Skip to content

Latest commit

 

History

History
100 lines (82 loc) · 5.1 KB

Mission.md

File metadata and controls

100 lines (82 loc) · 5.1 KB

Mission

A project mission details the intent behind its existence. It is a crisp, plain-talk statement that underscores every order, plan or goal and describes a desired end-state.

  1. Why Document It?
    1. Efficiency Through Clarity Of Direction
    2. Lowers Barrier To Entry
    3. Creates A Sense Of Purpose
  2. How To Document It?
  3. Example Mission Statements
  4. References

Why Document It?

Performance Through Clarity Of Direction

It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day trials and tribulations of work, but how can we be sure that what we're working on aligns with the purpose of the project? A mission statement is a guiding star or a lighthouse on the horizon that gives us perspective and allows us to judge whether our work pushes the project in the right direction. It manages to align the behaviour of team members at all levels without requiring play-by-play instructions from leaders. Put differently, in committing to a goal, a person chooses to divert attention to goal-relevant activities and away from goal-irrelevant ones. This allows for self-organization to take over, because teams are smart enough to figure out for themselves how to arrive where they are needed - all we need to do is make clear where that is. This is also helpful to clarify priority amongst the plethora of tasks in front of teams. Finally, having specific goals improves performance.

Lowers Barrier To Entry

A clear mission statement lets other individuals and organizations have a snapshot view of whom your group is and what it wants to do. When it is easily visible, people can learn about your project without having to work hard for the information. Then, those with common interests can take the time necessary to learn more. This can be very helpful when you are recruiting other people and organizations to join in your effort. When people love what you're doing and can express their own values by working with you, they're much more likely to join your cause.

Creates A Sense Of Purpose

By rallying a team and project around a purpose we encourage excellence in our team and provide staying power within it. Purpose becomes the reason for involvement - not money or glory, which do not have the same staying power as purpose. Goal-setting instills purpose, challenge and meaning into one's work.

How To Document It?

This can be as light or as heavy as a team wishes. It could be as light as a one or two sentence mission statement, or as heavy as a mission statement supported by time-bound objectives that each define a few key results regularly reviewed by the team as part of their process.

For a smaller project composed of a single software repository, you can document this in the project's README.md, possibly as part as a dedicated "Mission" or "Why?" or "Purpose" section.

For a large project composed of several software repositories, you may wish to dedicate a section of your project website to document this.

Example Mission Statements

References

  1. The Motivational Benefits of Goal Setting, Latham, G.P. 2004. The Academy of Management Executive (1993-2005), Vol. 18, No. 4, Decision-Making and Firm Success (Nov., 2004), pp. 126-129
  2. What is the Mission of your Project?
  3. Strategic Planning: Developing Vision and Mission Statements
  4. Clear Purpose Benefits Your Business