Does vision help or hinder change? Support your position.

In this assignment, we will relate vision, strategy and change. What is vision? How is vision different from mission, goals and planning? While people disagree on the exact definition and purpose of vision, we all accept the definition and concept that vision looks to the future and helps to define where the organization is heading and what the organization wishes to accomplish. We also accept the premise that future competitive advantage and organizational growth and development mean change. Such change requires examining and often revamping vision, mission, and strategic goals and plans.

One of the most difficult tasks of any change leader is to link vision to performance. Change initiatives require everyone connected with the organization must understand, accept and promote any such transformational change. Organizations preparing for transformational change regularly undertake “revisioning” exercises to help guide their people through the change process.

Assignment Instructions

This written assignment requires two peer reviewed scholarly resources dealing with organizational vision and change and at least one news resource (example: Internet, YouTube, news site or paper, etc.) that deals with a current, contemporary organization undergoing or that recently underwent some type of change. Examples of such change could be growth and expansion, a decline or loss, an acquisition or merger or a restructuring.

Prepare a 2 – 3 page report (APA formatted), excluding the title and reference pages, in which you summarize your findings and includes the following points. Be sure to include your own interpretation and opinion as you prepare this report.

Relationship of vision to mission and strategic goals

Process and criteria for crafting organizational vision

Does vision help or hinder change? Support your position.

Using your news article dealing with a current, contemporary organization undergoing change:

Describe the change.

Is the change linked to vision? To what extent?

Is vision a variable for why the change was/is successful or not?

Assume the position of change leader for this organization. What would you do differently to support the change initiative?

In conclusion, summarize your overall message about vision, strategy and change.