If going to the moon involves incorporating the reactions of competitors into your plans, then yes. Otherwise I believe the word "method", "plan" or "technique" would suffice. For example, I have always been mystified by the the term "branching strategy" (in the context of source code version control systems). It is just a method, but the word, alas, now feels too pedestrian for most. One at least needs to go with methodology.

“system that dynamically resists your attempts at progress” applies to all of those in spades, and then some, with a cherry on top!

Competition maybe not to cancer, but to some extent the other two (cold war and competitive fitness - why do you “want” a six pack?)