Baldrige

The Malcolm Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence are a validated set of characteristics of high-performing organizations.  Although best known as the basis of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the Criteria are used as a management model that allows independent, systematic review of organizations, identifying strengths and opportunities for improvement.  

The Criteria

The Baldrige National Quality Program is a part of the Department of Commerce and was developed to help improve competitiveness of American companies.  When originally developed in the late 1980s, the criteria were very focused on manufacturing quality; however, over the years it has evolved into a management system that is applicable to any industry.  Currently there are six industry segments that can apply for the Baldrige Award: 

Manufacturing
Healthcare
Education
Service
Small Business
Non-Profit

In recent years, approximately half of the applicants for the Baldrige Award have come from the health care segment.