ISO/AWI 37011

Purpose Driven Organizations — Guidance

Scope

This document will provide guidance on what a purpose is, how a purpose-driven organization (PDO) approaches decisions, and how it acts. It outlines the worldviews, principles and associated behaviours and activities of a PDO.
It will provide guidance to governing bodies and executive managers of organizations on:
• developing an understanding of purpose and the relevancy and level of challenge of their organization in becoming a PDO;
• terms and definitions related to purpose;
• understanding the worldviews, principles and behaviours of a successful PDO and what it might need to do to align with them;
• developing strategies and actions to enact and embed purpose in organizational policies, processes, practices, products, services and value networks;
• aligning purpose with decision making across the organization.

It is applicable to all types and sizes of organizations, including private and public sector organizations, regulators, central and local government and professional bodies. It is particularly relevant for governing bodies and executive managers to develop their understanding and implementation of a purpose.
It is also relevant for those providing services and support to organizations as well as stakeholders who might benefit from understanding purpose and who might invest in, support and help hold organizations to account for their commitment to purpose.