Standard Flowchart Shapes
When diagramming processes, these standard shapes indicate very specific types of process steps.
Download itResources for Individuals, Organizations and Communities
Tools and connections for improvement.
Our members and stakeholders are part of a powerful network of performance excellence enthusiasts who want to make their organizations and communities the best they can be.
Benchmark and SWIPE**
Learn from the network.
Our members and stakeholders are part of a powerful network of performance excellence enthusiasts who want to make their organizations and communities the best they can be. We are proud to partner with the following organizations who freely share insights and information:
Baldrige Performance Excellence Program
The Baldrige Program oversees the nation's only Presidential award for performance excellence while offering a wide array of award-winning products and services, including the world-renowned Baldrige Excellence Framework.
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The Alliance for Performance Excellence
The Baldrige Alliance represents local, state and regional organizations like the Wisconsin Center for Performance Excellence who seek to support and advance continuous improvement and performance excellence.
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Communities of Excellence 2026
COE2026 believes that if America is to sustain its vitality, promote opportunity, and create a more equitable society during its second 250 years of existence, we must improve the performance of communities and the people who lead and live in them.
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American Society for Quality (ASQ)
Headquartered in Wisconsin, and a Wisconsin Forward Award Excellence recipient, ASQ champions people passionate about quality in more than 130 countries.
Visit siteAmerica Needs Baldrige
Two-time Baldrige winner Midway USA has used the Baldrige leadership and management framework to achieve best practice results. They created this site to explain how they started — and maintained — high levels of organizational performance.
Visit site**Our friends at the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence remind us to SWIPE – Steal with Integrity, Pride and Enthusiasm!
Quality Improvement Tools and Templates
Put reliable methods to work.
Below are some frequently requested tools and templates used by our facilitators and applicant organizations. We routinely update our Resources and Tools page. Share your favorites with us to post here.
Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) Outline
PDCA is widely recognized approach to improvement. This model also accounts for measure improvement.
Download itSIPOC Chart
This chart is useful for determining the contributing factors to a process, including customers and suppliers.
Download itProject Tracking Template
This tool allows for a quick status report on multiple projects.
Download itStakeholder Needs-Deliverables Matrix
Taking into consideration the needs of anyone affected by a change is more likely to result in successful adoption.
Download itFew-Many-Most
A guide to calibrating these terms, especially in reference to results.
Download it5 x 5 Template
5 slide template to document a change or improvement project.
Download itJob Shadowing Work Sheet
Sometimes the best way to learn about a process is to simply observe someone doing it.
Download itRed-Yellow-Green Consensus Tool
A handy way to gain consensus.
Download itHave a favorite tool or template? Share it with us to post here.