Baldrige Program OverviewThe creation of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 1988 was a major step forward in quality management. The integrated and aligned systems model on which the award is based represented the first clearly defined and internationally recognized Total Quality Management (TQM) model. The award was developed by the U.S. Department of Commerce to encourage companies to adopt the principles and practices of TQM and thus improve their competitiveness.

The TQM model evolved from the work of W. Edwards Deming, Philip B. Crosby, Joseph M. Juran, and others.  These management theory pioneers helped the discipline of quality grow from simple quality assurance and control into the major movement of Total Quality Management. 

In 1992, the European Foundation of Quality Management developed a model similar to that of the Baldrige Award.  This model became the framework for the European Quality Award. Today, hundreds of quality awards based on a systems approach to performance excellence exist in most U.S. states and dozens of countries throughout the world.

Many organizations utilize the Baldrige criteria and framework to assess their performance and compare it to those of their competitors and peers.  Oriel’s philosophy is that this process is less about writing the application and winning the award than it is about using the Baldrige Model to begin your organization’s journey to performance excellence.

Dr. Stanley A. Marash, Chairman Emeritus of Oriel Incorporated, was one of the original examiners for Baldrige Award.  

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Oriel understands that achieving performance excellence is imperative in order for organizations to succeed in today’s business world.  To achieve this level of excellence, organizations need to operate at many different levels and with many different perspectives.  The Baldrige Award creates the framework for organizations to think strategically. 
 
As the accompanying graphic illustrates, the Baldrige Model focuses on operational excellence.  To attain excellence, organizations use a variety of improvement methodologies, such as those shown here.  The Baldrige Model does not replace these methodologies, but instead integrates these tools and methods to help companies achieve excellence.

The national Baldrige Program likes to use the graphic below to show how the Baldrige Framework relates to Lean and Six Sigma. The Baldrige Program’s directive further states, “The Baldrige Criteria, Lean, and Six Sigma are complementary, not mutually exclusive. Many organizations use Baldrige to develop an overall performance map to identify areas that need improvement, and then they use Six Sigma, Lean, or both tools to  design operations or improve processes within the organization.”

Oriel agrees with this approach and can teach you the Lean and Six Sigma improvement tools, along with others that we have developed, to help your organization excel in your market.  

Following are some of the materials that we’ve created to help organizations achieve excellence:

 

  • The Criteria for Performance Excellence  is a series of booklets that lay out the basis for conducting organizational self-assessments, putting together applications for the Baldrige Award, and giving feedback to applicants.  Included are the core values and concepts, the criteria for each of the seven categories of performance review, scoring guidelines, and other useful information.  This version of the Criteria is also known as the Criteria for Business and Nonprofit Organizations.
  • Healthcare Criteria for Performance Excellence is an adapted version of the Baldrige Criteria specially developed for the healthcare industry.  This version was created in response to the large number of healthcare providers now interested in improving their performance in today’s evermore competitive healthcare marketplace.  In fact, in the last decade national and state award programs have seen a significant increase in the number of healthcare organizations applying for excellence awards.  In that same period, nearly a dozen healthcare organizations received the Baldrige Award.  Because they are trained Baldrige examiners, Oriel’s consultants are aware of the differences in the criteria that apply to healthcare organizations.  We can assist you and your team as you assess your readiness for an application, or compare your performance to the Healthcare Criteria for Performance Excellence.  We can help you understand what your organization needs to focus on and address as you review your patient care, develop your healthcare outcomes, and review your processes for healthcare delivery.
  • Education Criteria for Performance Excellence is an adapted version of the Baldrige Criteria specifically developed for education providers.   The educational marketplace is becoming more crowded every year, and many institutions are focusing on performance excellence in order to remain competitive.  In the last several years, national and state award programs have noted a significant increase in the number of educational organizations applying for excellence awards, seven of which have received the Baldrige Award since 2001. Because they are trained Baldrige examiners, Oriel’s consultants are aware of the differences in the criteria that apply to educational organizations.  We can assist you and your team as you assess your readiness for an application, or compare your performance to the Education Criteria for Performance Excellence.  We can help you understand what needs to focus on and address as you review your relationship to students and other stakeholders, develop your student learning outcomes, and review your processes to deliver student and stakeholder value.

  • The Baldrige Framework shows the interrelationships among the seven categories of the Criteria and the eighth section of the application (known as the Organizational Profile).  The chart above shows the Leadership triad, which is comprised of three interrelated categories (Leadership, Strategic Planning, and Customer and Market Focus), as well as the Results triad, which is also made up of three interrelated categories (Workforce Focus, Process Management, and Results).  These six categories are underpinned by the category of Measurement, Analysis, and Knowledge Management, which provides all the measures and analysis needed to assess the triads and their unique categories.  The Organizational Profile helps an organization to analyze and reflect on its environment, business relationships, and challenges. 
  • Self-Assessment Forms (in three separate versions: business and nonprofit, educational, and healthcare) are available for organizations to assess their performance and determine whether or not they should apply for the award.  The Baldrige community is quick to note that the real purpose of the application program is not the award itself, but rather the journey to performance excellence.  It hopes that all organizations will take this journey in order to increase their ability to compete in the ever-growing challenges of today’s global marketplace.


Oriel consultants have expertise in all facets of the Baldrige Program and are happy to assist should your organization want to explore its possibilities.