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Mission Statement vs. Vision Statement

Diffen  ›  Business  ›  Management

Organizations summarize their goals and objectives in mission and vision
statements. Both of these serve different purposes for a company but are often
confused with each other. While a mission statement describes what a
company wants to do now, a vision statement outlines what a company wants
to be in the future.

The Mission Statement concentrates on the present; it defines the customer(s),
critical processes and it informs you about the desired level of performance.

The Vision Statement focuses on the future; it is a source of inspiration and
motivation. Often it describes not just the future of the organization but the
future of the industry or society in which the organization hopes to effect
change.

Comparison chart

Mission Statement
About A Mission statement talks about
HOW you will get to where you
want to be. Defines the purpose
and primary objectives related to
your customer needs and team
values.
Vision Statement
A Vision statement outlines
WHERE you want to be.
Communicates both the purpose
and values of your business.

Answer It answers the question, “What do It answers the question, “Where

we do? What makes us do we aim to be?”
different?”

Time A mission statement talks about A vision statement talks about

the present leading to its future. your future.
 Compare Anything ››
Mission Statement Inc.
Vision Statement   vs.  LLC   GO

Function It lists the broad goals for which It lists where you see yourself

the organization is formed. Its some years from now. It inspires
prime function is internal; to you to give your best. It shapes
define the key measure or your understanding of why you
measures of the organization's are working here.
success and its prime audience is
the leadership, team and
stockholders.

Change Your mission statement may As your organization evolves, you

change, but it should still tie back
to your core values, customer
needs and vision.
might feel tempted to change
your vision. However, mission or
vision statements explain your
organization's foundation, so
change should be kept to a
minimum.

Developing a What do we do today? For whom Where do we want to be going

statement do we do it? What is the benefit? forward? When do we want to
In other words, Why we do what reach that stage? How do we
we do? What, For Whom and want to do it?
Why?

Features of an Purpose and values of the Clarity and lack of ambiguity:

effective organization: Who are the
statement organization's primary "clients"
(stakeholders)? What are the
responsibilities of the
organization towards the clients?
Describing a bright future (hope);
Memorable and engaging
expression; realistic aspirations,
achievable; alignment with
organizational values and culture.

Contents: Mission Statement vs Vision Statement
1 Purpose 2.2 What to Include in a Mission Statement

2 Video Explaining the Differences 3 Which comes first?
2.1 What's in a Vision Statement? 4 References

Purpose
The mission statement guides the day­to­day operations and decision­making of the
organization. It helps in tactical planning and "rallying the troops" around a common
near­ to medium­term goal. The mission statement helps members of the organization
get on the same page on what they should do and how they should do it.

The vision statement is, in a sense, loftier. It outlines the worldview of the organization
and why it exists. It attracts people — not just employees but also customers and
vendors — who believe in the vision of the organization.

Video Explaining the Differences

What's the Difference Between Mission and Vision?

What's in a Vision Statement?
When developing a vision statement, it should Inc. LLC
Compare Anything ››   vs.    GO
be seen that the following questions are
answered:

What do we want to do going forward?
When do we want to do it?
How do we want to do it?

Features of an effective vision statement
include:
Vision Statement of the Toronto Zoo
Clarity and lack of ambiguity
Paint a vivid and clear picture, not ambiguous
Describing a bright future (hope)
Memorable and engaging expression
Realistic aspirations, achievable
Alignment with organizational values and culture
Time bound if it talks of achieving any goal or objective

What to Include in a Mission Statement
When developing a mission statement, it should be seen that the following questions
are answered:

What do we do today?
For whom do we do it?
What is the benefit?

Features of an effective mission statement are:

Purpose and values of the organization
What business the organization wants to be in (products or services, market) or
who are the organization's primary "clients" (stakeholders)
What are the responsibilities of the organization towards these "clients"
What are the main objectives that support the company in accomplishing its
mission

The following Slideshare presentation by Alar Kolk — Visions & Missions of Fortune
Global 100 — includes the vision and mission statements of companies in the Fortune
100:

10 of 107

Which comes first?
For a new start up business, new program or plan to re­engineer your current services,
the vision statement will be formulated first as it will guide the mission statement and
the rest of the strategic plan.

For an established business where the mission is established, often the mission guides
the vision statement and the rest of the strategic plan for the future.

References
MDH Mission, Vision, Values and Goals ­ Minnesota Department of Health
Wikipedia: Strategic planning
Developing Effective Mission and Vision Statements ­ Inc.com
 Compare Anything ›› Inc.   vs.  LLC   GO
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Comments: Mission Statement vs Vision Statement
233 Comments Compare Anything ››SortInc.
by Newest   vs.  LLC   GO

Add a comment...

Maribeth Sumajit
thank you for the clear presentation.
Like · Reply · Mar 24, 2017 5:06pm

RD Bhatta · Works at Self-employed

nice one !
Like · Reply · Mar 9, 2017 8:06am

Sangeetha Shobha · Bangalore University

sangeetha
Like · Reply · Feb 18, 2017 9:25pm

Gwynneth McEachrane
This explanation has cleared my confusion. Thanks.
Like · Reply · Feb 13, 2017 2:25am

Laurent Nusupesa
does not get materials search
Like · Reply · Feb 8, 2017 2:29am

Nouran Etman · Elsayda zeinab

Thanks for this explanation
Like · Reply · Feb 7, 2017 7:02pm

Curtis Uwuigbe · Lagos, Nigeria

Enlightening, excellent!
Like · Reply · Feb 1, 2017 11:35pm

Mavis Bonfoh · Works at Epson

Detailed explanation and making a clear distinction between the 2 words.
Like · Reply · Jan 27, 2017 8:26pm

Misslia Hj Ariffin · Multi media university of Malaysia

good info..tq
Like · Reply · Jan 24, 2017 10:59am

Kaanwe Sedjoah · District Information Officer at INFORMATION SERVICES DEPT

most grateful for this excellent explanation
Like · Reply · Jan 22, 2017 6:13am

Steve Doyle
Thank you for this video and explanation. I have been constructing my vision and
mission for sometime and was so confused. This really clarified things for me: Vision
is the future and what we want to be; Mission is how we go about fulfilling the vision,
what we are doing, and who we are serving, etc. Thank you again.
Like · Reply · 1 · Dec 30, 2016 7:21am

Rtn Sibabrata Dash · Utkal University, Vani Vihar

Clears the grey area
Like · Reply · Dec 25, 2016 8:45pm

Nanny Brown
Informative!!!
Like · Reply · Dec 2, 2016 8:55pm

Dinesh Dhasmana · New Delhi, India

we are the manufacturer of jellies and candies, what should be the vision and
mission, any suggestion
Like · Reply · 1 · Oct 14, 2016 10:52am

Joel Tunji · Machines/Operator at Bourdillon Limited

I love this, it has cleared my confusion. Thanks for sharing very instructive
Like · Reply · 2 · Oct 10, 2016 5:03pm

Mỏ Cá Trê · Senior Sales Executive at The Mike Style

You r welcome Joel
Like · Reply · Dec 13, 2016 3:05pm

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Anonymous comments (5)

January 2, 2014, 1:28am

That is Good for my Presention.thanks

— 221.✗.✗.33

April 16, 2013, 3:58am

well done.

— 182.✗.✗.152

December 27, 2013, 1:35pm

Thanks.....to the point and more understandable

— 37.✗.✗.35

July 14, 2011, 1:06pm

thanx......... very clear and brief

— 49.✗.✗.105

May 30, 2012, 3:52pm

The teacher could not make the differences clear...you could!!!
Thanks!

— 193.✗.✗.138

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