The Optimus Business Excellence assessment is score-based and aligned with the EFQM Excellence Model.
The assessment will be carried out by an independent assessor and the assessment will be governed by the assessment criteria prescribed by the EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management). The structure, content and design of the submission document are also governed by the EFQM guidelines and requirements. It should describe how the organisation addresses each of the 9 criteria and the 32 sub-criteria. It should also present customer and people results based on the satisfaction surveys undertaken. Operations results and Key Performance results should also be presented and these should be linked to targets and benchmarks where possible. Ideally, all results should span a three year period but a minimum of two years should suffice provided the trends are positive, targets are achieved, the comparisons are favourable, the results are caused by the approach and address most of the relevant areas and activities. The document should contain approximately 45 x A4 pages of text and graphs.
Evidence that the RADAR approach to action planning has been adopted and applied to all action plans will also be sought.
The results of all assessments will be brought before the Optimus Approval Board for validation. Companies must score a minimum of 300 out of a potential 1,000 points in order to qualify for the Optimus Business Excellence Award. This score must be equally spread between inputs and outcomes and each criterion must achieve a minimum score.
The achievement of 300 points will also qualify the applicant company for the prestigious EFQM Recognised for Excellence Level 3 without the need for an additional assessment or associated costs. Recognised for Excellence is designed for organisations that are well managed and on the way to organisational Excellence. It offers applicants the benefits of a structured approach to identify organisational strengths and areas for improvement. Organisations confirmed as Recognised for Excellence will be able to use the recognition insignias in their commercial and promotional efforts.
The company registers for Optimus and applies the standards and criteria.
The company prepares a submission document and sends it to the independent assessment organisation.
The assessment organisation then allocates an assessor to the establishment applying for assessment.
A desk review of the submission document is carried out.
The assessor contacts the establishment and arranges a date for the assessment.
An on-site assessment is carried out.
A management report listing Strengths, Areas for Improvement and Required Actions is compiled by the assessor.
This report is sent to the Optimus Approvals Board for review and decision.
The establishment receives formal notification of the result from the Optimus Approvals Board, together with the management report.
The fee for the Business Excellence Assessment is €3,000 + VAT. This fee, which must will be paid in advance and submitted with the application for assessment, includes:
Pre-assessment review of submission document assessment (one day).
On-site visit (one/two days).
Assessors report and management action plan (one day).
Please note: The Business Excellence Assessment requires the Assessor to evaluate associated documentation. This may require an overnight stay in the case of accommodation providers. All associated accommodation and meals costs will be borne by the organisation undergoing the assessment.
Organisations being granted the Optimus Award of Excellence will receive:
The Optimus Business Excellence Award certificate and specially commissioned engraved trophy for public display, together with the EFQM Recognised for Excellence Level 3 certificate. These certificates will be valid for a 12 month period after which the organisation must submit to a re-assessment or progress to Recognised for Excellence Level 4/5.
Permission to use the Optimus Business Excellence Award and EFQM Recognised for Excellence Level 3 logos on marketing and promotional material subject to award recipients giving Fáilte Ireland a written undertaking that the regulations for the use of the Optimus and EFQM logos will be strictly adhered to.
Optimus certificates for the Co-ordinator and Steering Group members.
The power of issuing and cancelling an award is vested in Fáilte Ireland.
