13 Reasons Why Missions Fail

The OECD Mission Action Lab critically examines the practice of missions and mission-oriented policies as well as their suitability to different problem contexts. Addressing complex challenges comes first, methods come second. The Lab is, thus, not promoting "missions" as the one and only instrument to address complex problems or societal transitions. Rather, we aim to understand when and how mission as an approach to public policies is useful and, sometimes more importantly, when it is not.

Based on the activities and research conducted by the Mission Action Lab at the OECD, there are several areas where we fear that missions are in danger of under-delivering on their ambitious promise. In some cases, missions may not be the right approach to begin with; while in others, more commitment to missions is needed.