Build Inspiration and Direction Through Vision Statements

A new year provides a critical opportunity to reflect and regroup. 

For software leaders, it also represents the perfect time to set a guiding system for your organization and your projects.

One way to ensure all members of your organization are on the same page is through a clear, concise vision statement.

A vision statement is a description of the future state of the solution under development. It serves as a guiding beacon that provides direction and inspiration for the organization’s future activities, strategies, and decisions. 

To develop an effective vision statement make sure it is:

1. Aspirational
2. Realistic and achievable: It must be compelling and forward-thinking, yet practical enough to be feasible over some meaningful timeframe. 
3. Motivational to engage others on the journey—the vision must align with the strategic themes, mission, and purpose.
4. Clear and concise
5. Timeless: Strategies may change, but a vision statement should remain relevant over the years.
6. Well-aligned: The vision statement should align with the organization’s values, mission, and overall strategic objectives.

“We are stubborn on vision. We are flexible on details.” – Jeff Bezos

Vision statements are not meant to be specific action plans or detailed road maps. Instead, they provide a high-level framework for decision-making and strategic planning. As organizations evolve and circumstances change, vision statements may be revised or refined to reflect the evolving goals and aspirations.

Below are a few names of companies followed by their vision statements. Notice how the vision statement affects the behavior and decisions of the organization:

1. Disney: “To be one of the world’s leading producers and providers of entertainment and information.”
2. Microsoft: “Empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.”
3. Amazon: “Our vision is to be Earth’s most customer-centric company; to build a place where people can come to find and discover anything they might want to buy online.”
4. Southwest Airlines: “To become the world’s most loved, most flown, and most profitable airline.”

Action Items

Here are some suggestions for moving forward to set a clear vision for your team or organization:

1. Search the vision statements of your five favorite brands and see how they affect the product or services of those brands.
2. Search the vision statements of your industry competitors and see how they affect the product or services of those competitors.
3. Formulate a draft vision statement for the product or service that you are working with in your organization. 

How Coveros Can Help

Looking for new strategies for improving your software leadership? Coveros works with leaders across the software industry to improve their teams and organizations. Here are a few of our services:

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