Vision, values and mission

For example, a group of people whose children are affected by the same disorder will need to decide:

• Are we going to provide information about this disorder?
• Or pay for medical research?
• Or give support to families by paid staff or by volunteers?
• Or put our efforts into building up local self-help groups?
• Or do all these things?

Every organisation exists to make a difference in the world. Every plan starts with the organisation's vision of that difference. What difference do you want to see?

As individuals we each have our own set of values guiding us in how we live and act. These values develop over time in the light of our experience. Organisations also have values which guide their actions. People coming together as an organisation with a shared purpose to create a better world need to agree on the values which will underpin their organisation and the way it works. What are your organisation's values?

An organisation's mission is what it actually does towards achieving its vision. To test whether you can tell people about your mission easily, clearly and quickly, try saying it in one breath!

Find out more about other strategic planning issues and examples in the In more depth section.