Glossary

Malcolm Baldrige Award

Recognizes continuous improvements in quality management by US manufacturers, service companies, educational institutes and healthcare providers. Also published a criteria for performance excellence with seven categories.

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.