What is the Importance of a mission and vision to an organisation?

Answer 1

Mission -> keeps the people involved, the activities we do and the designs we implement - > in congruence - together or another word would be - in cohesion.. Coupling is important.

Imagine a mission that spells " send a probe to Mars by 2011"-> now there would be people involved.. then also those people would be engaged in some activities and yes usually there is some design, some plan and an implementation and tasks set forth., guidelines laid -> so that we keep things : together and in perspective. when GOING DEVIANT OR ASTRAY -> you can always :

* Look at the people - and ask -> are they enough to accomplish the mission ? are more needed? or is it a case of placing square rods in round holes? * Look at the activities: and ask if they augment the plan or not? and if they do, then what could be done .. to improve productivity, meet deadlines - be on budget and on time..

* Look at the designs: imagine a mission that says: " send a probe to mars" versus a mission that says " colonize mars" .. Obviously the latter would require a different design.. different plans and more tasks that just sending. Its like the difference between being a traveler and being a tourist and a traveller on a reconnisance who may want to set shop..

Vision -> it helps you have a good eye sight - no? so, if you believe having a good eye sight helps as it may help see things not just in the immediate vicinity but also see things that are a bit far off -> then you would have little trouble, understanding and accepting the importance of a vision.

You can also take the example of Iraq War:

Lets see if you can spot the differences among the following mission *statements*:

# "remove Saddam"

# "Invade Iraq"

# "Restore law, order, peace and Justice in Iraq"

Now, hindsight is 20/20 { perfect i.e.} _> does anyone have to spill more ink to know: that [1] = a badly thought plan -> well, in fact there is no plan

[2] = what happened after [1] -> and some call it a Civil war

[3] = SOMETHING that COULD have been a noble mission with a solid plan.. to implement noble deeds and dreams// is it not? -> well, ask those who protected against the *war* - which some call *invasion* -> and yes, there are those who are still fighting for a dead-cause.. a mission - that no longer can define a simple phrase or answer an even simpler question : " what would be the definition of victory for the USA in Iraq" - and its been years.. + many deaths.. + enormous costs//

advise -> when you do a mission - statement - make sure its more than just a catchy phrase - more than a statement.. and also it would help you, if you know.. what the definition of victory would be.. sounds philosophical ? perhaps - but, history is full with graveyards of failed missions -> where in the the mission accomplished remained a pipe dream and not only that.. but also -> we the people paid dearly for the evidence////

This is applicable for businesses also: here are some examples"

* IBM AND OS/2

* Florida and Home TV shopping * Webvan

* Apples's NeXT

* ORACLE'S THE " NETWORK COMPUTER"

* DOT COM -> poster children - pets.com and boo.com

Want more examples?: how about in personal life?: here are some: compare and contrast the following missions:

# "I want to be: [a] intriguing [b] a puzzle [c] a mystery and the center of attraction" # "I want lead a: {a] interesting life [b] have the best career I could get [c] life that is memorable - " # " I want to be a: [a] trustworthy person [b] a loving, caring and protective husband and [c] give my best to those I claim to love"

have we - all - not met people who : implicitly or explicitly, directly or indirectly tacitly or otherwise -> have or display as if they have - the above mentioned *life missions" ?

Vision : let me ask you:

* HOW long does [1] last? * Does [2] take more effort, persistence and perseverance than [1] ? * what are the different types of : [a] people you would associate with [b] activities you would engage in and [c] the definitions you would have - when it relates to answering " what is the definition of victory" -> in other words -> what goals would have deemed to be completed, for you to hang a "mission accomplished" in each of the above mentioned 3 Mission Statements?

HERE'S ANOTHER VIEW: In management perspective, the mission and vision is the guiding principle of an organization/company in operating its business (may it be selling goods, providing services or consultancy or structural/civil works) in order to achieve its goal and objectives.