Artificial Intelligence BC - What is the Vision, Mission and Purpose of an organization?

Simple, clear and direct statements of purpose, vision and mission - strengthen, energize and sustain organizational focus

• A Purpose is the fundamental set of reasons for the organization's existence - in the broadest, most enduring sense of what people in the organization want it to contribute to the external world and its internal stakeholders. (Example: Winston Churchill: To move forward into a world arrangement in which peaceful people will have a right to be let alone and in which all people will have a chance to help each other.

• A Vision is an overall aim that reflects the inner personal needs, values and motivations of the members of the organization. It must reflect authentic and real commitment. It provides a vehicle for communication and reinforcement. (Example: Harry S. Truman: The Marshall plan: - seeing the need and acting on it. Steve Jobs: visualizing a "computer on every desk" and making it happen.

• A Mission is a clear, definable and motivational point of focus an achievable goal, a finish line to work toward. (Example: John F. Kennedy: To put a human being on the moon by the end of a decade. Churchill: Defeat Hitler.

Reference: "Making Impossible Dreams come True" by James Collins and Jerry I. Porras - A Guide to Demystifying Purpose, Mission and Vision and Putting Them to Work for You', Stanford Business School Magazine (July 1989)