APPLY
Photo: Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland was an award recipient in 2019 and proud team members are shown receiving the Spirit Award.
Begin the Application Process
Two Levels
Organizations interested in performance excellence often begin their journey at various levels of knowledge and understanding of the Baldrige Excellence Framework and may apply to TPE at one of two levels:
-
Level 1
A. Advising
Advising is for organizations that are new to the Baldrige program and just getting started. A professional coach will work with your team to further explain the Baldrige Excellence Framework and help you draft a 5-page Organizational Profile. Once completed, TPE Examiners will provide written feedback to you. Successful completion of the Advising level results in the “Spirit” award recognition at TPE’s annual Quest for Success Conference.B. Partnering
This is Part II of the Advising & Partnering program. Your professional coach will review the feedback report for your Organizational Profile and assist you in interpreting the feedback including linking your organizational profile to the process categories and aligning to the Baldrige Criteria, and developing a timeline to get you started on developing a 25-page abbreviated application addressing the Baldrige Excellence Builder criteria. The Partnering phase focuses on processes, systems and associated results. Once the 25-page application is completed (there is no time limit) examiners will provide a written feedback report. Successful completion of the Partnering level results in the “Pioneer” award recognition at TPE’s Quest for Success Conference. Some organizations which have already developed an organizational profile choose to begin their journey with TPE at this level.APPLY
Complete the Advising & Partnering application. -
Level 2
Examining Program
This level is focused on providing a complete feedback report to all applicants and recognizing their performance relative to the Baldrige Criteria. It is not competitive among applicants; your only competition is you, on the journey to performance excellence.
The Examining Program is the traditional full 50-page application and assessment mirroring the national Baldrige Performance Excellence Program. Organizations already familiar with Baldrige may enter directly into our examining program. An Intent-to-Apply form is due to TPE on August 15th each year and a full 50-page application is due on December 1st.
The examining process leverages the human resources and analysis provided by our examiner team. TPE Examiners evaluate the application independently and then as a team to reach consensus. A three-day site visit is completed in March to verify and clarify the information in the application. The applicant receives a written feedback report with strengths and opportunities for improvement. Judges make award level recommendations to the TPE Board of Trustees in May and applicants are recognized with a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum (Governor’s Award for Excellence) Award at TPE’s Quest for Success Conference in September.
Supporting Documents
Here are some additional documents that can help assist you in the application process.
-
Start the Journey Brochure
-
2023-2024 Full Application Intent to Apply Handbook
-
Baldrige 20/20 Executive Guide
-
Application Fees
Executive Presentation
Questions? We offer a complementary executive presentation for those interested in getting started on their Baldrige Journey. The presentation is approximately 60 minutes and explains the Baldrige Excellence Framework, The Partnership for Excellence and our programs, and first steps to getting started. It is an ideal presentation for your senior leadership team and can be accomplished on-site or by webinar. After the presentation we can discuss how to best proceed.
Contact us to be your guide on your journey to performance excellence!
Photo: Darin Atteberry, City Manager, Fort Collins, CO makes an insightful point on team leadership at the Quest for Excellence Conference.
