The BKD Indiana Quality Improvement Awards
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FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the BKD Indiana Excellence Awards?
  • What kinds of organizations are eligible to win?
  • How are the winners selected?
  • Who are the judges?
  • By what criteria are applicants judged?


     

    What are the BKD Indiana Excellence Awards?
    The BKD Indiana Excellence Awards recognize business excellence, rewarding organizations for doing better, no matter what their starting point. The program is founded on the concept that improving businesses improve Indiana, making it a better place to live, work and play. Winning organizations will demonstrate a commitment to business excellence through the improvement of a product, service or business practice and the positive impact it has on the organization and the state of Indiana.  

    What kinds of organizations are eligible to win?
    Any business or not-for-profit organization with operations in Indiana is eligible. Awards will be considered in the following categories. Final categories will be determined by the quantity and quality of the nominations received:
  • Health-care providers
  • Manufacturing and distribution - small (less than or equal to 200 FTEs*)
  • Manufacturing and distribution - large (more than 200 FTEs*)
  • Not-for-profit and government
  • Service

    *employees, full-time equivalents, including parent company and subsidiaries
     
    How are the winners selected?
    Applications in each category will be reviewed, evaluated and recognized through the following process:
    1. Each completed application will be scored in accordance with the award criteria. The top entries in each category will be selected as semi-finalists (no more than 10 in each category).
    2. On-site visits will be conducted at the facilities of each semi-finalist organization. Visiting judges will verify the accuracy of the application and further evaluate the nominee based on the award criteria. The combined results of the initial round of judging and the site visits will determine the finalists (no more than five in each category).
    3. Finalist applications and their site-visit reports will be reviewed and ranked by a panel of independent judges to determine the winner in each category.
    4. The winner in each category will be re-evaluated by a panel of judges (one from each category) to select the overall 2007 BKD Indiana Excellence Award winner.
    The top finalists in each category will be recognized at the awards luncheon. Award winners will receive trophies and banners. Category winners and finalists will be profiled in the January 2008 issue of Indiana Business magazine.
     
    Who are the judges?
    The semi-finalists and finalist judges (stages 1 and 2 above) will consist of representatives from sponsoring organizations. A final panel of judges consisting of an independent group of industry leaders from your profession and professional organizations will determine the winners in each category as well as the overall winner (stages 3 and 4 above).  
     
    By what criteria are applicants judged?
    Statement of Improvement (20%)
    1. The improvement initiative is in alignment with the organization's strategic objectives.
    2. The initiative takes into account customer and/or other relationships.
    3. The initiative demonstrates an improvement in the end product/service.
    Plan (20%)
    1. The objective is clear and relevant.
    2. A budget for each of the following is precisely defined:
      Timeframe
      Expenses
      Resources (hours and people)
      Measures for success
    3. Plan includes a method to collect, summarize, review and report results as the project progresses.
    Execution (20%)
    1. Improvement objectives are clearly communicated.
    2. Improvement project steps are identified, prioritized and assigned.
    3. Project's performance is monitored, measured, guided and supported by management.
    Results (40%)
    1. The plan's objective was achieved.
    2. Execution of the plan was within the budgeted resources (as defined under No. 5).
    3. Improvement had a positive and measurable effect on the organization's financial position.
    4. Improvement benefited Indiana in some way (i.e., improved services to the community, better products in the marketplace, new jobs or opportunities, increased exports, new facilities, new technology and/or better education programs for employees).
    5. Improvement is sustained and continuous.
    6. Improvement will provide long-term benefits to the organization and/or the state.

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