The term “performance excellence” refers to an integrated approach to organizational performance management that results in (1) delivery of ever-improving value to patients, other customers, and stakeholders, contributing to improved health care quality and organizational sustainability; (2) improvement of overall organizational effectiveness and capabilities as a health care provider; and (3) organizational and personal learning. The Baldrige Health Care Criteria for Performance Excellence provide a framework and an assessment tool for understanding organizational strengths and opportunities for improvement and thus for guiding planning efforts.