Board of Examiners
Why Become a Delaware Quality Award Examiner?

You can help your organization achieve performance excellence by being trained as a Delaware Quality Award examiner:

• Gain a greater understanding of the real meaning of a quality organization
• Learn and use the Baldrige National Quality Award Criteria
• Take quality principles back to your organization
• Help Delaware become a better place to live and work
• Experience personal and professional growth

The Delaware Quality Award utilizes the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Criteria as the basis of its award program. The MBNQA is the highest level of national recognition for performance excellence. It is based on the verified management practices of the most successful organizations in the world.

As a Delaware Quality Award Examiner, you will receive three days training in the MBNQA criteria. You will then have the opportunity to evaluate organizations who submit applications for the state’s most prestigious quality award. You also will conduct a site visit at one of Delaware’s best organizations.

Participating in this quality process will give you a greater understanding of the real meaning of a quality organization. Not only will you add to your own development as a quality professional, but your own organization will benefit as you implement quality principles in your daily work.

Volunteering as a Delaware Quality Award Examiner will provide you with the satisfaction of contributing to making Delaware a quality place to live and work. It will also give you the opportunity to significantly contribute to your own growth and development. Most organizations within Delaware recognize the value of the training provided by this process and allow their employees time away from their regular job to participate as a Delaware Quality Award Examiner.

Past Delaware Quality Award Examiners tell us...

“Being an examiner was of great value to me and to my organization. I had been on the applicant's end of the process, but it was most enlightening to be on the other end as well. I gained a much better understanding of the criteria and learned more about what the judges are looking for in an application.” Dr. Tracey Connolly, Training and Education Administrator, Delaware Department of Finance

“The Delaware Quality Award examiner training was excellent. It helped me to evaluate the DQA application very objectively with quality in mind. Just to go through the process itself is worthwhile.” Dr. Palaniappa Krishnan, Director, Operations Research Program, University of Delaware

“Each year, as I gain greater insight into how effective organizations are managed, my own analytical, communication, team member, and writing skills are challenged and improved. Being an examiner is not just about evaluating an organization, it is also an opportunity for personal growth and development." William Groft, Internal Auditor, Delaware Division of Revenue

"I have gained much knowledge in understanding performance excellence. This new knowledge has helped me to grow and learn, in both my personal and business life. I would recommend being an examiner to anyone that wants to improve themselves and their organization; the experience has been well worth the effort." John Jay Brady, Tax Manager, Delaware Division of Revenue

“Although this was one of the most rigorous intellectual exercises in my working life, it was also one of the best. I would recommend to anyone who is interested in leadership and organizational accomplishment to give serious consideration to becoming a Quality Examiner.” Terry Plummer, MSLS, Administrative Librarian, Delaware Division of Libraries

“Being a quality examiner is both rewarding and “punishing.” Punishing” because it takes a lot of commitment, because you have to make every effort to be fair to the applicant by making sure all evidence is examined and weighed against the Baldrige scoring criteria. However, without the punishment, there can be no rewards. In the end, as an examiner, you are left with a rich knowledge base of quality, which can be applied to your own organization and even your personal life. It is the ultimate team experience.” Despina Williams, MBA, MPA, Management Analyst, Delaware Division of Libraries