ABSTRACT
The so-called excellence models available recognize that customer satisfaction, business objectives, safety and environmental considerations are mutually dependent and are applicable in any organization. The enablers deliver the results which in turn drive learning, creativity and innovation. Assessments using the European Foundation for Quality Management’s Excellence Model usually use a weighting for each criteria which may be used in scoring self-assessments and making awards. Self-assessment promotes lean quality by involving a regular and systematic review of processes and results. Self-assessment can provide an organization in the construction sector with vital information in monitoring its progress towards its goals and business ‘excellence’. The external assessments used in the processes of making awards should be based on these self-assessments that are performed as prerequisites for improvement. The assessment of a quality management system against a particular standard or set of requirements by internal audit and review is known as a first-party assessment or approval scheme.
