purposescreating

Purposescreating is a term used to describe the deliberate generation and articulation of purposes or aims for a project, organization, or initiative. It combines the notions of purpose and creation and can appear in discussions of goal-oriented design, strategic planning, and governance. The term is not standardized across disciplines and may be encountered as "purpose creating" or "purposes-creating" in different texts.

In practice, purposescreating involves identifying stakeholders, clarifying values, exploring needs, and proposing concrete purposes that guide decisions and actions. Common methods include facilitated workshops, interviews, co-creation sessions, backcasting, scenario planning, and roadmapping. The aim is to produce a clear set of purposes aligned with a broader mission and actionable by teams, with guidance for implementation and evaluation.

Applications span corporate strategy, product development, public policy, community projects, and personal development. For example, a company might use purposescreating to align a product with user values and regulatory goals, or a city agency might craft purposes that balance safety, equity, and sustainability.

Critics argue the term can be nebulous without practical governance. Risks include ambiguity, conflicting aims, and mission drift. Proponents contend that deliberate purposescreating fosters coherence between aims, actions, and assessment. Related concepts include goal setting, mission development, and design thinking.