KC 3.4.2 - Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award

The US Congress established the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 1987 to raise awareness about quality management and to recognize U.S. companies that have successful quality management systems.

The award program focuses on quality as an integral part of today’s business management practices. The award’s criteria are widely accepted as the standard for quality excellence in business performance. They are designed to help companies deliver ever-improving value to customers and improve overall company performance and capabilities
The annual self-evaluation covers the following seven categories of criteria:

· Leadership
· Strategic Planning
· Customer and Market Focus
· Information and Analysis
· Human Resource Focus
· Process Management
· Business Results

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a federal agency within the Department of Commerce, is responsible for managing the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The American Society for Quality (ASQ) administers the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award under a contract with NIST.

Resources:

1. Official Website for Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award
2. Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award
3. Getting Started with Malcolm Baldrige NQA
4. Why apply for MB-NQA?