The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award

The  Malcolm  Baldrige  national  Quality  Award  is  the  premier  award  for quality achievements and business excellence in the United States. As of 2009,  84 organisations that  demonstrated ever-increasing  value  to  their customers, organisational effectiveness and learning have received this award. Many companies use the Baldrige criteria to assess performance and measure their progress relative to a recognised compilation of best practices.

In  order to enhance the  competitiveness  of  U.S.  business  the  Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award was established by congress in 1987. It is named after Mr. Malcolm Baldrige, who served as United States secretary of commerce from 1981-1987. This award promotes quality awareness. It recognises the quality and performance achievements of U.S organisations and also publicises successful performance strategies that ensure business excellence. Manufacturing, service, small business, education and health care are the some of the categories of this award.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) manage the Baldrige program. Organisations that have exemplary achievements in leadership, strategic planning, customer and market focus, measurement, analysis and knowledge management, human resources focus, process management and business results receive this award.

A  rigorous  examination  process  is  conducted  for  all  applicants  of  the Baldrige Award. This is a 300 to 1,000 hours of outside review. Outside reviews are done by examiners without visiting the organisation. In the final stage applicants are visited by teams of examiners who assess the organisation. Independent board of examiners primarily from private sectors review all applications. The awards are announced at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. and presented by the President of the United States. Every applicant receives a report indicating the strengths and opportunities for improvement.

Table: Sample data of Malcolm Baldrige Award

The Malcolm Baldrige national quality award is a criterion designed to help organisations use an integrated approach to organise performance management. The aim of Malcolm Baldrige program is the following:

• Delivering ever-improving value to stakeholders and customers leading to organisational sustainability.
• Improving overall organisational effectiveness and capabilities.
• Organisational and personal learning.

The award itself, though prestigious, is not the only way an organisation can benefit from the Baldrige National Quality Program. Any organisation may complete a self-assessment using the award criteria and gain insight into its quality performance. Application documents contain clear and specific descriptions of criteria and scoring procedures. Applying these criteria can be a stand-alone effort for internal benefit or the first step in a complete application process.