What level of management includes general managers and division managers responsible for tactical planning?

The correct choice is middle management because this level is primarily tasked with translating the broader strategic goals set by top management into specific operational plans. Middle managers, including general managers and division managers, play a crucial role in tactical planning; they develop detailed plans that align with the organization’s objectives while also motivating and coordinating the work of lower-level managers and their teams.

Unlike top management, which focuses on long-term strategic direction and overall organizational vision, middle management specifically addresses how to implement those strategies through actionable plans and resource allocation. This involves making decisions about departmental operations, facilitating communication between different layers of the organization, and ensuring that the various teams meet their targets effectively.

Supervisory management, on the other hand, works at an even lower level in the organizational hierarchy, dealing more directly with day-to-day operations and managing frontline employees. Executive management is often synonymous with top management, dealing with overarching strategy rather than tactical implementation. Thus, middle management is the essential link in the management structure that emphasizes tactical planning and operational effectiveness.