Vision-eering 101

Vision-eering, or the journey of engineering vision, is a foundational milestone for any business or NPO. It serves as the basis for many aspects of organizational life from strategic goals to daily operations. When engineered effectively, vision helps define an organization’s identity, communicate its values, and guide decision-making. Below are some ways we have seen and supported organizations in their vision-eering efforts.

1. Reflect on the organization’s purpose and core values: Consider the driving force(s) behind the organization. What impact do you want to make in the world? What do you hope to accomplish in the long run?
2. Live in the tension of aspirational but realistic engineering: Vision should inspire and motivate people, which means it should live in the tension of  setting a high bar and being clearly achievable.
3. Foster a picture of the future that requires collaboration: While it’s tempting to focus on smaller, short-term goals, vision-eering is about the larger impact an organization is striving toward, one that is greater than the efforts of any single person, requiring the contributions of various teams and constituencies working together.

Ultimately, vision-eering requires thoughtful reflection on the future an organization aspires to achieve, and be a driving force for bringing people together for the sake of the common good you are pursuing.