What do we call the specific and strategic steps toward achieving a specific goal?

The term that best describes the specific and strategic steps taken to achieve a specific goal is an action plan. An action plan outlines detailed tasks, timelines, and responsible parties necessary for reaching a particular objective. It serves as a structured approach to ensure that all necessary steps are accounted for, facilitating the goal's achievement in an organized manner.

In contrast, a strategy often refers to a broader approach or overall plan for achieving an objective, without necessarily breaking it down into actionable steps. Protocol typically indicates official procedures to follow, often in contexts like healthcare or research, while guidelines provide general advice or principles to follow but lack the specificity and detailed implementation focus of an action plan. Thus, an action plan is distinctively designed to lay out step-by-step processes needed to accomplish a goal effectively.