New E-Baldrige Tool Goes Online

Compiled ByPeter Strozniak A new Web-based tool named E-Baldrige Organizational Profile has been developed in an effort to help companies determine if they are ready to use the performance excellence criteria for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award program. The E-Baldrige tool -- available from the National Institute of Standards and Technology -- asks a series of questions about the company's operations; relationships with customers, suppliers, and partners; as well as the firm's competitive position and performance-improvement measures. The company's answers are compared with those from companies that also have completed the E-Baldrige questionnaire. The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award is a national program to recognize U.S. companies for their achievements in quality and business performance.