The Baldrige Assessment

The Baldrige Assessment is a self-assessment approach designed to improve customer service and overall organizational performance. In 2000, Iowa state government agencies began to examine their operations using the Baldrige National Quality Program criteria for Performance Excellence. These same criteria were developed to assess performance in business, education, health care and not-for-profit organizations across the United States and serve as the foundation for the Baldrige National Quality Program. Categories addressed include:

1. Leadership - How an agency sets and communicates direction and supports key communities
2. Strategic Planning - How the organization looks to the future
3. Customer Focus - How customers and their requirements are identified
4. Measurement Analysis and Knowledge Management - How data are used in decision making and knowledge is shared across the organization
5. Workforce Focus - How the agency recruits and develops employees and encourages innovation and learning
6. Process Management - How day-to-day operations are managed and improved
7. Results - What results are achieved

Using a systematic approach, state agencies gather data on current performance levels relating to the criteria. Specifically, for Categories 1-6 agencies are asked to document what approaches are used and how they are deployed throughout the organization. Category 7 demonstrates results achieved. The self-assessment process lays the groundwork for agencies to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement and implement strategies designed to close performance gaps and achieve results that are important to Iowans.

While previous self-assessments (2000-2006) were conducted using examiners internal to state government, the State of Iowa is now partnering with Iowa's State Baldrige Award process, known as the Iowa Recognition for Performance Excellence program (IRPE). For more information on the IRPE assessment process or how to submit an application to conduct an assessment, click on the following link - http://www.iowaqc.org/content/Home/IRPE/tabid/63/Default.aspx

For more information contact Linda Leto at 515-281-3853 or Linda.Leto@iowa.gov