There are now four ways to apply for the Wisconsin Forward Award. Click here for detailed information on all application methods and related materials.
- Challenger profile: a streamlined organizational profile along with key results designed for organizations new to WFA/Baldrige. Organizations may apply for Challenger recognition at any time.
- Wisconsin Fast Forward: a 25-page narrative focusing on the basic and overall requirements of the Criteria designed for organizations in the early-to-mid-stages of the performance excellence journey. Organizations may apply for Fast Forward recognition at any time but must submit an intent-to-apply no earlier than 30 days and no later than six weeks before you submit your application.
- Wisconsin Forward Award (narrative): a 50-page narrative focusing on all requirements of the Criteria similar to the Baldrige National Quality Award application process, designed for organizations in the mid-to-advanced stages of the performance excellence journey. Intents-to-apply were due on November 6, 2009, and applicants must submit full applications by Friday, January 15, 2010.
- Wisconsin Forward Award (Baldrige Express survey): an expanded organizational profile and key results presented in conjunction with the Baldrige Express survey, designed for organizations in the to mid-to-advanced stages of the performance excellence journey who have limited time or resources to write a full 50-page narrative. Intents-to-apply were due on November 6, 2009, and applicants must submit adapted Criteria questions and complete the Baldrige Express survey by Friday, January 15, 2010.
Click here for a summary of all four application pathways
The newly revised Baldrige National Quality Program's Criteria for Performance Excellence are available by free download (.pdf) for business/non-profit, education, and health care organizations. The 2010 review cycle will be based on this set of Criteria.
If you would like to purchase printed copies of any Criteria book for $4 each plus actual shipping costs, contact the WFA Office at info [AT] forwardaward [DOT] org or at (608) 663-5300.
"We felt that we're a world-class convention center but wanted a method in which to prove it," says Monona Terrace's Gregg McManners in the April edition of Capital Region Business Journal. The Journal reports on Wisconsin Forward Award's review process and its benefits, particularly benefits specific to a down economy. To download a copy of "Going Forward," click here (.pdf), or click here to browse additional WFA in the News items.
Wisconsin Forward Award, Inc. (WFA) partners with Wisconsin organizations to solve the issues of competitive performance, operational excellence, and sustainability, leading to improved economic performance, creating jobs, and improving the quality of life in Wisconsin.
We offer a variety of external assessment and feedback tools, programs, and mentoring that assist in the development of a performance feedback loop that identifies clear improvement opportunities.
Our programs—based on the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence—are applicable to all organizations regardless of size, within all economic sectors (manufacturing, service, health care, education, non-profit, governmental agencies, etc.), and serve as a performance improvement umbrella under which other improvement strategies such as Six Sigma or Lean can operate.
For more information about WFA, and its programs and services, please contact the WFA office by e-mail or at (608) 663-5300.
“We often learn more about ourselves and how to improve when we measure our efforts against others. The Wisconsin Forward Award Program recognizes world-class standards of management excellence among the state’s organizations. The program has been developed to help Wisconsin organizations achieve world-class quality, meet international competition, and continuously learn and improve performance.
Having innovative and high-performing Wisconsin organizations able to compete in a global market is vital to our state’s economy. The long-term impact of ongoing organizational commitment to performance excellence can be linked with major gains in financial performance, customer satisfaction and retention, and improved employee performance and involvement.”
Governor Jim Doyle
Wisconsin Forward Award Announces 2010 Award Recipients (July 1, 2010)
Tommy G. Thompson Kicks Off Wisconsin Forward Award Conference with Keynote Address (January 26, 2010)
2010 Forward Award Cycle Announced (September 30, 2009)
National Baldrige Quality Program alumnus and WFA Team Leader Colleen McGuigan on using the Baldrige framework for improvement in Milwaukee Public Schools on the Watchdog Milwaukee blog, March 24, 2010
"Going Forward: Want to learn a lot about your business? Apply for the Wisconsin Forward Award," from Capital Region Business Journal , April 2009
ASQ Section 1216 (La Crosse/Winona) Meets with the School District of Holmen, October 21, 2008
"A Long Cup of Coffee with SPD Nick Chiarkas," from Wisconsin Lawyer, September 2008
WFA acknowledges support from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, lead sponsor MetaStar, Inc., and contributing members of Friends of Forward. |
A division of the Wisconsin Center for Performance Excellence
