ABSTRACT
Given the wide range of external quality standard and awards available in the marketplace, the choices made around which one(s) to work with is challenging. Senior managers need clear evidence of value and current data on which particular standards and awards are relevant to their organizations and sector. In some cases, having accreditation against ISO standards for example will be necessary, in other cases working with a particular standard or award may be perceived to be useful, but not always critical. The sample chosen for discussion in this chapter is only a small part of what is available in the marketplace. Having already looked in earlier chapters at EFQM, some of the ISO standards, and IiP, those which are considered here include the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the Customer Service Excellence Award, the Healthy Working Lives Award, the matrix Award, Investors in Diversity and Investors in Excellence. We also consider the quality assurance process for these standards by looking at the role of some of the accreditation bodies, including the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
