Air Force Uses Malcolm Baldrige Criteria as Basis for

In early 1993, the United States Air Force began using a tailored 
version of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Criteria to help 
organizations improve their performance and for selecting the recipient of 
the annual Secretary of the Air Force Unit Quality Award winner.  Most 
inspection offices have also adapted these criteria for use in evaluating 
unit effectiveness and assisting organizations in their internal improvement 
efforts.  The criteria help provide a framework within which people can 
readily discuss new and improved approaches for addressing common 
challenges.  In addition, the data analysis and reporting of results 
provides organizations a basis for making performance comparisons.