The W. Edwards Deming Outstanding Training Award is presented annually by the Graduate School, USDA to a federal government unit or department that has successfully completed an innovative and impressive employee development and training initiative that has achieved measurable results. Individuals are not eligible for this award.

Request a 2006 Deming Nomination Packet (mailed in April 2006)

The Graduate School, USDA has named the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division: Naval Systems Command the 2005 winner of the W. Edwards Deming Award. Faced with the prospect of substantial attrition of senior managers due to retirement, in 2001 the Center developed a Management Succession Program. An established training institution delivered two sessions, which honed management skills through improved competencies and action learning. Participants were mostly first-level supervisors, and the courses focused on problem solving, conflict management, leadership and communication skills and the ability to build coalitions and affect organizational change. The first class has achieved concrete results. In just three years these trainees hold more than 20 percent of department head or equivalent positions. The Center anticipates further organizational gain.

Runners-up for the Deming Award are three offices in the Social Security Administration - the Office of Systems Electronic Disability (eDib) Training for the IT Professional, the Office of Training in the Office of Human Resources and the Allegation Management Division in the Office of the Inspector General - and the Fundamentals Training Staff at the National Park Service.

The Graduate School presents the W. Edwards Deming Award to a federal government organization or civilian branch of the military that has completed an innovative employee training initiative with measurable results.