Malcolm Bridge Quality Award (Research Paper Sample)

Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award
Name
Institution
Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award
This award aims at promoting quality and performance attentiveness in business (L. Martin, 2012). Companies that have managed to receive this award have been trendsetters that are keen in continuous progress in products and services delivery, proving effective and reliable procedures in their specific industries. A company named Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control of Texas earned the award on November 14th 2012 (L. Martin, 2012). This paper examines its efforts in putting in place the criteria for the award, the procedures it had to go through and the benefits that accompany such awards. The Paper emphasizes their hardwork to appraise and continuously increase control programs and quality assurance.
Before applying to participate in evaluation for eligibility for this award, Lockheed took time to focus on development of key areas that are usually measured against the performance thresholds. James Berry, the president of the company clarifies that Lockheed did this by solidifying its market share, improving on process efficiency and strategic planning; ensuring the importance of customers when developing the products was paramount, strengthening teamwork through focused leadership and production of high quality products (C. Amerine, 2013). After putting these in order, Lockheed went through the evaluation process to ascertain its eligibility for the award.
How the evaluation Process is conducted
After paying the review participation fees, Lockheed, alongside other participants, submitted details that clearly showed their improvements and achievements in knowledge management, process management, human resource management, strategic planning, leadership, market and customer focus, measurement and analysis. A board of examiners selected using a competitive application procedure and including a variety of experts in all respective award categories was used to do the award eligibility analysis.
First, applications from the participants are reviewed by a board of examiners. The examiners write observations from their findings from the first application. They awards marks to the applicants using a system designed for the award program after which a panel of judges then determines applicants that move to the next stage. The second stage involves a senior examiner who is responsible for gathering all of the material presented by the team of examiners. He or she ensures that the group attains unanimity on their view of the participant’s strengths and short comings. The team decides the participant’s general score. They also agree on any other matters that may need addressing.
During the final stage a visit to the site is made to participants that have qualified. This is done to validate the material on the application, to evaluate records and to perform essential interviews. It is also done to clarify any other information from the review process that is not clear to the assessors. Resulting reports are submitted for a concluding ranking and voting process to a panel of judges to decide the winners. (Brian & Ulmer, 2009)
Benefits
Besides low level of product defects, attaining quality leadership means organizations achieve the highest levels of excellence in all areas of organizational operations and performance (“The Benefits of Quality Awards”, n.d.). Companies also adopt this for internal assessments and in-house awards programs. Quality award programs have also aided businesses and other institutions improve their capability to compete an...