The EFQM Model

The EFQM Model is a globally recognised management framework that supports organisations in managing change and improving performance.

Trusted by thousands of organisations worldwide for more than 30 years, the EFQM Model not only remains relevant but continues to set the management agenda for any organisation wanting a long term, sustainable future.

The EFQM Model structure is based on the simple but powerful logic of asking three questions:

Why

“Why” does this organisation exist? What purpose does it fulfil? Why this particular Strategy…

Direction

How

“How” does it intend to deliver on its Purpose and its Strategy…

Execution

What

“What” has it actually achieved to date? “What” does it intend to achieve tomorrow…

Results

Why should I use the EFQM Model?

Since its inception, the EFQM Model has provided a blueprint for organisations across and beyond Europe to develop a culture of improvement and innovation.

If you want to define a strong purpose, inspire leaders at every level and create a culture committed to driving performance, while remaining agile, adaptive and able to evolve for the future, then the EFQM Model is for you.

Use Cases

We know the EFQM Model is used and consumed by organisations for several different aims and purposes. In this section, based on the information we have gathered from experienced practitioners, you will gain an insight into the alternative uses of the EFQM Model that have been, and continue to be implemented.

Benchmarking Performance Benchmarking Performance

Thanks to its simple structure and the fact that 50,000 organisations worldwide use it, the EFQM Model offers users a common language, regardless of size or sector, that acts as a facilitator for sharing good practices and
the potential to learn from peers and best in class organisations. The starting point in such a benchmarking exercise is to use the EFQM Model and RADAR to build an “As is” picture to understand where the organisation stands compared to its marketplace, and beyond, before searching for benchmarking partners.

Building a New Business Building a New Business

In those situations where a new business is being established, be it large or an SME, the fundamentals on which the EFQM Model is based provides the new organisation with a road map for introducing what matters most in building a Key Stakeholder-driven Strategy that Creates Sustainable Value.

Building Organisational Capability for Improvement Building Organisational Capability for Improvement

Baselining current performance can represent the start of the journey for any organisation to establish and then develop a continuous improvement mindset over a period
of time, reinforced by regular checkpoints to monitor progress. The EFQM Model and AssessBase provide any organisation with the capability to develop the desired continuous improvement mindset.

Driving Transformation Programmes Driving Transformation Programmes

There will be many reasons for an organisation wanting to undertake a transformation programme. Still, regardless of the reasons, the EFQM Model and RADAR has a role to
play in designing, implementing and managing the effectiveness of that programme. The EFQM Model and RADAR help break down the transformation programme into several defined approaches and expected results that move the organisation from the “As Is” to the desired “To
Be” state, managing the transformation as a red thread across the Criteria of the EFQM Model.

Managing Corporate Actions Managing Corporate Actions

Applying the EFQM Model, RADAR, and AssessBase together, gives any organisation resources capable of supporting the management of key corporate events such as mergers or demergers, or the sale and purchase of businesses. For example, in one mode of use, these tools can provide a baseline assessment of the target business to establish its fit, or otherwise, with an existing corporate structure, assistance with due diligence on acquisitions and gap analysis for integration or disposal plans. In the second mode of use, these tools can help the organisation envision the future, expressed in the context of the Model Criteria, as a consequence of such corporate actions.

Managing Risks – Building Resilience Managing Risks – Building Resilience

Using the EFQM Model enables organisations to build their resilience when managing those emerging risks that have been identified with the potential to cause a significant, negative impact on the business. Having identified which of those significant risks require priority attention, RADAR can be used to develop and monitor the mitigation plans and subsequent actions, helping
to protect the business by ensuring the risk has been reduced or controlled, and resilience is further embedded.

Qualifying the Capability and “Fit” of your Suppliers Qualifying the Capability and “Fit” of your Suppliers

Organisations are using the EFQM Model and RADAR to complement their existing procurement and funding processes, using them to baseline, accredit and track the improvement of suppliers’ and funding recipients’ capabilities and performances.

Understanding Organisational Maturity Understanding Organisational Maturity

Using the EFQM Model and RADAR, organisations review their current performance, capabilities, effectiveness of their Strategy execution and sustainable value creation.
Using the EFQM Model in this mode allows any organisation to take a snapshot of, and understand, its current organisational maturity.

Undergoing External Assessment and Achieving Recognition Undergoing External Assessment and Achieving Recognition

Organisations use the EFQM Model to prepare for and then undergo an external assessment linked to EFQM’s Recognition portfolio. Using the EFQM Model, qualified EFQM Assessors review the current business of an EFQM
Recognition applicant, identify their main strengths and gaps, and provide it with other relevant insights. Organisations are scored out of 1000 points according to their externally reviewed level of organisational maturity and receive a Recognition certificate that matches
the maturity level achieved.

Sensing and Responding to the Impact of Market Disruption Sensing and Responding to the Impact of Market Disruption

Although disruption in the market has been an ever-present fact of life for organisations to deal with in the past, today, the speed and diversity of the disruption is an ever-increasing reality. Being able to sense and respond to the potential impact of major disruptions in the market by putting in place prioritised, mitigating actions is a core
competence that organisations need to possess if they are to continue to be successful. The use of the EFQM Model and RADAR, regardless of the size or maturity of organisations, has been shown to have a major role in helping them to better sense and respond to these market
disruptions.

Russell Longmuir - CEO
Russell Longmuir - CEO

“The EFQM Model is our foundation”

A globally-recognised practical framework for organisational change and performance improvement

brochure

Download your FREE full version of the EFQM Model Brochure

You can now download the FULL version of the EFQM Model Brochure, which covers all the main concepts and use cases.