EFQM Excellence Model

The EFQM Excellence Model is a non-prescriptive business excellence framework for organizational management systems, promoted by EFQM (formerly known as the European Foundation for Quality Management) and designed for helping organizations in their drive towards being more competitive. The Model is regularly reviewed and refined: the last update was published in 2013.

Regardless of sector, size, structure or maturity, organizations need to establish appropriate management systems in order to be successful. The EFQM Excellence Model is a practical tool to help organizations do this by measuring where they are on the path to excellence; helping them understand the gaps; and then stimulating solutions.

History

Over the years a number of research studies have investigated the correlation between the adoption of holistic Models, such as OIQ, Organizational Integrated Quality and EFQM Excellence Model, and improved organizational results. The majority of such studies show a positive linkage. One of the most comprehensive of these was carried out by Dr. Vinod Singhal of the Georgia Institute of Technology and Dr. Kevin Hendricks of the College of William and Mary.

Purpose

The EFQM Model provides a framework allowing organisations to determine their current “level of excellence” and where they need to focus improvement efforts. Moreover, the Model helps to ensure that business decisions incorporate the needs of all stakeholders and are aligned with the organisation’s objectives.

The EFQM Model acts as a common reference tool helping organisations move towards excellence. Thus, the Model provides its users with a set of performance improvement tools in order for them to achieve and sustain results and Excellence. The Model is regularly reviewed to incorporate new ideas, concepts and learning. The last revision was published in 2013.

Predominance

The EFQM Excellence Model is a widely used organisational framework in Europe, with about 30 000 organisations using it. In recent years, more and more countries started implementing the Model, especially across Middle East and South America.

"All European organisations, both in the public and private sectors, are facing new challenges. The increasing pressure to compete on a global stage with limited resources means we all have to work together to secure our future prosperity, and that of generations to come", explained Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council. "The EFQM Excellence Model provides a framework that encourages cooperation, collaboration and innovation that we will need to ensure this goal is achieved".

Practice

The Model can be used to understand the relations of cause and effects between what organisations do and the results they get. There are 3 components of the Model:

• Fundamental concepts, representing eight core values or key management principles that drive sustainable success
• Nine criteria, separated into categories of Enablers and Results
• RADAR logic, continuous improvement cycle used by EFQM. It was originally derived from the PDCA cycle.

EFQM Excellence Award

The EFQM Excellence Award is run annually by EFQM. It is designed to recognize organizations that have achieved an outstanding level of sustainable excellence, based on assessment against the EFQM Excellence Model.

See also

• EFQM Organization
• MBNQA, the American alternative to EFQM

External links

• EFQM
• EFQM Excellence Model
• THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EUROPEAN FOUNDATION FOR QUALITY MANAGEMENT'S(EFQM) EXCELLENCE MODEL IN ACADEMIC UNITS OF UNITED KINGDOM UNIVERSITIES
• EFQM model: knowledge governance and competitive advantage
• Possible ethical implications in the deployment of the EFQM Excellence Modeles:Fundación Europea para la Gestión de la Calidad