vision statement
A concise, high-level statement that sets expectations for the product: who the market and users are, the primary value and outcomes it will deliver, and the distinctive qualities that set it apart from alternatives.
Key Points
- Brief and future-focused; describes desired outcomes and value, not detailed features or plans.
- Identifies target market and user segments, key benefits, and what differentiates the product from competitors.
- Aligns stakeholders and guides product decisions such as prioritization, scope, and trade-offs.
- Should be clear and testable through success criteria, and updated as new insights emerge.
Example
Telehealth platform vision: "Enable busy working parents to access same-day pediatric care via secure video visits, reducing missed work and ER visits by 30% within 12 months, differentiated by insurer integration and AI-driven triage that cuts wait times." This guides backlog items toward access, integration, and triage features first.
PMP Example Question
A sponsor asks for a single artifact that describes intended customers, key benefits, and competitive differentiation to align stakeholders before backlog refinement. What should the team produce?
- A vision statement
- A release plan
- A sprint backlog
- A work breakdown structure (WBS)
Correct Answer: A — A vision statement
Explanation: A vision statement captures target users, expected benefits, and differentiation at a high level, providing alignment without detailing schedule, tasks, or budget.
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