Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence

A TNCPE ASSESSMENT iS

a bird’s eye view of your organization from a systems perspective.

A TNCPE ASSESSMENT iS

an effective way to energize and engage employees.

A TNCPE ASSESSMENT is

a tool to help increase your focus on business results.

A TNCPE ASSESSMENT IS

a low-cost consultation for strategic planning input.

About the Assessment & Awards Program

Applying for a Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence Award is an effective way to look at your organization from a systems perspective, energize employees, and increase the focus on business results using the comprehensive feedback report that details your organization’s strengths and opportunities for improvement. Successful organizations use this low-cost consultation as a key strategic planning input.

The TNCPE Award program is open to companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations throughout Tennessee (some out-of-state organizations are also eligible). Whether you’re large or small, established or start-up, the program is scalable to fit your organization’s unique profile.

Are you interested in getting started now? Level 1 applications are open all year long. Jump to the Level 1 application information.

Levels 2, 3, and 4 applications open in April of each year. Contact us for more information on how to get started!

The 2026 cycle is off and running – check back for 2027 dates

Level 1

Requirements:

5-page Organizational Profile
Criteria Coaching
2 Half Day workshops

Recipients of the Interest Award are in the beginning stages of applying performance improvement principles by defining the organization’s most important plans and resources.

Level 2

Requirements:

15-page Criteria Response
Covers Basic-level questions
1-day site visit

Recipients of the Commitment Award have demonstrated progress by identifying and putting into place some key process improvements that are directly attributable to a fact-based improvement process.

Level 3

Requirements:

35-page Criteria Response
Covers Overall-level questions
2-day site visit

Recipients of the Achievement Award have demonstrated significant progress in building systematic, well-deployed processes that are aligned throughout and demonstrate cycles of learning.

Level 4

Requirements:

50-page Criteria Response
Covers Multiple-level questions
3-day site visit

Recipients of the Excellence Award have demonstrated, through their processes, practices and results, the highest level of performance excellence.

GETTING STARTED

The Framework is the foundation of your application. TNCPE’s version of this book contains the entire Baldrige Framework, as well as information on TNCPE’s assessment process and support workshops. This will help you determine the award level you would like to apply for. There are no prerequisites, so jump in based on what’s best for you!

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

Prepare and submit documents based on your application level. For Level One, you will submit an application and appropriate fees. For levels 2, 3 and 4, the application is broken into two parts: 1- The Intent to Apply and 2 - the Application Form and written response to the criteria questions.

LEVEL 1 | ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

TNCPE will assign a Master Examiner coach to facilitate a ½ day workshop. This workshop will prepare you and your leadership team to write an organizational profile with the continued help of your coach. Once you submit your completed Organizational Profile, you are officially a TNCPE Level 1 recipient!

LEVEL 1 | BRIDGE WORKSHOP

You’re not finished yet! After becoming a TNCPE Level 1 Award winner, your coach will return for another ½ day workshop to introduce you to the rest of the Baldrige Criteria. This interactive workshop will help you identify your strengths and opportunities for improvement.

LEVELS 2, 3, & 4 | WRITTEN APPLICATION

Once you are ready to complete an application for a Level 2, 3 or 4 award, you will need to submit a written response to the appropriate Criteria question level. Your written response will be assigned to a highly-trained examiner team who will conduct an initial evaluation.

LEVELS 2, 3, & 4 | SITE VISIT

During the site visit, your examiner team will tour your facilities and ask questions to gain a greater understanding of your organization.

AWARD NOTIFICATION & FEEDBACK REPORT

When your examiner team has completed the evaluation of your written response & their site visit, the assessment is assigned for review. The Panel of Judges will review the team’s work and will determine your award level. A member of the TNCPE leadership team will call with your final Award information and send you a report detailing the strengths & opportunities for improvement the examiners identified.

AWARD RECOGNITION

Award recipients are honored at the Annual TNCPE Excellence Conference. Join us as guests of honor at our Excellence Celebration to receive your official award and be recognized for your pursuit of excellence.

Ready to Apply?

If you’re ready to apply, your next step is simple. Head to our:

Assessment Application page for everything you need—step-by-step instructions, deadlines, submission forms, and clear guidance based on your chosen award level.

Want to make a difference as part of the evaluation process?

Learn more about becoming an examiner and help other organizations grow while sharpening your own performance skills.

Learn More About the Assessment Process
Learn More About Becoming An Examiner

Not ready yet? Keep scrolling to learn more.

tncpe_performance-excellence_business-organization_assessment-training-consultant_tennessee-framework-540

Just Getting Started?

