1. EFQM Levels of Excellence
This basic introduction to the EFQM Levels of Excellence is a supplement to the information brochures which can also be downloaded from the EFQM web site.
There are separate brochures for:
The European Quality Award
Recognised for Excellence
Committed to Excellence
These can be found at
Introduction to LoE

2. EFQM Levels of Excellence Overview
EQA
Recognised
for
Excellence
The scheme has three basic levels as shown in the pyramid on the slide and 5 opportunities for recognition:
Recognised for Committed to Excellence
Recognised for Recognised for Excellence
Award Finalist
Award Prize Winner
Award Winner
Applicants may use this as a journey and progress through the levels or apply directly at a level appropriate to the organisations maturity.
This presentation focuses on the Recognised for Excellence and Committed to Excellence Levels.
Committed to Excellence

3. The main objectives of the Scheme
Provide clear milestones on the journey to Excellence
Maximise the number of organisations applying the fundamental concepts & principles of the EFQM Excellence Model
Provide practical products and services that help organisations improve
Provide consistent, European-wide recognition delivered by EFQM & its National Partners
The EFQM Levels of Excellence Scheme was created as a response to the different needs of organisations.
Some were asking for simple, practical ways to begin their journey to Excellence. Conversely, mature organisations wanted more sophisticated products and services to enhance their efforts to achieve ever-higher levels of excellence.
The Scheme was designed as an integrated assessment hierarchy tailored to the varying experiences of organisations in their use of the EFQM Model. Organisations may apply to whichever strand they think is most appropriate for their level of maturity.
The main objectives of the scheme are to:
extend recognition to organisations beyond those currently recognised as top achievers;
maximise the number of organisations who are able to apply the principles of the EFQM Excellence Model for organisational improvement;
provide practical products and services that help organisations achieve improved levels of Excellence.
The scheme is delivered by the EFQM and our partners and common materials, processes and principles are used and so recognition has the same value where ever delivered

4. Common features of all Levels
1. Based on feedback
2. Delivered to a common standard
The different levels have some common features.
These include:
All levels provide written feedback as a minimum and face to face feedback as appropriate
They are all delivered to the same standard and many features are built into the scheme to ensure this including a Quality Assurance process
AND

5. Common features of all Levels
3. Based on the Model and its principles
AND
3. All levels are based on the EFQM Excellence Model and RADAR
The EFQM Excellence Model is the most widely used management framework in Europe

6. Committed to Excellence
Committed to Excellence is :
A market entry level product – for organisations early in their Excellence journey or simply wishing to introduced structure to their improvement activity
Low risk, high added-value – limited resource required to complete the application but plenty of benefit to be gained
Designed to build confidence and provide the applicant with a positive experience – all information is provided to organisations to aide the process and make it as painless as possible

7. Characteristics of Organisations applying C2E
Typically:
Have experience of introducing improvement initiatives but likely to be ad-hoc. Now interested in taking an organisational wide perspective
Measure performance using mainly internal measures with little use of external comparisons as the basis for target setting
Have little experience in the use of the EFQM Excellence Model & now looking for a low risk way of testing appropriateness for the organisation
This slides shows some typical characteristics for an organisation entering C2E. As mentioned they will be early in their journey to Excellence or looking for a structured methodology for identifying, prioritising and implementing improvements
The organisation does not need to have an in-depth knowledge of the Excellence Model to apply the process as the documentation is self explanatory.

8. The C2E Process - 1
Stage 1:
Assessment against the 9 criteria of the EFQM Excellence Model and, as a result, identification of at least 3 relevant improvement actions.
Stage 2:
After a period of 6-9 months, site visit by independent Validator to confirm deployment of the improvement actions.
There are 2 basic stages to Committed to Excellence.
Stage 1
First the organisation needs to undertake a self-assessment. As a minimum this assessment needs to be against the nine criteria of the EFQM Excellence Model and give the opportunity to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Applicants can use any methodology for this however applicants to the EFQM are provided with a CD Rom self-assessment workbook which they can use if they do not already have an approach or would like to make use of all tools provided. Applicants using their own methodology are advised to contact the EFQM if they are not sure it is appropriate.
Applicants applying to an NPO should check this at the time of application.
As a result of the assessment at least 3 improvement actions must be detailed in the required format. These are the basis for the Validation.
This stage can be done with the help of a facilitator if required and should be noted at the time of the application. This facilitated support is not, however, included in the application fee and will incur an additional cost.
Stage 2
This is the Validation which will be undertaken by an appointed Validator. The Validator will have undergone rigorous training by either the EFQM or our National Partners. They will be validating that the improvement actions have been implemented and the expected results achieved. This validation is done against a prescribed profile and is detailed in the applicants guide.
Written and verbal feedback is provided on the day of the visit

9. The C2E Process – 2
Submission document – around 12 pages, covering the three improvement areas
Apply at any time
Full documentation for all applicants:
Applicant guide
Pack of 10 advice booklets
CD assessment workbook
Basic application fee 5000 Euro for EFQM Members, 6,500 Euro for non-members*
Members Bbest application fee € 3000
The submission document is about 12 pages and the majority is given to describing the improvement actions and expected/achieved results in a prescribed format.
Applications to the EFQM can be made at anytime. Applicants applying to NPOs should check with the NPO.
On application and receipt of application fee a pack will be sent containing the items noted on the slide. More details about these can be found in the C2E information brochure.
Basic fees for the EFQM are €5,000 for members and €6,500 for non-members. The scheme is open to applicants outside of Europe.
*For large, multi sited, complex organisations 1 Validator day would not be sufficient and options for Validation and costs will be discussed at the time of the application.

