The EFQM Model is used by over 30,000 organisations across the world. Regardless of sector, size, structure or maturity, organisations need to establish appropriate systems in order to be successful. The EFQM Model is a tool to help organisations do this by measuring where they are on the path towards excellence, helping them understand the gaps, and stimulating areas for improvement (AFI).

The EFQM Model acts as a common reference. It provides its users with a set of performance improvement tools in order for them to achieve and sustain success. The model is regularly reviewed to incorporate new ideas, concepts and learning. The last revision was published in October 2019.  

How does it work?

The EFQM model can be used by organisations to self-assess how well they are doing and identify where they may need to improve. You can use it to self-assess a whole organisation or parts of an organisation. The EFQM model can also be used for external assessments. The EFQM model looks at three broad areas: DIRECTION, EXECUTION & RESULTS.

Direction

For an organisation to achieve and sustain outstanding results that meet or exceed the expectations of its stakeholders it:

• Defines an inspiring purpose
•Creates a vision that is aspirational
• Develops a strategy that is centred on creating sustainable value
• Builds a winning culture.

This direction setting prepares the way forward for the organisation to be seen as a leader in its ecosystem and well positioned to execute its plans for the future.

Execution 

For an organisation to achieve and sustain outstanding results that meet or exceed the expectations of its stakeholders it is necessary, but not sufficient, for it to:

• Define an inspiring purpose
• Create a vision that is aspirational
• Develop a strategy that is centred on creating sustainable value
• Build a winning culture.

The direction setting as outlined above, prepares the way forward for the organisation, but it then needs to execute its strategy effectively and efficiently, ensuring that it:

• Knows who the stakeholders are in its ecosystem and engages fully with those that are key to its success
• Creates sustainable value
• Drives the levels of performance necessary for success today and, at the same time, drives the necessary improvement and transformation if it is to be successful in the future.

Results

What the organisation has achieved in relation to what has been described in the Direction & Execution sections, including the forecast for the future. In practice we find that an outstanding organisation provides results data for:

• Stakeholder perceptions
• Creating sustainable value
• Driving performance & transformation.