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Mission, Vision & Core Values

Audience: CEO, Strategy Manager
Page Type: How-To Guide
Phase: Phase 1 — Setup
Duration: 30–60 minutes

Why This Matters​

Before COS can help you execute strategy, it needs to understand what your organization stands for. Mission, Vision, and Core Values are the anchors that:

  • Give every OKR and strategic theme a "north star"
  • Appear on your Strategy Dashboard so teams stay connected to purpose
  • Are referenced by the AI Assistant when generating strategic insights

Definitions​

FieldQuestion It AnswersExample
MissionWhy do we exist today?"Empower SMEs with world-class strategy tools."
VisionWhere do we want to be in 3–10 years?"Become the #1 strategy execution platform in EMEA."
Core ValuesHow do we behave along the way?Transparency, Customer Obsession, Continuous Learning

Entering Mission, Vision & Values​

  1. Go to Context → Mission & Vision from the left menu
  2. You will see three sections:

Mission​

  1. Click Edit next to the Mission field
  2. Write a concise statement (1–3 sentences is ideal)
  3. Click Save

Vision​

  1. Click Edit next to the Vision field
  2. Write a forward-looking statement describing your desired future state
  3. Click Save

Core Values​

  1. Click + Add Value
  2. Enter:
    • Name: The value label (e.g., "Transparency")
    • Description: What this value means in practice (e.g., "We share information openly, including failures.")
  3. Click Save
  4. Repeat for each value (typically 3–7 values)

Tips for Writing Good Mission & Vision Statements​

Mission:

  • Keep it under 2 sentences
  • Focus on the present — what value you deliver today and to whom
  • Avoid jargon

Vision:

  • Set a time horizon (3, 5, or 10 years)
  • Be ambitious but believable
  • Use concrete, measurable language where possible (e.g., "top 3 in the market")

Core Values:

  • 3–7 values maximum — more becomes diluted
  • Each value should be differentiating — not generic ("integrity" is table stakes, be specific about what you mean by it)
  • Write a short description for each value so teams understand the behavior expected

What Happens After You Save?​

  • Mission and Vision appear in the Strategy Dashboard header
  • Core Values are shown on the Role Guide and Team Overview pages
  • The AI Assistant can reference them when answering strategic questions
  • New hires and team members see them in their onboarding overview

Updating Mission & Vision​

Mission and Vision can be updated at any time:

  1. Navigate to Context → Mission & Vision
  2. Click Edit on the relevant field
  3. Make changes and click Save
Revision cadence

It's normal to refine your Vision statement after completing a full strategic cycle. Many organizations review Mission/Vision annually as part of Phase 1 setup.

See also​