Management theories are subject to fashion, but some principles have been shown to be more durable than others.
 
EFQM has consistently applied its core values – enumerated in the following concepts – to the evaluation of excellent organisations for over 20 years.  Extensive academic studies (2000, 2005) have shown that organisations which embrace such principles outperform their counterparts on almost any financial or market based criteria.

Fundamental to all our interactions, EFQM and its members take as granted this shared set of beliefs about what it means to be an excellent organisation.   

The Fundamental Concepts are:

Achieving Balanced Results
Excellent organisations meet their Mission and progress towards their Vision through planning and achieving a balanced set of results that meet both the short and long term needs of their stakeholders and, where relevant, exceed them.

Adding Value for Customers
Excellent organisations know that customers are their primary reason for being and strive to innovate and create value for them by understanding and anticipating their needs and expectations.

Leading with Vision, Inspiration & Integrity
Excellent organisations have leaders who shape the future and make it happen, acting as role models for its values and ethics.

Managing by Processes
Excellent organisations are managed through structured and strategically aligned processes using fact-based decision making to create balanced and sustained results.

Succeeding through people
Excellent organisations value their people and create a culture of empowerment for the balanced achievement of organisational and personal goals.

Nurturing Creativity & Innovation
Excellent organisations generate increased value and levels of performance through continual and systematic innovation by harnessing the creativity of their stakeholders.

Building Partnerships
Excellent organisations seek, develop and maintain trusting relationships with various partners to ensure mutual success. These partnerships may be formed with customers, society, key suppliers, educational bodies or Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO).

Taking Responsibility for a Sustainable Future
Excellent organisations embed within their culture an ethical mindset, clear values and the highest standards of organisational behaviour, all of which enable them to strive for economic, social and ecological sustainability.