Difference Between Vision & Mission

Although the words Vision and Mission appear similar, there exists a clear difference between these two words. Most people confuse the two terms when it comes to their meaning and connotation. It is true that these terms, namely, mission and vision pertain to action and concept respectively performed by different means or methods. First let us define the two words to realize the difference. Mission is the action pertaining to a group of individuals who have united with a common intent. On the other hand, vision is a concept or a goal that the seer or the individual strives to achieve.  This is the main difference between the two words. Through this article let us examine the difference further.

Key Takeaways

• Vision: A concept or a goal that an individual or organization strives to achieve.
• Mission: The action pertaining to a group of individuals who have united with a common intent.
• Vision pertains to an ultimate goal, while Mission relates to a social organization, non-governmental organization, or political movement.

What is a Vision?

As mentioned above a vision is a concept or a goal that the seer or the individual strives to achieve. Vision pertains to the ultimate goal of an individual, a firm, organization or a country as a whole. For an example, the vision of an individual can be to be a groundbreaking theorist in a particular discipline. This is the ultimate goal that the individual wishes to realize. Not only individuals, even organizations have visions. For an example, an educational institution can have a vision of becoming the best institute of the region. This is their ultimate goal.
Some visions may be clear, and some of them may not be clear. Visions tend to change in the course of time due to the effect of other outward conditions. A vision pertains to individuality. As a matter of fact, it would be interesting to note that even a mission can have a vision. Hence, it can be said that vision is a common concept.

What is a Mission?

Mission is the action pertaining to a group of individuals who have united with a common intent. Mission pertains to a social organization, a non-governmental organization or a political movement. For an example in a political movement, the mission can be to create a political system that is fair and just. This movement works towards achieving this mission.
A mission has to be very clear in its objectives regarding its goals and performance. The objectives of a mission are standard in their nature. They are not bound to change even in the course of time. Missions can spread to foreign soil as well. The objectives remain the same even on the foreign soil. It is important to know that all the people who join in a mission should have the same vision for that matter. Hence, vision can be described as a subset of mission and not vice versa. It is often the case that some of the actions that pertain to the completion of goals are also called a mission.
Thus the word ‘mission’ is used in the broader sense whereas the word ‘vision’ is used in the narrow sense. This is also one of the main differences between the two terms, namely, mission and vision.

We also see regularly that so many missions form to realize a particular vision. This is true in the case of political science and social science. Missions are also formed with the religious perspectives. On the other hand, vision is formed with the idea of development and enhancement in mind. It is equally true that any given country would develop with true missions and visions. This highlights that there is a clear connection between visions and missions, although they are different from one another. This difference can be summarized as follows.

What is the Difference Between a Vision and a Mission?

Definitions of Vision and Mission:
Vision: Vision is a concept or a goal that the seer or the individual strives to achieve.
Mission: Mission is the action pertaining to group of individuals who have united with a common intent.
Characteristics of Vision and Mission:
Relevance:
Vision: Vision pertains to the ultimate goal of an individual, a firm, an organization or a country as a whole.
Mission: Mission pertains to a social organization, a non-governmental organization or a political movement.
Clarity:
Vision:  Some visions may be clear, and some of them may not be clear.
Mission: A mission has to be very clear in its objectives regarding its goals and performance.
Changeability:
Vision: Visions tend to change in the course of time due to the effect of other outward conditions.
Mission: The objectives of a mission are not bound to change even in the course of time.
Spread:
Vision: A vision pertains to individuality.
Mission: Missions can spread to foreign soil as well.