MSPOTs stands for Mission, Strategy, Plays, Omissions & Targets. The aim of MSPOTs is to create company vision and alignment.

MSPOTs are a goal-setting framework that ladders down, from leadership to individuals in teams. Typically, leadership teams develop MSPOTs, and then share them with functional managers in a top-down way.

These targets unite around strategic vision whilst preserving autonomy in functional teams

• Five items cascade down, each informing the next one below it:

  • Mission: Company’s big-picture vision, and it rarely changes
  • Strategy: Explains how the company plans to achieve the mission
  • Plays: 4-5 big annual initiatives that are part of the strategy
  • Omissions: Projects that won’t be worked on according to the strategy
  • Targets: Measurable and realistic means to hold everyone accountable

MSPOTS are a great way to set product goals when you need to unite your team around a strategic vision but don’t want to be prescriptive. They are a great communication method, alongside being a framework.

The limitations are that they’re time consuming to create, which can be challenging for leadership.

To write MSPOTs, there is a 5 step framework to follow.

The five items cascade down, each informing the next one below it:

1. Mission: Company's big-picture vision, which rarely changes

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2. Strategy: Explains how the company plans to achieve the mission

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3. Plays: 4-5 annual initiatives that aren't part of the strategy

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4. Omissions: Projects that won't be worked on according to the strategy

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5. Targets: Measurable and realistic means to hold everyone accountable