Mission Critical

Get everyone clear on the team's central goal.

The team clarifies and discusses its mission. What is the ultimate criteria against which the team's success will be judged? What is the big picture strategic goal? Often this section starts with a presentation from the team leader, and we facilitate questions and subsequent discussions.

Type
Discussion
Time
60 minutes
Group size
4-12 people
Best as
Opening discussion
In depth

A little more detail.

The team clarifies and discusses its mission. What is the ultimate criteria against which the team's success will be judged? What is the big picture strategic goal? Often this section starts with a presentation from the team leader, and we facilitate questions and subsequent discussions.

Often used at the start of a team or strategic planning session, this section orients everyone towards the big, important priority for the group. Gaining clarity on this helps everyone, established but busy team members benefit from renewed clarity, and new starters quickly understand the key goal.

Outcomes

What you'll leave with.

BRIEF Facilitation notes

How to run it.

When to use it

Use Mission Critical at the start of a team or strategic planning session to orient everyone towards the big priority. Clarifying the ultimate measure of the team's success gives busy members renewed focus and helps new starters understand the goal quickly.

Use it when

  • A team or planning session needs a shared sense of the overarching goal.
  • Members are heads-down in daily work and have lost sight of the bigger picture.
  • New people have joined and need to understand what success looks like.

Not the right tool when

  • The mission is already clear and the team is ready to make strategic choices. Use Playing to Win.
  • You are closing a session and need commitments. Use Strategic Commitments.
Used in

Workshops that feature this tool.

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Use it with your team

This tool works best in a well-facilitated room.

Using this tool with a skilled facilitator means that discussions are focused, time is used efficiently, and the group moves toward consensus, making the session productive and impactful.