Introducing Tactical Capacity: A Smarter Way to Build Sustainable Prevention Impact
What do Henry Ford, McDonald’s, and a well-run prevention coalition have in common?
Nope! It’s not about the products. It’s about the systems behind them.
Ford didn’t just build cars — he built an assembly line. McDonald’s didn’t just serve food — they created a repeatable franchise model. The brilliance wasn’t in the idea; it was in the structure that made that idea scalable, repeatable, and sustainable.
That’s the heart of what I call Tactical Capacity — and in this blog series, I’ll be digging deeper into what it means and how you can apply it to your prevention work.
Why Tactical Capacity Matters
In prevention, we spend a lot of time talking about capacity building... And don’t get me wrong, it’s crucial. But most of that focus is on what we know (research, frameworks, data) and what we have (funding, partnerships, staff).
But here’s the thing: knowledge and resources don’t always translate into execution.
I’ve seen coalitions with amazing plans still struggle to move the needle — not because they didn’t care or didn’t know what to do, but because they lacked the systems and practices to carry those plans out consistently. And when things get messy (which they always do) those coalitions either burn out or stall.
Tactical Capacity is the difference-maker. It’s what helps you follow through with clarity, even when circumstances change. It’s how you keep showing up without burning out. It’s how you do more with what you already have.
What Is Tactical Capacity?
Tactical Capacity is all about execution—the structure and habits that support ongoing, meaningful action. Think of it as the muscle that connects your strategy to real-world impact.
Here are the four core elements of Tactical Capacity:
Strategic Execution – Turning vision into daily action.
Situational Adaptability – Being able to pivot when needed without losing momentum.
Sustained Engagement – Keeping your team, partners, and community connected and involved over time.
Precision & Alignment – Making sure your efforts stay rooted in real community needs (not just what’s written in the grant).
When these elements are in place, you’re not just working hard—you’re working smart, sustainably, and with purpose.
What’s Ahead
This is just the starting point. I’ll be sharing more soon on how to build and strengthen each part of Tactical Capacity using real-world examples, tools, and ideas that have helped me and the coalitions I work with every day.
If you’ve ever felt like you're spinning your wheels, stretched too thin, or unsure how to move from planning to action — this is for you.
Let’s build something that LASTS!
Keep rockin’,
Dave
