JEFFERSON CITY, MO - Tomorrow beginning at 1:30 p.m., in the Missouri State Capitol Rotunda, the Office of Administration (OA) will honor four state employee work teams with the prestigious 2012 Governor's Award for Quality and Productivity (GAQP). This marks the event's 24th year recognizing the efforts of state employee work groups, whose accomplishments serve as an example of continuous improvement, quality, and productivity in Missouri state government.
"The four teams that are being presented with this year's Governor's Award for Quality and Productivity represent the best in innovative thought, and serve as examples for all of us in maximizing our limited taxpayer resources," Gov. Jay Nixon said. "These teams of remarkable and creative individuals are improving the lives of Missourians every day, and I laud their tremendous accomplishments and contributions to the state of Missouri."
The GAQP Selection Committee consisting of senior-level executives evaluated each nomination prior to recommending each of the winning teams to Gov. Nixon for his approval. All winning nominations were required to meet clearly defined requirements relative to effectiveness, responsiveness, and efficiency that would serve as a model of excellence in state government.
In a continuing effort to improve the intent of this unique program, the nomination process was recently revised to create a new Pinnacle Award that is awarded when, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, one nomination clearly encompasses multiple award categories in a manner that exemplifies the spirit of the Governor's Award, or exceeds all other nominations.
This year, 25 nominations were submitted in four award categories: Customer Service, Efficiency/Process Improvement, Innovation, and Technology in Government.
The following contains information about each GAQP award winner:
EFFICIENCY/PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
Awarded to - State Parks Youth Corps Program - Department of Economic Development and Department of Natural Resources
The award recognizes the team that develops and successfully demonstrates an effective approach in using state resources to implement a new process or deliver a product or service; and how implementation of their project improved the overall quality of products and services, significantly enhanced operational efficiency, simplified work processes, generated increased revenues, or reduced spending.
INNOVATION
Awarded to - Missouri StormAware - Department of Public Safety and Office of Administration
The winning team develops and implements a new process/product/service or a better application to an existing process/product/service to create an "added value" to state government. The winning project also delivers benefits to the citizens of Missouri through advances in vital services such as healthcare, education, communications, transportation, etc.
TECHNOLOGY IN GOVERNMENT
Awarded to - Emergency Action Planning for High-Hazard-Potential Dams in Missouri - Department of Natural Resources and Department of Public Safety
The winning team identifies, develops, and implements cutting-edge technology to improve services, solve problems, reduce cost, increase efficiency, and extend human capabilities. The winning project also improves the customer experience, achieves better policy outcomes, reduces paperwork burdens, and improves efficiency by reducing duplication and routine processing, leveraging delivery capacity and streamlining processes.
PINNACLE AWARD
Awarded to - DM 3700 Project - Department of Mental Health [this category is only available to the GAQP Selection Committee] The GAQP Pinnacle Award is awarded to a team if, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, a nomination clearly encompasses multiple award categories in a manner that exemplifies the spirit of the Governor's Award or exceeds all other nominations.
For additional information regarding the Governor's Award for Quality and Productivity or to view the winning 2012 nominations, visit http://www.training.oa.mo.gov/erp//winnom.html.
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