A great way to get started is by ordering a copy of the TNCPE Baldrige Excellence Framework. This book is the foundation of the TNCPE program and provides details regarding application and eligibility requirements, as well as the Criteria for Performance Excellence on which to base your self-assessment. Order your copy of the framework online here or by emailing the TNCPE office at contact@tncpe.org.

Order the Framework

Thinking about applying for a Level 1 Assessment?

Level 1 is designed for organizations that are just beginning their performance excellence journey. This self-assessment process helps you clearly define who you are, what you do, and where you’re headed. You’ll receive guidance from a Baldrige coach and take part in a structured self-assessment that lays the foundation for future improvement.

Learn More!

Applications Are Open All Year Long

Apply Today!

Ready to level up your excellence journey?

Get In Touch!

We chose to do it because we wanted to be excellent, not ordinary. It’s helping build credibility while also improving who we are.

– Alan Lovelace, RPM Pizza, LLC –

The {assessment} process was very well laid out, and we had lots of resources to use in submitting our application.

– Tina Reisedge, First Horizon –

It gave us a framework for all of the different types of things we were trying to accomplish.

– Elaine Boyd, TN Department of Environment and Conservation –

Applicant Resources

Application

Tips, Tools & Best Practices

How do I learn more about the criteria?

Check out our #ExcellenceAtADistance series for more information about the criteria and how to apply it to your organization.

How many pages should we allocate to each Category?

Page allocation table

How do we learn more about writing an application?
No matter where you are on your excellence journey, TNCPE has a workshop to help you improve performance. We can provide tailored instruction at your workplace on various topics:

Should we skip Level 2?

Blog Post — Skipping a Grade: A jump from a Level 1 to a Level 3 application can be done. But is it a smart strategy?

Baldrige Framework Books

Order the Framework for Performance Excellence

Baldrige Excellence Builder

Based on the more detailed Baldrige Excellence Framework and Criteria for Performance Excellence, the Baldrige Excellence Builder helps you assess your organization’s strengths and opportunities for improvement against the most important features of organizational performance excellence. By completing and acting on this assessment, you will be better positioned to accomplish your mission, improve your results, and become more competitive.

Download a free digital copy or order hardcopies of the Baldrige Excellence Builder

Baldrige Cybersecurity Excellence Builder

The Baldrige Cybersecurity Excellence Builder is a self-assessment tool to help organizations better understand the effectiveness of their cybersecurity risk management efforts, and identity improvement opportunities in the context of their overall organizational performance. This self-assessment tool blends organizational assessment approaches from the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program (BPEP) with the concepts and principles of the Cybersecurity Framework developed by National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Applied Cybersecurity Division (ACD).
Download the free Cybersecurity Excellence Builder

Criteria Commentary

The Criteria Commentary provides summaries of the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence categories and items.

You can download the Criteria Commentary for free:

Need a refresher or an intro to Excellence?

View Training + Facilitation

Category	Points	Level 4 50 pgs.	Level 3 35 pgs.	Level 2 15 pgs.
1 \| Leadership	115	7	4.2	1.8
2 \| Strategic Planning	90	4	2.9	1.3
3 \| Customer Focus	85	5	2.9	1.3
4 \| Measurement, Analysis, Knowledge Management	90	4	3.2	1.3
5 \| Workforce Focus	85	4	2.9	1.3
6 \| Operations Focus	85	6	2.9	1.3
7 \| Results	450	20	16	6.7
Totals	1,000	50	35	15

Assessment Level	Number of Employees	*Site Visit/Workshop Fee -** Member	*Site Visit/Workshop Fee -** Non-Member
Excellence Award (Level 4)	Less than 100	$2,160	$2,700
	100-500	$3,120	$3,900
	501-1,500	$5,040	$6,300
	More Than 1,500	$6,000	$7,500
Achievement Award (Level 3)	Less than 100	$1,920	$2,400
	100-500	$2,640	$3,300
	501-1,500	$4,080	$5,100
	More Than 1,500	$5,280	$6,600
Commitment Award (Level 2)	Less than 100	$1,680	$2,100
	100-500	$2,400	$3,000
	501-1,500	$3,840	$4,800
	More Than 1,500	$5,040	$6,300
Interest Award (Level 1)	Less than 100	$680	$850
	100-500	$920	$1,150
	501-1,500	$1,400	$1,750
	More Than 1,500	$1,880	$2,350

