SC QUALITY FORUM CHAIR - SUZIE RAST

A Note from Suzie Rast, the Chair of the South Carolina Quality Forum

Being a member of the South Carolina Quality Forum is one of the most rewarding experiences I have had the pleasure of participating in. The Forum promotes and recognizes those organizations who focus on continuous improvement and helps promote South Carolina to both her citizens and those who may be considering making her their home, whether an individual or company.

There are two assessment processes administered by the Forum. Both use the prior year’s Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. The first is the Explorer Assessment. This process consists of organizations preparing an original and ten copies of not more than a four page, single spaced, single sided, double column Business Overview and a Baldrige-style Summary which focuses on the first six category levels, excluding the Results category, rather than the more detailed Item level. The maximum page length for the Summary is 25 and follows the same formatting criteria as the Business Overview. A site visit is conducted by the Board of Examiners, typically lasting no longer than two days.

The South Carolina Governors Quality Award level process consists of an original and ten copies of not more than a four page, single spaced, single sided, double column Business Overview and a complete Baldrige-style narrative which addresses all seven categories of the criteria. The length will be the same as the current Baldrige requirements and follows the same formatting criteria as the Business Overview. A site visit typically would involve four examiners for three to four days but, actual site visits will be determined by the size and complexity of the company for those organizations who have attained the level for a site visit.

Please join me in the Forum and help make a difference in South Carolina.