Award Applicants

Renee Tew describes how the TNCPE Awards Program has helped her business and has inspired her partners to get involved.

Congratulations! Applying for a TNCPE Award sets you on a journey toward performance excellence. Whether your organization is a returning applicant or this is your first year to participate, the knowledge you gain will result in more efficient processes, an empowered workforce and a greater bottom line.

No matter where you are in the award application process, the TNCPE staff is available to help you along the way: (800) 453-6474.

Level I applicants: If you submit your application by Dec. 1 of this year, you will be recognized at the upcoming Excellence in Tennessee Awards Banquet in February.

TNCPE Award Application Process

Chuck Shoopman talks about the improvements he has seen through the TNCPE's programs.

Step 1: Obtain a copy of the TNCPE Criteria for Performance Excellence. In addition to providing the framework for your application, this book contains other important information regarding applicant eligibility, award application levels, fees and more.

Step 2: Determine your award application level. Please Refer to the Criteria for Performance Excellence for complete descriptions and requirements for each level.

Step 3: Prepare application documents

Resource: "So you want to use the Baldrige Criteria," a PowerPoint presentation developed by long-time Baldrige examiner and TNCPE trainer Dan Jordan, does a great job of defining Criteria terms. It's useful tool that you can use to deliver information about the TNCPE process to your organization's leadership and workforce.

Level 1 applicants

Fill out a Level 1 Application form
Complete the Organizational Profile. Level 1 Applicants may choose to respond to the Simplified Organizational Profile questionnaire or the standard Organizational Profile Questionnaire found in the Criteria for Performance Excellence.

TNCPE accepts Level 1 applications all year long. Mail 15 copies of your Level 1 documents plus application fees to the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence.

Level 2, 3 and 4 applicants

TNCPE accepts Level 2, 3 and 4 applications just once a year. If you want to be considered in the 2011 award cycle, your application packet must be postmarked by the dates below.

Send Intent to Apply Packet by July 1, 2011: This packet must include 15 copies of the Intent to Apply/Eligibility Form, 10 copies of your Organizational Profile and a $150 Intent fee. You must use the standard Organizational Profile questionnaire located in the Criteria.
Send Application Packet by Aug. 1, 2011: This packet must include 15 copies of the Level 2, 3 and 4 Application Form. 15 copies of your Criteria Response and application fees.

Members Note: TNCPE members may submit applications for evaluation and feedback at any time during the year, however they will not be in contention for an award unless they meet the above deadlines. For more information about TNCPE membership, please visit our membership page.

Step 4: Prepare for Site Visit

The team of examiners assigned to your organization will begin their evaluation a few weeks after you submit your application packet. Shortly after, the team leader will contact you to schedule a site visit. During the visit the examiner team will tour your facilities and ask questions to gain a greater understanding of your organization.

Level 2, 3 and 4 site visits typically occur during September and October. Level 1 site visits typically take place within six weeks after TNCPE receives the application.

A site visit fee applies to this step of the process. You will receive an invoice for this fee after the examiner team has completed its site visit. Please see the fee schedule for details.

Step 5: Award Notification and Feedback Report
In mid-November, the TNCPE Panel of Judges will review the examiner team’s work and confirm your award. Following this meeting, TNCPE will call with your results. You will receive your feedback report by the first of January.

Step 6: Recognition
Join us in February for the Excellence in Tennessee Awards Banquet, a gala event where your organization will officially receive its award and be recognized for your pursuit of performance excellence.

In addition, after you have been notified of your award, TNCPE will publicize your accomplishments via press release, e-mail blast to our database and posting on TNCPE.org.