Eligibility

Applying for a Wisconsin Forward Award is transformational for many organizations. The process is both impactful and satisfying. Receiving Baldrige-based recognition is acknowledgment that your organization’s processes align with the standards of excellence from similar organizations around the world. 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.

Whether returning as an applicant or just beginning your involvement with the Baldrige Criteria, the knowledge and insight you gain from documenting your responses to the Criteria questions, and receiving feedback from external evaluators (called Examiners) will help your organization improve key business results, as well as better engage and satisfy customers, stakeholders and your workforce. We think of it as a low cost, high impact consulting service. We are happy to answer questions, or provide additional training and resources to help you optimize your organization or community.

When you are ready for external review and feedback

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.

Wisconsin Forward Award 50-page narrative application that is accepted twice a year, in winter and summer. This option is closely aligned to the national Baldrige award process. Depending on the findings of the Examiner team and Panel of Judges, applicants could be recognized at Commitment, Proficiency, Mastery or Excellence levels. There are two parts to this narrative application:

Intent-to-Apply
Organizations submit an Intent-to-Apply Form, 20% of the total application fee, and related materials. 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.
Investment:
Organizations with <99 employees: $4940
Organizations with 100 – 499 employees: $6930
Organizations with >500 employees: $9850

Organizations earning an on site visit will be charged a site visit administrative fee of $1750, plus examiner team travel and lodging expenses.

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!

Download the 50 page narrative application package (link includes key dates and deadlines, intent to apply forms, checklists and guidelines). Applicants should use 2021-22 Baldrige Excellence Framework. You can preview and purchase sector-specific Baldrige Excellence Framework booklets using this link. Business/Nonprofit, Education, Health Care

Wisconsin Fast Forward is the beginning-to-intermediate-level application—it’s a stepping-stone for organizations aspiring to complete a full 50-page written Wisconsin Forward Award application. 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.

Investment: $3450 Includes a 1-day virtual or live site visit and an action planning session
$5450 Includes a 2-day facilitated session to assist in writing the Fast Forward Application

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.

Wisconsin Fast Forward intent to apply form, instructions and Criteria. Wisconsin Fast Forward applications are accepted throughout the year.

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. Challenger Profile applications are accepted throughout the year. The fee includes a planning session that will help lay the groundwork for a Fast Forward or narrative application. Challenger applicants are recognized at our annual awards gala.
Investment: $2250 Includes a post-submission action planning session to address gaps and continuous improvement opportunities, as well as help lay the groundwork for a Fast Forward or narrative application.
$3750 Includes a 1-day facilitated session to write the Challenger profile

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. Baldrige asks organizations to prioritize the “vital few.” A Challenger application urges organizations to identify and focus on the most key organizational factors–and this often results in rich discussion and learning.
Wisconsin Challenger Profile applications are accepted throughout the year. You’ll typically receive feedback within 6-8 weeks.

Wisconsin Challenger application information and instructions.

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. We use sub-contracted consultants approved and managed by the WCPE (and selected by you, the organization). Consultants will be highly skilled in the Baldrige framework. The assessment may also use a complementary examiner team of sector experts, facilitated by the consultant. 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.
Investment: Consultative assessment $7,500. Consultative assessment plus examiner team $11,000