What Is the Baldrige Program?
The national quality award was created by Public Law 100–107 in August 1987. Established at a time when great concerns existed about U.S. competitiveness abroad, the program sought to raise awareness about the importance of quality and organizational performance. At the time, many American businesses either did not believe quality mattered or did not know where to begin. The Baldrige award was envisioned as a standard of excellence that would help U.S. companies achieve world-class quality. The award is named for Malcolm Baldrige, who served as the U.S. secretary of commerce from 1981 until his tragic death in a rodeo accident in 1987. His commitment to managerial excellence contributed to long-term improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of government. This award is not given for specific products or services but for demon-strated performance. Awards can be given in five categories: manufacturing, service, small business, education, and health care. Starting in 2007, nonprofit
