Application Development
While AIM offers many services and training, our core activity is assistance in application development with organizations. We have read or evaluated over 60 applications and we have a passion for the importance of and a talent for effectively capturing the organization's systems on paper. This activity is at the very core of every other activity engaged in. Our process for developing applications for state, national, and internal organizational quality award programs is comprehensive, focused, and proven successful time and time again. The approach is appropriate for any size or type of organization. We include all stages of the award program from developing and submitting the application, preparing for site visit, using the feedback, and even what to do when an organization is announced as a recipient. Our approach for application development is based upon knowing and understanding the Baldrige Criteria and process, and combining over 18 years of Board of Examiner and Panel of Judges experience in the development process. The results of developing an application with AIM, Inc., are beneficial whether or not you are seeking the actual award.
This application development process is an established, effective approach using facilitators to create a written, examiner-friendly application. You first respond to various easy-to-understand questions reflecting the Baldrige Criteria. AIM translates your responses in language and format that's easy to read for the Examiners. A side benefit of the application development process is the documented areas for improvement that naturally surface when responding to such an in-depth questionnaire about your organization. These “gaps” can then be used to feed your strategic planning efforts and keep the wheels turning on this road to performance excellence. AIM facilitators lead the organization through proven change management techniques to facilitate this cultural transition.
Upon completion of the application writing process and after the application is delivered to the program administrator, AIM will meet with the organization representatives and provide findings based on what their seasoned, examiner-trained eyes revealed during the process. These findings are generally closely aligned to what the formal feedback report says from the award program.
