speed over perfect optimality when waiting longer would reduce practical value. section 1.2 section 2.1.5
Distinguish tactical functions from neighboring decision roles:
- Strategic functions solve design problems where users can wait for optimal or near-optimal solutions, sometimes for days. section 1.2 section 2.1.5
- Tactical functions solve planning problems quickly, accepting reduced optimality to meet an operational deadline. section 1.2
- Operational functions solve control problems repeatedly in milliseconds to seconds, where rapid correction can matter more than accuracy. section 1.2 section 2.1.5
Ride-sharing dispatch
Ride-sharing is a tactical planning problem: delays can lose trips and damage user experience, so the system must find a sufficiently good assignment within a short time rather than search indefinitely for the global optimum. section 2.1.5
Figure 2.12 Qualities of solutions vs. search time. Some types of problems require fast computations but do not require incredibly accurate results, while others (such as design problems) allow more processing time in return for higher accuracy.
Use the quality-versus-search-time figure to compare tactical planning with slower design optimization and faster operational control. section 2.1.5
