Discussion 2: Crafting a Mission and Vision for an Organization
In Discussion 1 of this week, you examined the mission and vision statements of various organizations and considered the implications of these statements for strategic planning. In this Discussion, you apply the insights you gained to the creation of an organization’s mission and vision statements.
Your Instructor has assigned you to a small group for this Discussion.
Note: You will develop individualmission and vision statements for your initial post. Through the collegial exchange that follows, you will offer each other suggestions for refinement. You will also work in this same small discussion group in Weeks 3 and 4.
To prepare:
Evaluate what you have learned thus far about the process of developing mission and vision statements.
Reflect on the case study presented in this week’s media.
Consider what information would help you to create rich and appropriate mission and vision statements for Mountain View Health Center, the organization featured in the case study. Conduct additional research as necessary to strengthen your understanding of the process of crafting mission and vision statements and to deepen your thinking about the organization. For instance, you may research organizations with similarities to Mountain View and examine their mission and vision statements.
Draft a mission statement and a vision statement for Mountain View Health Center. Make the statements as clear and concise as possible. For example, you may want to write one to three sentences for the mission statement and one sentence for the vision statement.
Consider what you have learned about the process of developing mission and vision statements.
Reminder: Develop your mission and vision statements independently, and make your initial postingbefore you view your colleagues’ postings.
Post a mission statement and a vision statement for Mountain View Health Center, the organization featured in the case study. Offer insights you have gained about the process of developing your mission and vision statements.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses. Consider the following:
Are the mission and vision statements specific to and relevant for the organization?
Could these statements be implemented?
Are the statements an appropriate length, and do they include the appropriate amount of detail?
Are they clearly written?
How well do the statements relate to the other aspects of planning (e.g., stakeholders, environment, time frame)?
Respond to at least one of your colleagues, noting the strengths and weaknesses of the mission and vision statements, explaining potential implications of these strengths and weaknesses for planning, and suggesting opportunities for refinement. Note: Try to ensure that all postings have a response.
Required Readings
Sare, M. V., & Ogilvie, L. (2010). Strategic planning for nurses: Change management in health care. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
Review Chapter 4, “Just What Is Strategic Planning?” (pp. 57–82)
Chapter 7, “The Three Key Elements of the Strategic Planning Process: A Vision That Guides Nursing’s Future Action” (pp. 117–143)
Chapter 7 addresses elements of the strategic planning process, which includes mission and vision.
Cady, S. H., Wheeler, J. V., DeWolf, J., & Brodke, M. (2011). Mission, vision, and values: What do they say? Organization Development Journal, 29(1), 63–78.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article addresses research on mission, vision, and values from 300 different organizations.
Desmidt, S., Prinzie, A., & Decramer, A. (2011). Looking for the value of mission statements: A meta-analysis of 20 years of research. Management Decision, 49(3), 468–483.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article looks at the relationship of organizational mission and financial performance. It includes a discussion of what a mission statement is and the purpose(s) it serves.
Hirota, S., Kubo, K., Miyajima, H., Hong, P., & Won Park, Y. (2010). Corporate mission, corporate policies and business outcomes: Evidence from Japan. Management Decision, 48(7), 1134–1153.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
The authors examine the implications of the mission statement for organizational practices and performance.
King, D. L., Case, C. J., & Premo, K. M. (2012). An international mission statement comparison: United States, France, Germany, Japan, and China. Academy of Strategic Management Journal, 11(2), 93–119.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article examines the content of mission statements, stakeholder involvement, and the development of goals and objectives.
Required Media
Laureate Education (Producer). (2013b). Case study: Mountain View Health Center [Interactive media]. Retrieved from CDN database. (NURS 6241)
This interactive multimedia piece presents a case study of Mountain View Health Center, with information about the types of activities performed there, organizational structure, strategic priorities, and financial allocations. You will use this as a resource for Discussion 2.
Optional Resources
Marquis, B. L., & Huston, C. J. (2015). Leadership roles and management functions in nursing: Theory and application (8th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
Chapter 7, “Strategic and Operational Planning” (pp. 138–161)
Review as needed.
Desmidt, S., & Prinzie, A. A. (2011). The organization’s mission statement: Give up hope or resuscitate? A search for evidence-based recommendations. Advances in Health Care Management, 10, 25–41.
