Developing a Mission Statement

This is the second in a series of blogs I will be posting. These are to get you thinking about the direction you want to take your life or your company. Then I will begin to tell the story of my career and the importance of mentors in my journey.

Developing a Mission Statement

Your mission statement is developed only after you have developed your vision and values and looked at your external and internal appraisals through the lens of your vision. Your vision statement and values provide the intrinsic value of your institution and the reason for its existence. They also provide the parameters or framework for the mission. Your mission represents the next logical step in answering what needs to be done to achieve the vision. Together, the vision and the mission provide the purpose and direction that will ensure that you are focused.

Your mission statement is the description of how you will achieve your vision ( or move closer to achieving it ) during a specific time frame. It provides direction to you, and as you grow, to your people. It will help everyone know where the organization is going and what you are trying to achieve in a given time frame.

It has a shorter focus than your vision, usually twelve to thirty-six months and will change based on the socio-economic environment. Whether it is twelve, twenty-four, or thirty-six months is not important. What is important is having a specific time frame and target date. The mission statement serves as the basis for the development of business and peronal goals and plans, and should provide an overall sense of direction and the parameters which will guide decisions. It should address employees, customers, stakeholders, your friends and family and the qualities that make you and your organization unique.

The time frame used in the mission will be dependent upon the situation and overall socio-economic conditions. Care must be taken that the period of time is neither too short, nor too long. Considering the rate of change we are experiencing in the world today, two or three years might be used or you could use a budget cycle. Mission may change with time. As mission are accomplished and new opportunities present themselves, you may find that you need to redefine your mission.

A mission statement should meet the following criteria:

Clear

Involving

Memorable

Aligned with values

Directed at Your vision

Linked to employee, customer and your own needs

Seen as stretch – difficult, but not impossible

Measurable

Before you begin developing your mission statement, review your vision and values. What must you do within the next twelve to thirty-six months to move you closer to realizing your vision while adhering to your values?