The engine for lean is the kaizen event, a two-week team-oriented project that transforms whatever process is under scrutiny. That concept is incorporated into the LeanBaldrige approach for two significant benefits it provides:

LeanBaldrige is a rapid alternative to the traditional assessment options described here. The LeanBaldrige process involves a carefully-selected team of internal subject matter experts in learning the Baldrige model and answering the questions posed by the Criteria. On the last day of the second week, the team evaluates its answers to identify and prioritize major opportunities for improvement and to develop and initiate the actions to address them. I then take the team's findings and write a more detailed assessment and evaluation that can be used for a deeper understanding of the management system and more thorough planning.