On September 17th, TNCPE President and CEO Heather Schoch led a one-hour webinar for our excellence community on the newly streamlined and redesigned Baldrige Framework. We are excited to share a recording of the event and the presentation slides for anyone that could not attend (or...
Since the inception of the Baldrige Excellence Framework, Category 4 has always focused on data. Originally titled “Information and Analysis”, the category’s moniker has experienced a few new iterations in the past (almost) 40 years. It was most recently known as “Measurement, Analysis, and Knowledge...
TNCPE Welcomes Participants from KY and SC to Join Us in the Pursuit of Excellence After a successful 10+ year collaboration with the North Carolina Awards for Excellence (NCAfE), TNCPE is excited to enter into a partnership with the Kentucky Center for Performance Excellence (KYCPE) and...
TNCPE is pleased to share that registration is now open for September 2026 Lean Six Sigma courses, offered in partnership with The Lean Six Sigma Company. These courses are designed for professionals who want to build real, applicable improvement skills that translate directly to the...
The Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence (TNCPE) is proud to announce that Wes Kelley, President & CEO of Huntsville Utilities, is the recipient of the 2026 Ned R. McWherter Leadership Award. The Ned R. McWherter Leadership Award annually recognizes an individual who exemplifies outstanding leadership...
The Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence (TNCPE) is proud to announce that Lee H. Brown, President and CEO of Erwin Utilities Authority, is the recipient of the 2025 Ned R. McWherter Leadership Award. The Ned R. McWherter Leadership Award annually recognizes an individual who exemplifies...
Everyone by now has experienced artificial intelligence (AI). It has become part of our lives, from interactive voice assistants (e.g., Alexa, Siri), to Face ID on smart phones and virtual filters on apps, to algorithms on search engines and screening sites that use our behaviors to...
After earning TNCPE's Excellence Award in 2017, the City of Germantown became Tennessee's latest recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award--a prestigious honor they received just two years later. Recently, the City of Germantown sat down with our partner state program, Oklahoma Quality Foundation (OQF),...
The Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence (TNCPE) is proud to announce that Tami Anderson, former Vice President of Quality and Patient Safety at University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC), is the recipient of the 2024 Ned R. McWherter Leadership Award. The Ned R. McWherter Leadership...
The Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence is partnering with the Lean Six Sigma Company to offer Green Belt and Black Belt virtual training classes starting throughout the year! Boost your career with a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt training! A Green Belt or Black...
After the site visit, our independent Panel of Judges reviews your application and finalizes your award determination.
Feedback is the most valuable part of the process—award or not.
Your examiner team visits your location to learn more, ask clarifying questions, and validate key processes.
This is a low-stress, learning-focused visit—meant to support your journey.
Our examiners independently evaluate your application, then come together to form a consensus and prepare helpful feedback.
The review sets the stage for your site visit and personalized feedback.
This is your written response to the Baldrige-based Criteria. The depth and length depend on your chosen award level.
Before you submit your application, let us know you’re planning to apply! The Intent to Apply form confirms your eligibility and helps us plan examiner resources.
Once submitted, you’re officially on the path toward a performance excellence assessment.
Organizational Profile Workshop
Description: The Organizational Profile Workshop introduces participants to the foundational elements of the Baldrige Excellence Framework. Attendees will learn how to develop an Organizational Profile, providing a snapshot of their organization’s purpose, key relationships, and strategic context. Answering the questions in the Organizational Profile helps leadership teams agree on what is most important, align operations with their mission and performance goals, and kickstart their journey to excellence.
Level 1 Bridge Workshop
Description: The Level 1 Bridge Workshop is a pivotal session designed to transition organizations from crafting their Organizational Profile to engaging with the foundational questions of the seven categories within the Baldrige Excellence Framework. This interactive workshop provides participants with tailored feedback and actionable insights, highlighting their strengths and opportunities for improvement in each category of the Criteria. By engaging in this workshop, organizations are equipped with the tools and guidance to set the stage for exponential improvement, positioning them for greater performance and strategic alignment.
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 |
*Applicants outside of Tennessee must pay an additional $1,000 travel fee. Applicants will be invoiced for the Site Visit Fee following completion of the site visit.
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***
| Provide 2 or more TNCPE examiners† (a balanced combination of new and experienced)
Participation in annual Conference | |
* Applicants must pay a site visit fee to cover site visit costs. See table below for details.
** After receiving their Feedback Report, Level 2 applicants host a half-day workshop that will help them understand and prioritize the examiners’ feedback.
*** Examiners are provided for the next application cycle.
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 |
*This fee table represents the application fees only. Site visit fees will be invoiced following completion of the site visit.
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 |
Workforce size is based on the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) employees working for the applicant. FTEs are defined as those who regularly work 37.5 or more hours a week and are entitled to benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave, and insurance coverage. Each instance of job sharing, where multiple individuals fulfill the responsibilities of a single position that require 37.5 or more hours per week, is counted as one FTE.
The Criteria response must be submitted with the Organizational Profile, Application Form, and Application Fee.
Glossaries, title pages, organizational charts, and tables of contents are not counted in the page limit. All remaining pages should be consecutively numbered from start to finish. Electronic materials must be saved in one PDF file and emailed to contact@tncpe.org by the deadline on the Application Form. Please do not send a PDF of a scanned document.
