Vision Statement

Definition

A vision statement is a declaration of an organization's goals and values.

Analogy

A vision statement is like a map that shows the destination and direction of an organization.

Just like how a map helps to guide travelers to their desired destination, a vision statement helps to guide an organization towards its desired future state. A map shows the various landmarks and points of interest along the way, and a vision statement includes the values, aspirations, and outcomes that are important to the organization.

Just as a map helps to inform decision-making and planning for a journey, a vision statement helps to inform decision-making and planning for the future of an organization. It is a way to set a course and stay focused on the ultimate goal.

In other words

A vision statement is a statement of what the organization hopes to achieve in the future and serves as a guiding light for decision-making and planning.

Why is a vision statement important?

It's one thing to know what a vision statement is, but that is worthless if you don't know why you should know what a vision statement is in the first place. Let's break down the importance of this tech term based on two high level categories. We'll walk through an explanation as well as provide a score, 1-10, that shows you how much you should care about a vision statement.

Pre-Product: 8/10

The first will be if you do not have a product yet. This means that you don't have a physical product. Maybe you're in the ideation phase, or maybe you're almost ready to start development. Whichever it is, we'll get into why a vision statement is important and why you should or shouldn't care about it if you do not have a product.

A vision statement should be developed before your product as it will help guide your company direction, ensuring your product roadmap stays aligned with the vision of your company.

Live-Product: 8/10

The second category is if you do have a live product. Maybe you just launched your business or maybe it's been live for years and you're continuing to improve its quality. Regardless of the scenario, if your product is live, a vision statement carries a different weight.

If you have a product, your vision statement is still incredibly important because it will be how you stay aligned as your product and company progresses.

Examples of a vision statement

So you know what a vision statement is, by definition. You know if you should care about it or not depending on your situation as a business/company/product. To dig in deeper, we will walk through some examples so we can make sure you really have a solid grasp on a vision statement.

A vision statement is typically a long-term view and is often used in conjunction with a mission statement, which is a more immediate and practical statement of purpose. A vision statement can be a powerful motivator for an organization and its employees, as it helps to focus and align efforts towards a common goal. It can also help to define the organization's culture and shape its identity. A vision statement is often aspirational and may include elements such as values, aspirations, and desired outcomes.

Let's walk through three examples:

1. To be the world's most innovative and successful company, providing the best products and services to our customers and creating value for all of our stakeholders.
   
2. To be the leading provider of healthcare solutions, improving the lives of people around the world.
   
3. To create a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and grow, and to use their knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on the world.

Key Takeaways:

1. A vision statement is a declaration of an organization's goals and values.
2. Regardless if you have a product, you should write a vision statement.