I.
Agency Mission Statement
An organization's mission statement should provide a general
description of its fundamental reason for being--its core purpose--
and the functional role the organization plays in its environment.
It should be brief, clear, and broad enough to allow flexibility in
implementation. It should specify the global reason for being, which
then requires the accomplishment of many goals and objectives.
The mission statement tells you where the organization is now. It
concentrates on the present (whereas the vision statement
concentrates on the future).
It defines the customers and critical processes, and it informs you
about the desired level of performance.
The agency’s mission provides an ongoing guide; it is not time-
bound. It is not a goal or objective. Generally, it is not expressed
in numbers.
Four Basic Elements of a Mission Statement:
What?
Core Purpose or Function;
Customers’ Needs; Products or
Services
Why?
How? Who?
Activities, Customers,
Technologies, Clients, Stakeholders
Methods
Criteria for Writing an Effective Mission
Statement
1. It is clear and understandable to everyone.
2. It is brief enough for most people to keep in mind.
3. It clearly specifies what "business" the organization is
in.
4. It maintains focus, but is broad enough to allow flexibility.
5. It reflects the values, beliefs, philosophy, and culture
of the organization.
6. It serves as an ongoing guide for the decisions of
managers and others.
7. It is timeless; it can remain the same for decades (if it is
crafted well).
8. It serves as an energy source and a rallying point for the
organization.
The mission statement and vision statement differ. Vision describes
a desired future identity; time is an element of vision. The vision
statement may appear to be a goal or objective; it is a place or status
the organization wants to reach.
The mission statement describes why a vision will be achieved – it
is not time-bound.
An effective vision statement is SMART (Specific, Measurable,
Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound).
Your vision statement may come first (before the mission
statement) for a new agency or program or reengineering
project. The vision may guide the mission statement and the other
elements of the strategic plan.
The mission statement may come first (before the vision
statement) for an established agency or program facing no
major innovations or changes, guiding the vision statement and the
rest of the strategic plan.
Are These Effective Mission Statements
We aspire to provide a safe, efficient, environmentally sound
and fiscally responsible transportation system which promotes
economic growth and enhances the quality of life in Kentucky.
- Kentucky Transportation
Cabinet
Does it describe what your organization does?
Does it identify for whom you do it?
Does it describe how you do it?
Does it explain why you do it?
Is it an effective mission statement?
If not, how would you change it to make it better?
To provide leadership in protecting and promoting the well
being, self-sufficiency, and independence of Kentuckians
through partnerships with others in the delivery of
comprehensive family services
- Cabinet for Families and Children
Does it describe what your organization does?
Does it identify for whom you do it?
Does it describe how you do it?
Does it explain why you do it?
Is it an effective mission statement?
If not, how would you change it to make it better?
To support and promote equitable access to quality library
services and information resources and to ensure that adequate
documentation of government programs is created, maintained,
and available for public use.
- Department for Libraries and Archives
Does it describe what your organization does?
Does it identify for whom you do it?
Does it describe how you do it?
Does it explain why you do it?
Is it an effective mission statement?
If not, how would you change it to make it better?
Mission Statement Worksheet
Questions to Answer in Formulating or
Validating a Mission Statement
These questions can be asked and answered individually, in a
small group, in a strategic planning team, or across the
organization.
We recommend having the members of a strategic planning team
individually answer the questions to prepare for a team discussion.
Then bring the team together in a facilitated meeting to discuss,
expand on, and clarify the answers to the questions.
The final mission statement may be formulated by executive
leaders with input from the facilitated team process, or it may be a
product of team consensus during that meeting.
1. What is our core purpose?
2. What "business" are we in?
3. What do we actually do?
4. Whom do we serve – who are our customers, clients
and key stakeholders?
5. For what do our customers and clients look to us?
6. For what do our other key stakeholders look to us?
7. How do we achieve our purpose?
8. So what? Why is what we do important or valuable?
