SATEA: The Standard for Organizational Excellence
For eight decades, the American Society for Quality (ASQ) has served as a global authority on advancing excellence. The South Asia Team Excellence Award (SATEA) reflects this legacy by providing a rigorous, criteria-based evaluation of how organizations solve complex problems and deliver tangible value.
SATEA demands more than just a successful project narrative; it requires a demonstrable culture of execution. To advance through the two-stage jury evaluation—a virtual methodology defense followed by a live impact presentation—teams must provide irrefutable evidence across four core dimensions:
- Section 1 Context & Planning Deliberate project prioritization strictly aligned with strategic business objectives.
- Section 2 Team Dynamics Proven cross-functional collaboration and proactive stakeholder management throughout the project lifecycle.
- Section 3 Execution A systematic progression from data-driven root-cause analysis to validated, financially justified solutions.
- Section 4 Results Quantifiable operational and financial improvements, secured by permanent control mechanisms.
TIP: With the "Intent to Participate" deadline approaching on September 30, organizations should critically evaluate their candidate projects to ensure they meet this benchmark.
What's New in 2026
This year, the Criteria language has been simplified for greater clarity and ease of use. Requirements are now presented as guided questions, supported by practical tips to improve accessibility and navigation.
Category Awards continue to recognize domain-specific excellence across ten focused areas, highlighting specialized contributions and achievement within key disciplines.
- 01 Operational Excellence
- 02 Innovation Excellence
- 03 People Management
- 04 Sustainability
- 05 Customer Experience
- 06 Supply Chain Resilience
- 07 Digital & Data Analytics
- 08 Strategic Execution
- 09 Process Management
- 10 CSR & Ethics
This approach ensures precise recognition of specialized contributions while reflecting their broader organizational impact.
At ASQ South Asia, advancing quality excellence remains central to our mission. SATEA serves as a structured forum for evaluating initiatives and recognizing meaningful contributions to quality advancement.
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Principle 1
Methodological Flexibility
The framework accommodates diverse problem-solving methodologies, such as DMAIC, Agile, Lean, or Design Thinking. The evaluation focuses on the effective and systematic application of the chosen tools at each phase rather than prescribing a single methodology.
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Principle 2
Evidence-Based Assessment
During the preliminary evaluation, projects are assessed using a structured criteria-based rating scale. The highest recognition is awarded to teams that provide complete, documented evidence demonstrating clear alignment with the project's original purpose and broader business objectives.
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Principle 3
Holistic Value Realization
In the final phase, the framework evaluates the measurable organizational impact of the initiative. Teams are assessed on key quantitative factors, such as financial performance and operational efficiency, alongside qualitative dimensions like customer satisfaction and innovation potential.
First Round: Preliminary Round Online Live Presentation
Teams submit project presentation aligned with the Team Excellence Criteria showcasing creative, innovative solutions and significant cost savings resulting in enhanced customer satisfaction, product innovation, and team performance. Projects must either be active (still seeing results at the time of submission) or have been completed within the last 2 years and include measurable results. Teams will be invited for virtual live presentation and will be judged by a panel of judges.
Second Round: Final Round Onsite Live Presentation
At the daylong event qualified teams from the preliminary round will make live presentations to the judges for final award qualification. Finalists will showcase their project success stories, offering opportunities to the teams to learn, share, and benchmark from within the industry and across industry. Three-member team per project entry are entitled to attend the Live Presentation.
Scoring and Evaluation
The scoring and evaluation are consensus-based. After the final round, the jury panel will also provide detailed feedback to every participating team.
Submission & Participation Journey
A nine-step pathway from team entry to recognition at the live event in New Delhi.
Complete the Team Entry Form
Register your team by completing the official entry form with all required organisational, project, and member details. Accurate information ensures eligibility verification proceeds without delay.
Identify Eligible Project(s)
Shortlist project(s) delivered within the last two years that have produced measurable outcomes. Projects must either be currently active and still generating results at the time of submission, or have been completed within the last 24 months with verifiable impact.
Develop the Project Presentation
Build a structured PowerPoint presentation that clearly articulates the project objective, methodology, team contribution, and measurable business impact. Use data, visuals, and concise narrative.
Align with the Award Criteria
Cross-check every slide against the official Team Excellence Award evaluation framework. A well-aligned submission strengthens scoring across innovation, impact, teamwork, and sustainability parameters.
Submit Presentation & Process Payment
Upload the final presentation along with completed team details and process the entry fee on or before 15 October 2026. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered for evaluation.
Virtual Live Presentation
Shortlisted teams will be invited to deliver a virtual live presentation before an expert panel. Judges will evaluate clarity of approach, depth of impact, and the team's ability to defend results under questioning.
Final Round Shortlist Announcement
Teams qualifying from the preliminary round will be formally notified of their selection for the final round by 20 November 2026. Communication will be issued to the registered team lead via email.
Confirm Participation for the Live Event
Selected teams must confirm their participation for the live presentation round in New Delhi within the stipulated response window to secure their slot at the finale.
Live Finale & Award Night, New Delhi
Finalists will present live to the jury, exchange best practices with peers, and be recognised at the Team Excellence Award Night on 27 November 2026 in New Delhi — a flagship gathering of high-performing teams and industry leaders.
PLATINIUM AWARD
This award honors the highest-scoring team for their outstanding performance and collaborative problem-solving, setting a benchmark for excellence in team results.
JURY CHOICE AWARD
This honor recognizes an exceptional project, carefully selected by the jury for its outstanding impact, innovation, and strategic execution, showcasing a benchmark for excellence.
