 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
From automated teller machines and atomic clocks to mammograms and semiconductors, innumerable products and services rely in some way on technology, measurement, and standards provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Founded in 1901, NIST is a non-regulatory federal agency within the U.S. Commerce Department's Technology Administration. NIST's mission is to develop and promote measurement, standards, and technology to enhance productivity, facilitate trade, and improve the quality of life. NIST carries out its mission in four cooperative programs:
The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award was created by Public Law 100-107, signed into law on August 20, 1987. The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology manages the Baldrige National Quality Program in close cooperation with the private sector. Principal support for the program comes from the Foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, established in 1988. The Award is named for Malcolm Baldrige, who served as Secretary of Commerce from 1981 until his tragic death in a rodeo accident in 1987. The Baldrige Award is given by the President of the United States to businesses—manufacturing and service, small and large—and to education and health care organizations that apply and are judged to be outstanding in seven areas: leadership; strategic planning; customer and market focus; measurement, analysis, and knowledge management; human resource focus; process management; and results. Three awards may be given annually in each of the different business categories To date, there have been four (4) healthcare award winners. In October 2004, President Bush signed into law legislation that authorizes NIST to expand the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Program to include nonprofit and government organizations. Who administers the award? What are the industry categories of award recipients? Industry categories that awards have been created and given for include: Manufacturing, Service, Small Business, Education and Healthcare. What are the Baldrige criteria? The Baldrige performance excellence criteria are a framework that any organization can use to improve overall performance. Seven categories make up the award criteria: Leadership-Examines how senior executives guide the organization and how the organization addresses its responsibilities to the public and practices good citizenship. Strategic planning-Examines how the organization sets strategic directions and how it determines key action plans. Customer and market focus-Examines how the organization determines requirements and expectations of customers and markets; builds relationships with customers; and acquires, satisfies, and retains customers. Measurement, analysis, and knowledge management-Examines the management, effective use, analysis, and improvement of data and information to support key organization processes and the organization's performance management system. Human resource focus-Examines how the organization enables its workforce to develop its full potential and how the workforce is aligned with the organization's objectives. Process management-Examines aspects of how key production/delivery and support processes are designed, managed, and improved. Business results-Examines the organization's performance and improvement in its key business areas: customer satisfaction, financial and marketplace performance, human resources, supplier and partner performance, operational performance, and governance and social responsibility. The category also examines how the organization performs relative to competitors.
Where do I go to find more information? The most authoritative site is the official NIST Baldrige National Quality Program site. ASQ and state award programs are also good resources. Application forms can be obtained from the official NIST BNQP site. How can I become an ASQ member? How do I register for the Baldrige for Healthcare Network? |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
