Vision Paper - Case Study Example

Finally, the strategy statement establishes precisely how the organization will achieve its vision statement by leveraging its competitive advantage. Ultimately, these perspectives form a cornerstone element of an organization’s strategic plan. Statements a. The specific organization under consideration is L-3 Communications. This organization is a defense contractor. The organization designs products and services for the United States and this country’s allies and strategic partners. Specifically the organization designs Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, as well as aircraft modernization and maintenance (“L-3 communications,” 2012).

The company was founded in 1997 and is named L-3 for Frank Lanza, Robert LaPenta, and Lehman Brothers (“L-3 communications,” 2012). It was originally a subsidiary of Lockheed Corporation who decided they did not want to own the unit (“L-3 communications,” 2012). Since the organization’s 1997 beginnings it has progressively expanded through a number of prominent acquisitions (“L-3 communications,” 2012). b. Vision Statement L-3 Communications seeks to further establish its market position to benefit stakeholders by implementing state of the art research, organizational efficiency, and unparalleled commitment to excellence.

Mission Statement Our organization aspires to develop cutting edge of defense innovation and efficient maintenance to effectively contribute to the United States mission at home and abroad. Strategy Statement We seek to gain further market share by building on already business partnerships with the United States government and their allies. This relationships will be advanced and strengthened through ensuring that L-3 Communications maintains an unrivaled commitment to excellence at the forefront of defense innovation.

Statement Validation a. The vision, mission, and strategy statements are essential elements of an organization’s strategic planning. The mission statement as a structural determinant of the organization’s purpose to ensure that its employees, leaders and customers recognize this framework. Still, it’s noted that this statement’s prime purpose is for “the leadership team and stockholders,” as it gives insight into the firm’s purpose and directs decision making in times of crisis ("Mission statements and," 2011).

While the mission statement establishes bottom line measures, the vision statement establishes an approach to organizational planning that is more focused on values and purpose. As such, one recognizes that this statement is more applicable to employees, as it helps guide their conduct and contributes to the effectiveness, or ineffectiveness, of the organizational culture. In addition, the vision statement serves as a degree of advertisement and public relations, as the values and goals established therein work to inform potential clients of the form of meaning and cultural elements driving the organization in question.

Indeed, it has been noted that this statement “is a stable foundation on which to base planning-both for the long- and short-term” ("Building a team," 2011). Finally, the strategy statement functions to establish the means by which the organization will put into practice the values and intentions articulated in the mission and vision statements. b. The vision, mission, and strategy statements can drive change in the organization through a variety of means. One of the most prominent is that