Project Vision Statement
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When creating a project vision statement there are some elements that should focused on. These include making the project vision statement: | When creating a project vision statement there are some elements that should focused on. These include making the project vision statement: | ||
| − | + | *Concise and simple | |
| − | The statement should be brief and it should also be easy to remember and repeat | + | The statement should be brief and it should also be easy to remember and repeat |
| − | + | *Specific and clear | |
The vision statement should define and be centered around the end goal and the criteria that will make the project a success | The vision statement should define and be centered around the end goal and the criteria that will make the project a success | ||
| − | + | *Time bound | |
There should if possible be a time horizon/frame for when the desired goals should be achieved | There should if possible be a time horizon/frame for when the desired goals should be achieved | ||
| − | + | *Oriented towards the future | |
The statement should oriented towards the desired future state and the benefits that will come from achieving the presented goals | The statement should oriented towards the desired future state and the benefits that will come from achieving the presented goals | ||
| − | + | *Challenging | |
The end goal should be challenging and difficult to obtain | The end goal should be challenging and difficult to obtain | ||
| − | + | *Engaging and inspirational | |
It is important that the vision is meaningful and inspiring for all stakeholders involved in the project | It is important that the vision is meaningful and inspiring for all stakeholders involved in the project | ||
Revision as of 22:29, 21 February 2019
Contents |
Abstract/Summary
The Big Idea
A Project Vision Statement is a description or declaration of what an organization wants to obtain or accomplish upon the completion of a project. The purpose of a Project Vision Statement is to show the direction of the project and the desired outcomes. Furthermore, is it to inspire the project team working on the project, as well as the projects different stakeholders.
Application
According to the PMI standard, there are 5 phases of project management (ref). These include: • Conception and Initialization • Definition and Planning • Launch or Execution • Performance and Control • Project Close
A vision statement is usually made during the very early stages of a project, in the Conception and Initialization phase. This is applied as early as possible, in order to create a common focus and define the end goal from the beginning.
When creating a project vision statement there are some elements that should focused on. These include making the project vision statement:
- Concise and simple
The statement should be brief and it should also be easy to remember and repeat
- Specific and clear
The vision statement should define and be centered around the end goal and the criteria that will make the project a success
- Time bound
There should if possible be a time horizon/frame for when the desired goals should be achieved
- Oriented towards the future
The statement should oriented towards the desired future state and the benefits that will come from achieving the presented goals
- Challenging
The end goal should be challenging and difficult to obtain
- Engaging and inspirational
It is important that the vision is meaningful and inspiring for all stakeholders involved in the project
Though many vision statements do not necessarily incorporate all of the points, they must be kept in mind, in order to develop a powerful vision statement.
However, an example of a project vision statement which aligns with all of the above described points, is from John F. Kennedy’s speech to congress on May 25, 1961: "…this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth”. https://history.nasa.gov/SP-350/ch-2-1.html
This statement gave rise to the Apollo program, which in 1969 put the first man on the moon, with the Apollo 11 mission.
- All of the key points
There are many examples of vision statements made by companies that through projects, programs and portfolios aim at achieving their overall vision for the future. “Accelerate the advent of sustainable transport by bringing mass market electric cars to market as soon as possible” – Tesla (ref) This was Tesla´s vision statement until 2016, when the company shifted towards other sustainable energy focus areas than just transport. These included the company’s Powerwall and solar roof tiles. https://www.tesla.com/about Often several concepts of vision statements are made before the final version of the statement is chosen. Furthermore, the vision and thereby the project vision statement might change in the middle of the project, as discoveries and new insights are made. Therefore, the vision statement might need be altered along the way.
Following the vision statement a mission statement can be made, which can be broken down into different smaller targets and objectives.
