Performance management refers to an organization's ability to implement a system to evaluate and improve employee performance. Achieving peak performance requires consistency, clear goals and constructive evaluation of employees. According to Mithas, Ramasubbu, and Sambamurthy (2011), an organization must design the performance management system based on in-depth research on the organization's mission, and then adequately communicate the purpose of the system to employees, stakeholders, and decision makers . After performing the research, the information should be used to determine the appropriate and specialized performance management for the organization. Furthermore, an effective performance management system should align performance measures with current strategic objectives and future objectives. Organizations that establish effective performance management systems can receive recognition. Additionally, some organizations invest valuable time and financial resources to create the appropriate system to increase organizational performance. One of the methods currently used to evaluate outstanding organizational performance is the Malcolm Baldridge Awards (Fisher, 2010, p. 2). The Baldridge Awards allow organizations to highlight their achievements in performance outcomes and organizational excellence. The Baldridge criteria measure an organization's progress in customer satisfaction, financial progress, human resources, and organizational effectiveness (Mithas, Ramasubbu, & Sambamurthy, 2011, p. 242). The use of the Baldridge criteria establishes new trends in organizational performance and provides a prestigious reward system to promote exceptional performance management. An article in the Journal of Public Ad...... half of the paper ......n Performance, 22(3), 191-203. doi:10.1080/08959280902970377United States Department of the Treasury. (2009, June 10). press/press releases/tg163.htm. Retrieved June 5, 2011, from U.S. Treasury: www.tisreas.govWalker, R. M., Damanpour, F., & Devece, C. A. (2011). Management innovation and organizational performance: the mediating effect of performance management. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 21(2), 367-386. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Yeung, A. L., Lai, K., & Yee, R. Y. (2007). Organizational learning, innovativeness and organizational performance: A qualitative investigation. International Journal of Manufacturing Research, 45(11), 2459-2477. doi:10.1080/00207540601020460Yoon Jik, C., & Ringquist, E. J. (2011). Managerial reliability and organizational results. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 21(1), 53-86. doi:10.1093/jopart/muq015