The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award is the United States'premier award for business excellence and quality achievement.The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award is given to U.S.organizations that have exemplary achievements in seven areas:leadership,stategic planning,customer and market focus,information and analysis,human resource focus,process management,and results.The Baldrige Award is given by the President of the United States to businesses-manufacturing and service,small and largeand to education and health care organizations that apply and are judged to be outstanding in those seven areas.All applicants for the Baldrige Award undergo a rigorous examination process that involves a minimum of 300 hours of review by an independent board of examinrs primarily from the private sector.Final-stage applicants receive about 1,000 hours of review and are visited by teams of examiners to clarify questions and verify information.Each applicant receives a report citing strengths and opportunities for improvement.
