Illinois Performance Excellence recognizes that organizations may be at different stages in their journey to excellence and need options in seeking feedback and guidance to implementing and refining a management system for performance excellence. To assist such organizations, Illinois Performance Excellence has developed three applications that are designed to assess the degree to which an organization has developed and deployed sound, balanced approaches resulting in improved performance levels and trends.
Interest Level
The Interest Level is for those organizations that have made a commitment to use performance improvement principles, but are early in their journey. This level involves developing an Organizational Profile. Organizations that complete an Organizational Profile are recognized at the annual Recognition Ceremony with the Interest in Excellence certificate.
For the Interest Level application, click here.
Basic Level
The Basic Level is for those organizations that have begun using quality principles to build a sound management system. Such organizations will have identified areas that are most important to the organization’s long-term success and will have begun developing systematic approaches for key processes. It is likely that measures and performance levels can be demonstrated in some of these areas. Organizations answer the basic level questions in the Baldrige Criteria and develop an Organization Profile. Organizations submitting this application are recognized at the annual Recognition Ceremony with the Engagement to Excellence certificate.
For the Basic Level application, click here.
Award Level
The Award Level employs the full set of performance excellence criteria used at the national level for the Baldrige Award. Generally, Illinois organizations that have been working with performance excellence principles and concepts for some time apply at this level. Organizations applying for the Award Level can demonstrate trends in performance. Organizations applying at the Award Level and participate in a site visit are eligible to be selected as recipients of the Illinois Awards for Excellence. The honor includes recognition as state role models for achieving sustained performance excellence at the Illinois Performance Excellence “Saluting Excellence” Recognition Ceremony. The three award level are: 1) Bronze Award for Commitment to Excellence; 2) Silver Award for Progress toward Excellence; and 3) Gold Award for Achievement of Excellence.
For the Award Level application, click here.
