Strategic Planning
The second category is dedicated to a review of the organization's Strategic Planning process. This is a simple philosophy that is relatively easy to develop but most difficult to implement and maintain. The premise is: know where you are today, decide where you want to be tomorrow and develop action plans to achieve your goals. The overall corporate strategic plan should be understood by everyone in the organization keeping the "vision" in focus.

Customer and Market Focus
This category looks at how the company determines what their customers require and expect of them and preferences of customers and markets. It also looks at how the company builds relationships with customers. The category also looks at how the company determines the key factors that lead to gaining new customer, ensuring satisfaction and, finally, retention. This is considered a key to expanding the business.

Information and Analysis
The Information and Analysis category examines how the company determines which information is critical to success. In addition to defining which metrics the company uses to determine success, this category asks the company to explain the process used to determine which information is important to the company and how that information is translated into measurable, actionable plans.

Human Resource Focus
The Human Resource Focus Category examines how the company motivates and enables employees to develop and utilize their full potential in alignment with your organization’s overall objectives and action plans. Also examined are the company's efforts to build and maintain a work environment and an employee support climate conducive to performance excellence and to personal and organizational growth.

Process Management
The Process Management Category examines the key aspects of the company's process management, including customer-focused design, product and service delivery, key business, and support processes. This Category encompasses all key processes and all work units.

Business Results
The Business Results Category examines the company’s performance and improvement in key business areas— customer satisfaction, product and service performance, financial and marketplace performance, human resource results, and operational performance. Also examined are performance levels relative to those of competitors.

We offer you a link to www.nist.gov, the caretakers of the Baldrige process. There you will find the latest editions of Performance Excellence Criteria for Business, Education and Health Care.