2024 PATHWAYS AND OPTIONS

Applying for a Wisconsin Forward Award is transformational for many organizations. Whether returning as an applicant or just beginning your involvement with the Baldrige Framework, the knowledge and insight you gain from documenting your responses to the Criteria questions, and receiving feedback from external, trained Examiners will help your organization improve key business results, as well as better engage and satisfy customers, stakeholders and your workforce. Think of it as a low cost, high impact diagnostic service for your organization!  We are  happy to answer questions, or provide additional training and resources to help you optimize your organization or community.

Any public or private organization located in Wisconsin may participate in the Wisconsin Forward Award program.  Sub-units of larger systems are also eligible to participate. The information below is designed to help you determine the best path for your organization. We are happy to discuss options, timelines and resources with you, as well as ways we can support you and your organization or community

Wisconsin Challenger Profile helps organizations get started by responding to straight forward questions about their organizational context and key results which will help lay groundwork for future improvement efforts—as well as future applications.  The Challenger application is based on the new 2024 Baldrige Award Criteria and process.  The fee includes a planning session that will help lay the groundwork for future application. Challenger applicants are recognized at our annual awards event. Wisconsin Challenger Profile applications are accepted throughout the year.  You’ll  typically receive feedback within 6-8 weeks.
Who should apply at this level? Applicants who seek to align the organization by obtaining agreement on key contextual and strategic information, as well as key results.  A Challenger application urges organizations to identify and focus on the most key organizational factors–and this often results in rich discussion and learning.
Your Investment: 
Application Only: $600 WCPE members/ $1200  non members.  Fee includes  an examiner review and feedback report, plus a post-submission action planning session to address gaps and continuous improvement opportunities that will help lay the groundwork for future application.
Facilitated Application: $1200 for WCPE members/ $2500 non members. Includes a 1-day facilitated session to write the Challenger profile and a post submission action planning session.
Nonprofits, government entities and educational entities should contact us about pricing.
2024 Wisconsin Challenger intent to apply and application 
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Wisconsin Fast Forward is the beginning-to-intermediate-level application—it’s a stepping-stone for organizations aspiring to complete one of the Wisconsin Forward Award application options. Organizations submit a Fast Forward self assessment (there is no page limit) based on the basic and overall requirements of the Criteria for Performance Excellence found in the Baldrige Excellence Builder.  Fast Forward applicants are recognized at the annual awards gala to showcase their pursuit of advancing to higher levels of performance.
Who should apply at this level? The Fast Forward application is most suitable for organizations that:

  • Are new to internal organizational self-assessments and the Baldrige/WFA Criteria
  • Want to engage employees in the organization’s management practices and related results
  • Have some, but not most, of their key processes documented in some format
  • Have favorable measures/results, and have started to trend data and use comparative data

The Baldrige Excellence Builder is a free resource from the national Baldrige Performance Excellence Program that answers key questions for improving your organization’s performance.
Your Investment:
Application only: $1200 WCPE member/$2500 non member Includes examiner team review, a written feedback report, and a 1-day virtual or live site visit and an action planning session
Facilitated Application:$2400 WCPE member/$5000 non member  Includes a 2-day facilitated session to assist in writing the Fast Forward Application. Nonprofits, government entities and educational entities should contact us about pricing.
Download the Wisconsin Fast Forward Intent to Apply Form 
Wisconsin Fast Forward instructions and Criteria 

Wisconsin Forward Award Option A – Streamlined Application based on 2024 Baldrige Award Criteria and Format

Organizations can opt to use the  2024 Baldrige Award Criteria & Format  Depending on the findings of the Examiner team and Panel of Judges, applicants could be recognized at Proficiency, Mastery or Excellence levels.

  • For each of the 8 Criteria Question Sections there are 2 types of questions: one asks about key processes used, and the other results and/or outcomes achieved
  • Results and outcomes carry more weight and are the focus of the application review phase
  • Results will be evaluated based on:
    • the responsiveness to the question asked,
    • performance levels and trends,
    • comparisons to competitors and industry benchmarks (as appropriate), and relevance of the metrics provided.
  • Applicants are limited by character count and a maximum of 3 charts/tables/graphs depending on the question type.

