Final answer:
Quality improvement programs like Six Sigma, TQM, and LEAN can indeed be considered part of the strategy for long-term business success as they aid in efficiency, cost reduction, and customer satisfaction. They require strategic commitment and evaluation congruent with a program's complexity and cost, reinforcing their role as strategic rather than merely tactical tools.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering whether quality improvement programs like Six Sigma, Total Quality Management (TQM), and LEAN should be considered a part of strategy, it is essential to understand that these programs are critical tools for long-term business success. They are not merely tactics for momentary improvements but strategies for ongoing performance enhancement and competitive advantage.
Such programs often figure into strategic planning because they help organizations improve efficiency, reduce costs, eliminate waste, and increase customer satisfaction. They inform strategic decisions that shape how a company operates and competes in the market. For instance, embracing LEAN principles might involve strategic changes in process management and resource allocation to minimize waste and increase value to the customer.
Moreover, these quality programs require commitment from top management and a long-term perspective, key elements of strategic thinking. As a result, they align with the notion that evaluation efforts for any program should match the program's complexity, duration, and costs. In other words, the more strategically important the change, the more comprehensive the evaluation to ensure alignment with overall business goals.