Once organizational leaders are confident that the mission (along with the vision and values) are well formulated, communicated, and expressed in writing, they are able to focus on activities that will make the most progress towards accomplishing the stated mission. Well-written mission statements are often the beginning point for strategic organizational goal setting. The process of writing a mission statement is much like that for developing value and vision statements. The same process can help you develop possibilities for a singular mission statement. Remember, though, that unlike with value and vision statements, your mission statement in a single sentence that encompasses your organizations work. Prior to finalizing a mission statement, you will want to ask the following:

Does it describe what your organization will do and why it will do it?

Is it concise (one sentence)?

Is it outcome oriented?

Is it inclusive of the goals and people who may become involved in the organization?

Imagine you are managing the health care organization you identified in your previous Supportive Submissions. Now imagine that organization has recently been acquired by another corporation and is due to undergo reorganization. One of the tasks you are responsible for, is to develop a new mission statement that accurately reflects the organizations new direction. Create a proper mission statement, and then fully explain how it differs from the previous version. Describe the process you utilized to develop the new statement, and explain why it is the perfect choice to move the organization forward. You can be as creative as you like with the organizations future direction; however, if your new Board of Directors are not happy with the Mission Statement… you will be fired.