The purpose of the South Carolina Governor's Explorer Assessment is to: Promote the use of quality management systems, Share successful quality management strategies, Promote self-assessment via an objective review, and Publicly recognize outstanding achievement in the development and implementation of quality management systems.

Our assessment process is designed to be consistent with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award process, and the Forum acknowledges and is grateful for the guidance, support, and overall cooperation received from the Baldrige Award Program Administrators.

The application criteria for the South Carolina Governor's Explorer Assessment, which is also based on the prior year's Baldrige criteria, is designed not only to serve as a reliable basis for making awards, but also to permit a diagnosis of the applicant's overall management system. All applicants will receive feedback reports on their management system that is prepared by teams of quality professionals. All applicants are recognized for their progress toward implementing the Baldrige criteria in business with a recognition plaque at the annual conference.