Examiner/Assessor Training 

Challenge 

Do you want to use the Baldrige Criteria for self-assessment or to define key business processes but don’t know where or how to begin?  Are the Criteria a bit daunting and you’d like to gain a better understanding of what they mean? Do you know the best way of using the assessment information to drive improvement?  

At first glance, the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence can seem overwhelming and confusing.  The Criteria are a set of expectations or requirements that define the critical factors that drive organizational success. They are organized around key processes, and are very comprehensive, addressing about 100 different areas in seven major category subdivisions. No wonder first-time users require some explanation.   

In addition to understanding the Criteria, your examiner/assessor needs to understand the assessment process – from scoping the project to development of an improvement plan.  Like any new process, there are some unique skills to learn to make the assessment more effective.  

Solution 

DeBaylo Associates conducts Examiner (or Assessor) training for organizations that want to learn how to use the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence.  This need might stem from a strong curiosity, but most often is coupled with the need to perform a self assessment.  We can also coach examiners through the assessment process.  

Examiner training can take on several forms.  Our consultants can provide briefings to your management team about the Criteria and assessment process.  More often we provide formal training of examiners who will participate in the self-assessment process or who will be examiners for internal, state or national level award programs modeled after Baldrige.  

Approach 

Our Examiner training follows the Baldrige model.  Our consultants are current or past Senior Baldrige Examiners, Judges for State Award programs, and have trained literally thousands of examiners since 1989.  We will train your staff to be assessors, or to facilitate assessments for your organization. We often do the training and facilitate the assessment ourselves so you can take advantage of our vast experience.   

Key features of our examiner training program are: 

p      80% experiential workshops and 20% interactive lectures

p      Use of relevant case studies and current Criteria

p      Mimics the Baldrige examination process, with the exception that feedback can be prescriptive

p      Uses our six step self-assessment process, including Management Action Planning

Results 

Our consultants work with your organization so you begin to understand the Baldrige Criteria and how it can be applied to your business.  With our expert guidance and tutorage, developed over a decade of experience, those going through the assessor training will be able to:  

p      Educate others in the organization on the principles of performance excellence

p      Identify key business processes and compare them to the Baldrige standards of performance excellence

p      Develop a common language for use in assessment and improvement activities

p      Participant in self-assessments to identify organizational strengths and opportunities for   improvement