Examiner Resource Center

2024 Baldrige Examiner Training & Evaluation

Beginning in 2024, as an outcome of the Baldrige Reimagined transformation, a new Baldrige Award Criteria and award process reshaped the Baldrige Examiner® Training. 

Examiner Training now focuses on three main phases: 

• Independent Analysis 
• Consensus Evaluation
• Site Visit 

Training is delivered in a blended learning format, with weekly online content and virtual sessions. Examiners who complete the four-week training course are invited to become part of the Board of Examiners. 

Independent Analysis

Once award applications are received, teams of examiners are assigned to each applicant for the Baldrige Award. During the three-week-long Independent Analysis phase, each team member evaluates a Baldrige Award applicant’s responses to the eight award criteria sections. Based on an evaluation rubric, examiners rate the data, comparisons, and relevance provided by the applicant. 

Consensus Evaluation

Once all team members have completed their independent evaluations, the team moves to the Consensus Evaluation phase. The goal of this three-week-long phase is to come to agreement on all evaluation ratings for each of the eight award criteria sections (54 questions in total). 

A final Consensus Evaluation workbook of applicant results ratings is then shared with the Baldrige Judges’ Panel. Looking at blinded data only, the judges assess the applicant ratings and decide which applicants should become finalists and receive a site visit.

Site Visit: Virtual & On-Site Interviews

Before the four-week Site Visit phase begins, applicants respond to a second data request that asks questions about their processes—which connect to the results they provided in their applications. Process questions cover aspects of all eight criteria sections. 

SV has two parts: virtual interviews and on-site interviews. In the virtual interviews, examiners seek clarity and understanding about gaps in the applicant’s results responses and validate process responses. Examiners use a process evaluation rubric to rate applicants’ responses to the questions. They independently complete evaluations and ratings and then meet to reach a consensus on final evaluations. These final evaluations are recorded in the Site Visit Evaluation workbook.

Baldrige judges use examiners’ evaluations and ratings on applicants’ results and processes to determine which Site Visit finalists should be recommended to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce for the Baldrige Award.

What Baldrige Examiners Are Saying

return on investment was huge

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[Baldrige] has changed my perspective on assessment, continuous improvement, and organizational development. The return on investment for my organization was huge! It was an inexpensive way to learn tactics and techniques for implementing quality.

equally important to training are network opportunities

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The ROI [return on investment] for the organizations for whom I have worked has always been bringing back to the team new insights and examples from other organizations both within and outside our sector. Equally important to the training are the network opportunities that often result in continued discussion to support our organization's efforts. I now have colleagues across the United States and abroad who continually add value to my learning and that of the organization.