How can you create a SMART vision and mission?

1 Define your core values

Before you start writing your vision and mission, you need to identify your core values. These are the principles and beliefs that drive your work and define your culture. Your core values should reflect your passion, your purpose, and your priorities. They should also be aligned with the needs and expectations of your students, staff, parents, and community. To define your core values, you can use brainstorming, surveys, focus groups, or other methods to gather input from your stakeholders. Then, you can narrow down your list to the most essential and distinctive values that represent your organization.

2 Write your vision statement

Your vision statement is a concise and compelling description of your desired future state. It answers the question: What do you want to achieve in the long term? Your vision statement should be specific enough to provide direction and inspiration, but broad enough to allow for flexibility and innovation. It should also be measurable, meaning that you can track your progress and evaluate your results. To write your vision statement, you can use the following formula: To [verb] [target audience] by [how]. For example, To empower students by providing personalized and engaging learning opportunities.

3 Write your mission statement

Your mission statement is a brief and clear explanation of your current purpose. It answers the question: Why do you exist and what do you do? Your mission statement should be achievable, meaning that you can realistically accomplish it with your resources and capabilities. It should also be relevant, meaning that it addresses the needs and interests of your stakeholders and the environment. To write your mission statement, you can use the following formula: We [verb] [target audience] by [how]. For example, We educate students by fostering academic excellence and social responsibility.

6 Review and update your vision and mission

Your vision and mission are not static, but dynamic. They should evolve and adapt to the changing needs and circumstances of your organization and your stakeholders. Therefore, you need to review and update your vision and mission periodically. You can use feedback, surveys, evaluations, or audits to assess your vision and mission. You can also use benchmarks, indicators, or milestones to measure your vision and mission. The goal is to ensure that your vision and mission are still SMART, relevant, and effective.

7 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?