10. Outputs and Benefits from C2E
Identification of Organisations strengths and areas for improvement assessed against the most widely used management framework
Structured process for prioritising, documenting and implementing improvement activity
Feedback from external Validator on the implementation of the projects
Where successful, recognition (logo’s, certificates, database entry and newsletter mention)
The outputs and benefits from applying C2E are described on this slide. These go beyond the recognition it self and each can add value to the organisation in different ways.

11. Recognised for Excellence
This level was designed for more mature organisations. It reflects, but is designed to simplify, the European Quality Award process.

12. Characteristics of Organisations applying R4E
Typically:
Most important results will have been improving for at least 3 years & will have external comparative data to put them into context.
Major processes will be controlled, regularly reviewed & be showing demonstrable improvement over time
Will have assessed against the EFQM Excellence Model more than once & will have scored at least 350 points.
This slide describes some typical characteristics for an organisation entering R4E.
A reasonable knowledge of the EFQM Excellence Model and Self- Assessment is assumed for applicants at this level as the process is based on the 32 criterion parts of the Model and RADAR

13. The R4E Process - 1
Pre-structured Submission Document based on 32 criterion parts
3 Cycles during the year for applications
Full supporting documentation for applicants:
Applicants Guide
Blank submission Document
Excellence Model Brochure
The style of the application document mirrors RADAR.
Applicants are allowed 1 page per criterion-part (32 pages), 1 page overview per enabler (5 pages) and a 1 page overview for results (1 page). There is 2 – 3 pages for the overview of the organisation and a glossary can be added.
The EFQM runs three application cycles for R4E and applicants should check the web-site for more details of these.
An application pack is provided for applicants. More details about the content of this pack can be found in the R4E applicants pack.
The basic application fee for members is €5,000 and €6,500 for non members. This scheme is open to applicants outside of Europe
*The EFQM operates a scheme whereby applicants commit to inputting assessors to the process or to paying an additional fee. Details for this can be found in the information brochure or can be discussed with the EFQM.

14. The R4E Process - 2
Assessment by a trained team of between 2-5 Assessors
Assessors will reach consensus as a team on strengths, areas for improvement & score for the organisation and determine issues to be explored during site visit
If the score is confirmed at 400+ points after site visit, the organisation will be recognised
Applicants will receive approximately 15 page feedback report and a scoring profile at the criteria level
Applicants to this process are assessed and site visited by a team of assessors. The number of assessors will depend on the size of the organisation.
To achieve Recognised for Excellence the organisation will need to have achieved 400 points or more after the site visit. The Applicant will be notified by the EFQM whether or not they have been recognised.
The assessor team will compile a feedback report containing strengths, areas for improvement and a score by criterion and this is sent electronically normally one week following the site visit.

15. Outputs and Benefits from R4E
External identification/validation of your Organisations strengths, areas for improvement & score profile by fully trained assessors using a proven management framework
A management development opportunity by the input of assessors to the process
Where successful, recognition (logo’s, certificates, database entry & newsletter mention)
Outputs and benefits from entering this scheme again more than the recognition itself.
Your organisation will have a externally assessed view of your organisations strengths and areas for improvement and a scoring profile that can be used for comparative purposes.
There is also an opportunity to develop your managers through putting them forward as assessors. They will be trained against the EFQM Excellence Model and work with a multi cultural and multi experienced team to assess an organisation.

16. EFQM Levels of Excellence Summary•
Based on the full EFQM model •
75 page submission in English •
Team of International Assessors •
Consensus and Site Visit
EQA •
Enhanced Feedback •
Recognition at around 550+ points •
Based on the full EFQM Model •
51 page structured submission in the
local language
Recognised
for
Excellence •
3 - 5 Assessors •
Consensus and Site Visit •
Feedback Report at criteria level
This slide is a final summary of the Levels of Excellence Scheme.
Information Brochures on all levels can be found on the EFQM web pages And the EFQM or our NPOs will be happy to respond to any additional questions you may have. •
Recognition at 400+ points •
Based on the 9 criteria of the Model •
12 page improvement plan
Committed to Excellence •
Two stage process, assessment and
site visit •
Supported by one Validator •
Recognition based on implementation
of an improvement plan