On-Boarding

The on-boarding stage for examiners is framed by a coaching process that guides new examiners through the first year of service on the Board of Examiners, from preparation through the award application evaluation process.

On-Boarding Process for New Examiners (Powerpoint slide). There are distinct learning opportunities throughout the first year, starting with selection notification, to New Examiner Orientation, Examiner Preparation Training and on to the examiner team assignment. New examiners are encouraged to reflect and self-assess their performance throughout the first year. The first year culminates with new examiners creating an online development plan in preparation for their next year of service.

LinkedIn Group for New Examiners

New examiners are invited to join the ‘Baldrige for Newbies – Class of 2012’ group on LinkedIn. The goal of this group is to assist you through your onboarding experience. Baldrige program staff and experienced examiners will be monitoring this group to provide answers to questions, post resources, start or weigh in on discussions, and learn from your comments. You also have access to a variety of more formal onboarding resources including e-Learning modules (listed below) and learning resources on the Baldrige web site. Previous year’s examiners found networking on this site to be of great value. Look for your invitation from LinkedIn after you receive your selection letter.

Online Learning

• Baldrige Program Overview (10 minutes)    
• Role of the Examiner (10 minutes)    
• Code of Ethical Conduct (8 min.)    
• Understanding the Criteria (21 min.)    
• Overview of the Award Application Evaluation Process (10 min.)    
• Evaluating Process Items (11 min.)    
• Evaluating Results Items (15 min.)    
• Writing Effective Comments (10 minutes)    
• Are You Ready? (10 minutes)   
  
  

Classroom Learning  

New examiners attend a 1-day orientation course in addition to the 2 ½ day Examiner Preparation course that all examiners attend annually. The courses are held in the NIST offices in Gaithersburg, Maryland in May.

Comment Writing Samples: NuGrain Feedback Report (an excerpt) (PDF)

Development Planning

At the end of their first award evaluation cycle, new examiners celebrate their accomplishments and take time to reflect on their experience and on how to continue their development as a Baldrige examiner. New examiners receive an email invitation to complete an anonymous online survey. The survey provides an opportunity for them to assess individual performance and progress. They are also asked to create a short individual plan identifying two strengths and two areas they see the need to address in order to improve overall performance as an examiner. This is not a required activity, but we encourage new examiners to spend this time immediately following their first year, as this self-reflection and planning may be beneficial for their personal and professional development.

• Examiner Skill Development Resources Matrix (MS-Word)
• Peer Evaluation
• New Examiner Development Planning Survey (PDF)
  

 

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