Mission vs. Vision LO26754

From: Barry Mallis (theorgtrainer@earthlink.net)
Date: 06/02/01


Replying to LO26745 --

Felicia,

One way I have heard of to differentiate the two is this:

A vision statement is more strategic than a mission statement. One might
consider writing one with the first two words "To be...". That is, our
organization wants to be...". It's future oriented, goal rather than
objective.

A mission might comprise tasks in the nearer term to align the
organization while moving toward reaching the vision.

Many organizations have in their lobbies framed statements with wonderful,
fluffy language about how customers are to be delighted, employees are to
work in environmentally safe and sustaining surroundings, all stakeholders
are to be strive for fulfillment knowing the organization will do its
utmost. Who can argue?

My very personal opinion is that in each planning cycle, an organization
considers its primary focus, and states it in one to three initiatives.
>From top management, these plans are cascaded downward in the organization
to operational levels. You can think of it as taking a vision annually
reviewed, and then translating it into that planning cycle's mission. This
is sometimes referred to as Hoshin planning.

Yet another way to look at this is to consider an organization's three
types of goals: noble, intermediate and annual.

Noble goals are abstract and aimed outside the organization e.g.
"contribute to society". Some might call that a mission, some a vision.

The intermediate goals are stated in terms common to everyone in the
organization. These might be quantitative longer-term goals, focused on
quality and cycle time results.

Annual goals in some organizations involved with continuous improvement
practices often entail targets broken down to individual working units.

Enough. It's almost a personal preference. Ask any guru, get any answer.
Go to the dictionary and get no useful clarification. La-dee-dah.

Best of luck,

Barry Mallis
The Organizational Trainer
Keene, NH USA
theorgtrainer@earthlink.net

> Can you please contribute your thoughts re the following statement:
> "missions and visions are virtually the same thing". Do you know of any
> industry experts that argue for or against?

-- 

Barry Mallis <theorgtrainer@earthlink.net>

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