Requirement	Commitment Award (Level 2)	Achievement Award (Level 3)	Excellence Award (Level 4)
Intent to Apply/Eligibility Form	REQUIRED FOR ALL Submit by May 31 Intent to Apply due with $250 non-refundable fee
Organization Profile	REQUIRED FOR ALL 5-page maximum The Organizational Profile is submitted along with the Application Form, Application Fee, and Criteria Response. (see below)
Application Form & Fee	REQUIRED FOR ALL Submit by July 31 Applicants must use the Application Form via tncpe.org.
CEO Signature	REQUIRED FOR ALL
Criteria Response	1. Organizational Profile 2. Basic Item Questions 15-page maximum One electronic copy saved in PDF format	1. Organizational Profile 2. Overall Item Questions 35-page maximum One electronic copy saved in PDF format	1. Organizational Profile 2. Multiple Item Requirements 50-page maximum One electronic copy saved in PDF format
Site Visit*	One day, plus half-day workshop**	Two days	Three days
Recognition Eligibility	Commitment or Interest	Achievement, Commitment, or Interest	Excellence, Achievement, Commitment, or Interest
Applicant Responsibilities		Provide at least one TNCPE examiner*** Assistance to other organizations	Provide 2 or more TNCPE examiners† (a balanced combination of new and experienced) Assistance to other organizations Participation in annual Conference Best Practice tour

Number of Employees (Full-Time Equivalent)	Workshop Fee (L1) / Application Fee (L2,3,4) Member	Workshop Fee (L1) / Application Fee (L2,3,4) Non-Member
Less than 100	$920/$1,600	$1,150/$2,000
100-500	$1,640/$3,040	$2,050/$3,800
501-1,500	$2,600/$4,960	$3,250/$6,200
More Than 1,500	$3,800/$7,360	$4,750/$9,200

Assessment Level	Number of Employees	Intent to Apply / Administration Fee	Application/Workshop Fee - Member / Non-Member	Site Visit/Workshop Fee* - Member / Non-Member	Total with 20% Member Discount	Total at Regular Rate
Excellence Award (Level 4)	Less than 100	$250	$1,600/ $2,000	$2,160/ $2,700	$4,010	$4,950
	100-500	$250	$3,040/ $3,800	$3,120/ $3,900	$6,410	$7,950
	501-1,500	$250	$4,960/ $6,200	$5,040/ $6,300	$10,250	$12,750
	More Than 1,500	$250	$7,360/ $9,200	$6,000/ $7,500	$13,610	$16,950
Achievement Award (Level 3)	Less than 100	$250	$1,600/ $2,000	$1,920 / $2,400	$3,770	$4,650
	100-500	$250	$3,040/ $2,000	$2,640/ $3,300	$5,930	$7,350
	501-1,500	$250	$4,960/ $6,200	$4,080/ $5,100	$9,290	$11,550
	More Than 1,500	$250	$7,360/ $9,200	$5,280/ $6,600	$12,890	$16,050
Commitment Award (Level 2)	Less than 100	$250	$1,600/ $2,000	$1,680/ $2,100	$3,530	$4,350
	100-500	$250	$3,040/ $3,800	$2,400/ $3,000	$5,690	$7,050
	501-1,500	$250	$4,960/ $6,200	$3,840/ $4,800	$9,050	$11,250
	More Than 1,500	$250	$7,360/ $9,200	$5,040/ $6,300	$12,650	$15,750
Interest Award (Level 1)	Less than 100	$250	$920/ $1,150	$680/ $850	$1,850	$2,250
	100-500	$250	$1,640/ $2,050	$920/ $1,150	$2,810	$3,450
	501-1,500	$250	$2,600/ $3,250	$1,400/ $1,750	$4,250	$5,250
	More Than 1,500	$250	$3,800/ $4,750	$1,880/ $2,350	$5,930	$7,350

A TNCPE ASSESSMENT iS

a bird’s eye view of your organization from a systems perspective.

A TNCPE ASSESSMENT iS

an effective way to energize and engage employees.

A TNCPE ASSESSMENT is

a tool to help increase your focus on business results.

A TNCPE ASSESSMENT IS

a low-cost consultation for strategic planning input.

About the Assessment & Awards Program

The 2026 cycle is off and running – check back for 2027 dates

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

GETTING STARTED

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

LEVEL 1 | ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

LEVEL 1 | BRIDGE WORKSHOP

LEVELS 2, 3, & 4 | WRITTEN APPLICATION

LEVELS 2, 3, & 4 | SITE VISIT

AWARD NOTIFICATION & FEEDBACK REPORT

AWARD RECOGNITION

Ready to Apply?

Just Getting Started?

Thinking about applying for a Level 1 Assessment?

Applications Are Open All Year Long

Ready for More?

Ready to level up your excellence journey?

Applicant Resources

Application

Tips, Tools & Best Practices

Baldrige Framework Books

Baldrige Excellence Builder

Baldrige Cybersecurity Excellence Builder

Criteria Commentary

Need a refresher or an intro to Excellence?