What is a "vision statement"?

A vision statement serves as a declaration of future aspirations for an organization. It articulates what the organization aims to achieve over the long term, providing a guiding star for decision-making and strategic planning. A well-crafted vision statement inspires and motivates employees, stakeholders, and the broader community by outlining a clear and compelling picture of what success looks like.

By focusing on aspirations, the vision statement differentiates itself from other statements that might outline current goals or achievements. It influences the organizational culture, aligning efforts across various teams toward a unified future goal. An effective vision statement should be focused, challenging yet achievable, and clearly define the desired destination of the organization's journey.

In contrast, the other options do not capture the essence of what a vision statement represents. Statements regarding current organizational goals reflect the present rather than future aspirations. Legal requirements pertain to compliance, while a historical overview relates to past achievements, which are distinct from envisioning a future direction.