Who should apply at this level? Organizations with some familiarity with the Baldrige Framework who have interest in applying at the national level. If your organization is using this option, you may wish to contact us for additional information. There are two parts to this  streamline application:

Intent-to-Apply
Organizations submit an Intent-to-Apply Form. The information provided enables the Forward Award administrators to verify organizational eligibility. The information also provides a basis for assigning Examiners. Applicants receive confirmation of their eligibility in writing.
Application Package
Organizations submit an Application  Package that includes four key components — written responses to the 2024 Baldrige Award Criteria  organizational profile and award criteria questions, intent to apply forms signed by WFA with application number, and the application fee.

Your Investment includes an examiner team review and comprehensive feedback report, as well as a post-feedback meeting with WFA and examiner team representatives.  Nonprofits, government entities and educational entities should contact us about pricing.

Organizations with <99 employees:  $ 2470 WCPE member  /$4940 non member
Organizations with 100 – 499 employees: $3465 WCPE member  /$6930 non member
Organizations with >500 employees:  $4952 WCPE member / $9850
Organizations earning an on site visit will be charged a site visit administrative fee of $1750, plus examiner team travel and lodging expenses.

Download the Wisconsin Forward Award Intent to Apply Forms and Instructions
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Wisconsin Forward Award OPTION B – Narrative Application

Organizations prepare a 50-page narrative application based on the 2023-25 Baldrige Excellence Framework. Depending on the findings of the Examiner team and Panel of Judges, applicants could be recognized at  Proficiency, Mastery or Excellence levels.

Who should apply at this level? A 50 page narrative application is most suitable for organizations that:

  • Conduct strategic planning
  • Have a set of measures and targets
  • Have identified, and are beginning to document, and measure the effectiveness of key customer, product, service, business and support processes
  • Have human resource plans
  • Have generally positive results over time (trends) in many to most key business areas and are using comparative and benchmark data to set targets
  • Most importantly, are open to continued feedback for improvement, and want to celebrate their successes!

There are two parts to this narrative application:

Intent-to-Apply
Organizations submit an Intent-to-Apply Form. The information provided enables the Forward Award administrators to verify organizational eligibility. The information also provides a basis for assigning Examiners. Applicants receive confirmation of their eligibility in writing.
Application Package
Organizations submit an Application  Package that includes four key components — an Organizational Profile (not to exceed five pages) and written responses to the Baldrige Criteria (not to exceed 50 pages), intent to apply forms signed by WFA with application number, and the application fee. In responding to the Criteria found in the Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework, each applicant provides information and data on the organization’s quality improvement and performance management processes and related results.

Your Investment includes an examiner team review and comprehensive feedback report, as well as a post-feedback meeting with WFA and examiner team representatives. Nonprofits, government entities and educational entities should contact us about pricing.
Organizations with <99 employees:  $ 2470 WCPE member  /$4940 non member
Organizations with 100 – 499 employees: $3465 WCPE member  /$6930 non member
Organizations with >500 employees:  $4952 WCPE member / $9850
Organizations earning an on site visit will be charged a site visit administrative fee of $1750, plus examiner team travel and lodging expenses.

Download the Wisconsin Forward Award Intent to Apply Forms and Instructions for Option A or B
Download  the 50 page narrative application package  (link includes key dates and deadlines, intent to apply forms, checklists and guidelines).  Applicants should use  2023-25 Baldrige Excellence Framework.  You can preview and  purchase sector-specific Baldrige Excellence Framework booklets using this link.

Collaborative Assessments are appropriate for organizations either just getting started with the Baldrige framework and/or already on the journey but interested in more consultative (prescriptive) feedback via on site interviews.  Organizations can customize the focus of the assessment, which may be based on a past application, an organizational profile, results and interviews, or a combination that best meets the needs of the organization.  Contact us to discuss your needs, and learn more about options and time frames.  Collaborative assessments are conducted outside of the award process at a time and pace that works best for you and your organization.

Getting Started – Resources 

An organizational self assessment is a terrific way to start.  Consider using one of these free tools.  We are happy to offer ideas on ways to use these resources in your organization.
Are We Making Progress – a simple assessment tool and the companion, Are We Making Progress As Leaders?

easyInsight introduces you to the Baldrige Organizational Profile, part of the Baldrige Excellence Framework. The Organizational Profile is a snapshot of your organization, the key influences on how you operate, and the key challenges you face.
Choose the  easyInsight version that fits your organization:  Education  Health Care  or Manufacturers, Service Organizations, Small Businesses, Nonprofit Organizations, and Government Organizations

Baldrige Excellence Builder  and a companion Self-Analysis Worksheet
Baldrige Key Terms
Baldrige Improvement Tools
The Baldrige Criteria 101