The Quality Boxes Understanding the Baldrige Quality Framework How it applies to any area of the organization – from the Cabinet to the classroom

The Quality Boxes are generic representations of the Baldrige Criteria. They serve to demonstrate how the criteria can be used in any system throughout the organization.

The Leadership Box Leadership (or Facilitation) (1) This is reflected in Category 1 - Leadership In any system there is a person (or people) who leads or facilitates. It could be a Teacher It could be a Director, or It could be President No matter what the system or activity, these people have the same kinds of responsibilities.

The Needs and Requirements Box Needs and Requirements (3) The first step is understanding that there are needs and requirements to be met. Most often there are many groups whose competing needs must be weighed against each other.  Customers  Learners  Regulatory Bodies  The Marketplace  Community  Universities This is reflected in Category 3 – Customer Focus Leadership or Facilitation (1) These needs should drive the development objectives. In the classroom, needs and requirements give rise to learning objectives.

The Planning Box Needs and Requirements (3) This is reflected in Category 2 – Strategic Planning Planning (2) Planning is a process where strategies are developed to meet the needs and requirements. It asks, “How will the system meet the objectives?” Leadership or Facilitation (1) Objectives

The Results or Outcomes Box Needs and Requirements (3) This is reflected in Category 7 - Results Planning (2) Results and outcomes are the system’s performance gauges. These measures should act as a feedback loop. They become critical pieces of information for the next cycle and they form the basis for continuous improvement. Leadership or Facilitation (1) Results or Outcomes (7) Objectives

The Process Box Needs and Requirements (3) This is reflected in Category 6 – Process Management Planning (2) Leadership or Facilitation (1) Results or Outcomes (7) Process (6) Processes are the activities and methods that achieve the outcomes desired. They are improved through a planning process; but also note that they are completely designed to meet needs and requirements. Objectives

The People Box Needs and Requirements (3) This is reflected in Category 5 – Workforce Focus Planning (2) Leadership or Facilitation (1) Results or Outcomes (7) Process (6) People (5) People must be developed or trained to carry out the system’s processes. Objectives

The Information Management Box Needs and Requirements (3) This is reflected in Category 4 – Measurement and Analysis Planning (2) Leadership or Facilitation (1) Results or Outcomes (7) Process (6) People (5) Objectives In all activities (all the boxes) use information and analysis - “How do you know?”