The Category Awards are here to celebrate outstanding team projects across all departments—Operations, HR, Supply Chain, IT, and more. Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards will be presented in each category to honor teams demonstrating commitment to quality, innovation, and impact.
Innovation Excellence
Projects showcasing original ideas or novel improvements in products or services that create significant value, differentiation, or competitive advantage in the market
Customer Experience
Initiatives that enhance customer satisfaction through improved experiences, insights from feedback, or programs that place customer needs at the heart of decision-making.
Sustainability
Projects addressing environmental, social, and governance goals, or promoting diversity and inclusion, with long-term value creation and responsible business practices.
Supply Chain Resilience
Projects to optimize sourcing, procurement, logistics, or supplier collaboration, leading to improved efficiency, cost savings, and stronger supply chain resilience.
Digital & Data Analytics
Projects leveraging data analytics, machine learning, or AI to solve problems, gain insights, automate processes, or drive strategic decisions and innovation
People Management
Initiatives that boost employee engagement, build collaborative cultures, or foster cross-functional teamwork for improved productivity and organizational alignment
Operational Excellence
Projects aimed at enhancing operational efficiency through continuous improvement or digital transformation, driving measurable improvements.
Strategic Execution
Projects focused on effective implementation of organizational strategy through robust policy deployment such Total Quality Management (TQM) practices, and alignment of goals across teams.
Process Management
Initiatives that enhance process efficiency, consistency, and performance through structured KPI frameworks, process design, standardization, and continuous process improvement methodologies.
CSR & Ethics
Projects driven by leadership commitment, focusing on ethical governance, strategic vision, or impactful corporate social responsibility efforts that align with organizational values.
Timeline 2026
HALL OF FAME
PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS
Join industry leaders for this transformative event
American Society for Quality India Pvt. Ltd
A-24/9, Ground Floor,
Mohan Cooperative Industrial Estate,
Mathura Road, New Delhi-110044
- +91 11 46783399 / 40793571/2
- +91 11 40793573
- asqindia@asq.org
Mobile : 9818419394
Choose the option that fits your participation
- Group discount — 10% for 2 or more entries
- Maximum five entries per company per site
- Three members per team entry will be entitled to attend the final live presentation & Awards Night. Any additional member will be chargeable.
- Access to final live presentation
- Awards Night attendance
- Networking with industry peers
ASQ South Asia Team Excellence Award (SATEA)
Frequently Asked Questions
Interested teams can submit their entry form either:
- Online at ASQ India website
- Through email to asqindia@asq.org
- Complete and submit entry form
- Identify projects completed in the last two years that achieved measurable results
- Create a PowerPoint presentation describing your completed project(s)
- Align presentation with the Team Excellence Award Criteria
- Submit presentation and payment by 15th October, 2026
- Virtual live presentation - teams will be invited and judged by expert panel
- Final round notification sent to qualified teams by 20th November, 2026
- Award Night - live presentations, judging and recognition at New Delhi on 27th November, 2026
- Team Entry Form
- PowerPoint presentation aligned with SATEA Criteria
- Company Logo
- Payment confirmation
- INR 30,000 per team entry (domestic teams)
- USD 400 for international teams
- Discount available for non-profit organizations
- Group discounts available
- Fees are non-refundable
- Projects must be completed within the last 2 years OR currently active with measurable results
- Projects should be beneficial for the organization and customers
- Must be well-aligned with SATEA criteria
- Any methodology (Six Sigma, Lean, etc.) can be used
- Innovation projects are welcome
- No specific project size limitations
Preliminary Round:
- Live virtual presentation
- 25 minutes presentation + Q&A session
- All participating teams are invited
- Judged on 0-3 rating scale
Final Round:
- In-person presentation in New Delhi
- 15 minutes presentation
- 24 teams selected for finals
- Judged on 5-point scale across quantitative and qualitative factors
| Score | Scale Definition |
|---|---|
| 0 | Criteria are not addressed |
| 1 | Criteria addressed through verbal explanation, but documentation not available |
| 2 | Criteria addressed with partial evidence and linkage |
| 3 | Criteria addressed with complete evidence and linkage |
| Factor Type | Evaluation Criteria |
|---|---|
| Quantitative | Financial Performance, Operational Efficiency, Customer Satisfaction |
| Qualitative | Market Transformation Capability, Innovation Potential, Social and Economic Impact |
Preliminary and Final round presentations carry 70-30 weightage respectively.
- Trophy and certificates
- Recognition by a global brand at national/regional level
- Gold, Silver & Bronze winners in each category
- One overall Platinum Award winner
- All finalists receive certificates
- Winner's ceremony
- Media coverage and press releases
- Feature on ASQ India website & social media
- Team recognition by management and industry peers
- Recognition as the only criteria-based team award
- Enhanced organizational reputation
- Opportunities for knowledge sharing and networking
- Career advancement for team members
- Strengthened quality culture within the organization
- 2025 - Tata Consultancy Service - Enterprise CBO Unit
- 2024 - Max Life Insurance
- 2023 - Tata Power Company Ltd
- 2019 - eClerx Services
- 2018 - Tata Steel
- 2017 - Ashok Leyland
- 2016 - eClerx Services
For complete details, visit the Hall of Fame.
- Not aligning with the SATEA Criteria
- Not covering all Sections & Items of the Criteria
- Not providing enough evidence for project claims in the presentation
Primary Contact Methods:
- Email: satea@asq.org
- General Inquiries: asqindia@asq.org
- Website: ASQ India Contact
- Registration: SATEA Registration
South Asia Team Excellence Awards
Recognizing and celebrating outstanding team achievements across South Asia