Applying for a SWAE Performance Excellence Assessment is an effective way to look at your organization from a systems perspective, energize your employees, and empower your organization to improve results.
The SWAE Performance Excellence Assessment is open to companies and non-profit organizations throughout the Southwest Region (Arizona, Utah, and Nevada). Whether you’re large or small, established or start-up, the assessment process is scaled to fit your organization’s unique profile.
STEP ONE: IDENTIFY ASSESSMENT LEVEL, COMPLETE INTENT TO APPLY, AND SUBMIT APPLICATION
The foundation of SWAE’s Performance Excellence Assessment is the Baldrige Excellence Framework . Using questions posed in the Criteria, you’ll submit your intent to apply in June (unless you are submitting a process level application, which can submit an intent to apply at any time) and create your organization’s assessment application . The applications range from 5-55 pages based on which of the 5 application types you are submitting. Our Performance Excellence Program Schedule includes relevant submittal deadlines: process level applications can be submitted at any time and level 1-4 applications are submitted in August.
STEP TWO: EXAMINER REVIEW AND SITE VISIT
A trained team of SWAE examiners will review your application and then conduct a site visit to complete their assessment. Site visits are conducted in November (process level site visits are conducted throughout the year).
STEP THREE: RECEIVE FEEDBACK REPORT
Based on their findings, this team will prepare a detailed feedback report that provides valuable insight into your organization’s strengths and opportunities for improvement. Successful organizations use this low-cost tool as a key strategic input and, if your organization has been deemed to be high performing, it will be eligible to receive recognition and a SWAE Performance Excellence Award.
STEP FOUR: ATTEND AWARDS BANQUET
All applicants are recognized at the annual Awards Banquet. During the banquet, award winners are also recognized based on their level of achievement. SWAE also publicly recognizes award winners by publishing award-winning organizations on its website and various social media channels.
