Project Purpose Statement

An effective project purpose statement typically includes the following components:

Purpose Description

Write out a detailed explanation of the project’s value and its anticipated outcomes & expectations. Be as specific and concise as possible when describing these parameters.

Stakeholders

Identify those who are involved in or affected by the project. This would include end users and/or the community at large.

Call to Action

Clearly define what the project team is doing to deliver value, goals, and expectations to the stakeholders.

Documentation

Having a project purpose statement provides your team with a written record of the project’s intended value, business case, and objectives. This can be referred to later when making decisions that impact the project.

Communication

A project purpose statement effectively communicates the value and goals to stakeholders, including clients, team members, and decision-makers. This helps all people involved with the project get on the same page, which improves team decision-making and increases the connection to the purpose of the project.

Ultimately, the project purpose statement connects the team to the project outcome. When you know that the hospital you are working on is serving a low-income community who have to travel 40 minutes away for care, it is meaningful for everyone. You are all working together for the betterment of the community – it’s not just another job.

Alignment

With a project purpose statement clearly outlined, it ensures that all stakeholders are aligned with the project’s goals – keeping the end result in mind.

Project purpose statements are useful during key inflection points, such as during key decisions, and when adding new team members to the project. Here are some specific examples of when it’s useful to have a project purpose statement:

Project Start-up

At the onset of a project team’s formation, a project purpose statement should be drafted. Defining the purpose and objectives at the start of a project for the entire team helps drive effective decision-making with the end in mind. The project purpose statement should also be used for onboarding throughout the project as new team members are brought into the fold.

Stakeholder Engagement

When communicating with stakeholders, the community, and end users, it’s important to have a prepared project purpose statement to clearly and succinctly define the project team’s goals while aligning with the Conditions of Satisfaction. Since the community may not fully understand the CoS, this provides a clear way to share the value of the project and business case around it.

Transparency & Alignment

Creating a simple and effective purpose statement allows the team to be transparent in their goals and align as a team around a shared purpose.

Writing a compelling project purpose statement requires careful consideration of several factors. Here are key points to consider:

1. Clarity

Ensure the statement is clear and concise. Avoid jargon and complex language.

2. Relevance

Focus on the most relevant objectives and outcomes that matter to your team and stakeholders.

3. Brevity

Keep it brief but informative. Aim for a length that is comprehensive yet to the point.

4. Alignment

Make sure this is a multifaceted purpose that encompasses all of the team members (AEC & owners), not just the client/owner.

5. End in Mind

What is the value to the community and end users of this project?

6. Storytelling

Tell a compelling story that illustrates the project’s purpose.

7. Future Implications

Discuss the future implications or potential long-term effects. When this project is complete, how will it change something or someone?

8. Review & Edit

Review and edit the statement for accuracy and readability.

Example 1

Our $256 million project aims to design & build a state-of-the-art Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center in our rural community, providing essential trauma care for children, with doors opening to the first patient on August 1.

Example 2

Design and Build a state of the art research facility within budget enabling worldwide researchers to collaborate to cure and prevent breast cancer with state-of-the-art-equipment and flexible spaces by April 2027.

Example 3

The Blue Crane Project team is constructing a new environmentally-friendly and sustainable manufacturing facility providing consumers with peace of mind that we will not have to endure toilet paper shortages again.