Mission and Vision

What is your vision? What is your mission? What is the difference? Can the terms be used interchangeably? And why are there so many interpretations? I am working on traceability and I believe it should be possible to connect outcomes backwards, linking to both our mission and vision.

Vision has many definitions. Vision is what I believe I can perceive or foresee using my mind’s eye, like a snapshot of a potential future state. For me, vision is visual with an emotional aspect.

Mission is a statement or purpose, and accepting a mission is an opportunity to become responsible and accountable. The art in crafting a mission statement is identifying our capabilities, constraints, and drive. Overall, I feel that mission captures a public commitment of real effort.

Therefore, vision is what I have for the future and mission is the extent to which I am accepting responsibility to make that vision a reality.