Chapter 5. Developing a Project Vision: A Step-by-Step Approach

MANY PEOPLE WONDER where great leaders get their visions. Are they born with the ability to create a vision of the future? Are they taught to create a vision in their business school courses or training classes? The answer to both questions is “yes.” Some recent research suggests that some leaders seem more capable than others of creating a positive image of the future (Thoms 1994). And, some leaders are being taught specific techniques that can be used to develop organizational visions. This chapter will briefly explore both questions and then present an approach that can be used by managers to develop project visions. The chapter will distinguish between project visions developed by a project leader and shared project visions developed by a team, and explain when each approach is better. The chapter will conclude with tips on communicating the vision.