What are the key elements to consider when developing a team vision and mission?

1 Define your team's scope and role

The first step is to clarify what your team does, who it serves, and how it fits into the larger organization or context. This will help you identify your team's core functions, responsibilities, and boundaries. You can use a simple statement or a diagram to describe your team's scope and role, and make sure it aligns with the vision and mission of the organization or the project.

2 Involve your team members

The second step is to involve your team members in the process of developing a team vision and mission. This will help you create a sense of ownership, engagement, and commitment among your team, as well as leverage their diverse perspectives, insights, and ideas. You can use various methods to solicit input from your team members, such as surveys, interviews, brainstorming sessions, or workshops.

3 Craft a team vision statement

The third step is to craft a team vision statement that articulates your team's desired future state, goals, and aspirations. A team vision statement should be concise, inspiring, and realistic. It should answer the question: What do we want to achieve or become as a team? You can use a formula or a template to structure your team vision statement, or you can use examples from other teams or organizations to inspire you.

4 Craft a team mission statement

The fourth step is to craft a team mission statement that explains your team's purpose, value, and approach. A team mission statement should be specific, meaningful, and actionable. It should answer the question: Why do we exist and what do we do as a team? You can use a similar formula or template as the one you used for the team vision statement, or you can use the SMART criteria to make sure your team mission statement is clear and relevant.

5 Communicate and implement your team vision and mission

The final step is to communicate and implement your team vision and mission to your team members and other stakeholders. This will help you reinforce your team's identity, direction, and culture, as well as align your team's actions and decisions with your team vision and mission. You can use various channels and formats to communicate your team vision and mission, such as newsletters, posters, presentations, or videos. You can also use regular reviews, feedback, recognition, and rewards to monitor and support your team's performance and progress toward your team vision and mission.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?