The Producer Excellence in Quality Award criteria is based on the following categories: Management Commitment and Decision Process, Customer Focus, Human Resources, Production Facility and Equipment, Material Management and Testing, Specification and Mixture Review, and Measurement Analysis and Improvement. By meeting and exceeding this criteria, the concrete industry is able to set qualification levels of ready mixed concrete producers to break down a significant industry barrier of changing specifications from prescription-based to performance-based specifications has been the qualification level of a concrete producer.

A shift to performance-based specifications is the next logical step in the evolution of the ready mixed concrete industry. Performance-based specifications provide details of required results including strength and other mechanical properties along with requirements for durability and serviceability. The results are verifiable through standardized measurement or testing to ensure the product meets the desired requirements. Finally, performance-based specifications are free of process limitations such as mixture proportions and construction methods. Performance-based specifications encourage innovative products and construction methods along with rigorous quality management systems that lead to superior products and satisfied customers.