MILWAUKEE– ASQ, a global network of quality resources and experts, was recently awarded 2011 Mastery Level recognition by Wisconsin Forward Award Inc. (WFA). This is the third recognition at this level for ASQ, which achieved Mastery Level in 2006 and 2008. In 2011, the scope of ASQ’s application was expanded to include its entire operations, including volunteer member leaders worldwide.

“This feedback suggests that ASQ is a very good organization poised to advance to excellence,” says Paul Borawski, ASQ CEO. “We have the benefit of our previous feedback and improvement experience to aid us in our journey toward excellence; and we have the passion of the quality community and its expertise to support us. We have our shared commitment to excellence to fuel our efforts.”

Wisconsin Forward Award recipients will be presented with their awards in a ceremony in Madison, WI, in August 2012. The Mastery Level is an advanced level for organizations that are working to achieve the Governor’s Award of Excellence-the highest level of recognition. Applications scoring at this level use effective and systematic approaches to achieve business and performance excellence.

Applicants for the Wisconsin Forward Award were rigorously evaluated by an independent board of examiners in seven areas: leadership; strategic planning; customer focus; measurement, analysis and knowledge management; workforce focus; operations focus and results. The review is composed of three distinct processes: independent review, consensus review, and site visit.

Examiners review each application relative to the Forward Award criteria and identify strengths of the organization and areas for improvement. Through the skillful practice of performance management principles, organizations that are recognized by the WFA demonstrate significant progress in expanding their capabilities through improved processes of all kinds. Achievements are demonstrated by results; are clearly linked to quality and performance management systems; and are directly attributable to a systematic, well-deployed approach.