Category-and-Item-Commentary

2013–2014 Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence

Category and Item Commentary

This commentary provides brief summaries of the Criteria categories and items. It also includes examples and guidance to supplement the notes that follow each item in the Criteria booklet. For additional free content, and to purchase the Criteria, see http://www.nist.gov/baldrige/publications/business_nonprofit_criteria.cfm.

Preface: Organizational Profile

Your Organizational Profile provides a framework for understanding your organization. It also helps you guide and prioritize the information you present in response to the Criteria items in categories 1–7. The Organizational Profile provides your organization with critical insight into the key internal and external factors that shape your operating environment. These factors, such as your organization’s vision, values, mission, core competencies, competitive environment, and strategic challenges and advantages, impact the way your organization is run and the decisions you make. As such, the Organizational Profile helps your organization better understand the context in which it operates; the key requirements for current and future business success and organizational sustainability; and the needs, opportunities, and constraints placed on your organization’s management systems.

P.1 Organizational Description

Purpose

This item addresses the key characteristics and relationships that shape your organizational environment. The aim is to set the context for your organization.

Commentary

Understand your organization. The use of such terms as purpose, vision, values, mission, and core competencies varies depending on the organization, and your organization may not use one or more of these terms. Nevertheless, you should have a clear understanding of the essence of your organization, why it exists, and where your senior leaders want to take it in the future. This clarity enables you to make and implement strategic...