Processes of application, assessment and award
The way towards the "Cluster Management Excellence Label GOLD" consists of six steps:
| Step 1 |
Check whether you meet the minimum requirements |
|---|---|
| Step 2 | Self check of the quality indicators Please contact ESCA for a formal offer if you are interested in a cluster management excellence assessment. In a first step you will get access to an self check tool that analyses in detail each quality indicator (for a full overview of the quality indicators please see this document) in terms of whether you have a fair chance to pass the excellence threshold. The self check is based on a self assessment by the cluster manager. |
| Step 3 | Decision is taken whether you should go for the full assessment Based on the results of the self check it will be decided whether a full assessment will be conducted. Certain minimum requirements need to be fulfilled and at least 80% of the maximum points of the label scheme have to be achieved. The results will be discussed with the cluster manager and ESCA recommends whether a full assessment can be done. Please note that the information provided by the cluster management in the context of the self check needs to be substantiated by corresponding documentation. |
| Step 4 | Full assessment: two-day on-site assessment conducted by two independent cluster analysis experts Subject to the decision to conduct a full assessment ESCA will propose two independent cluster analysis experts who will visit the cluster management organisation. In the course of the on-site assessment the experts will check each indicator and ask for supporting documentation. At the end of the assessment the experts will give an initial feedback on the results. If necessary and agreed upon with the experts, the cluster management organisation may provide further documentation within six weeks after the date of the assessment. |
| Step 5 | Report on the assessment The cluster management organisation will receive a report on the results of the assessment. The report will be send to the "Cluster Excellence Expert Group" for a final decision. |
| Step 6 | Award "Cluster Management Excellence Label GOLD" Depending on a positive decision of the "Cluster Excellence Expert Group" the cluster organisation will be awarded with the "Cluster Management Excellence Label GOLD". |
Please contact ESCA for more information on the process.