Business Operations

Section 1
1. Operational Efficiency
In essence, operational efficiency has got to do with a business entity’s ability to avail goods or services to the target market in a manner that is cost-effective, while at the same time taking the relevant measures to ensure that the quality of the said goods and services is not compromised.
2. Operational effectiveness
Operational effectiveness, on the other hand, refers to the various approaches a business entity adopts in an attempt to enhance the uniqueness of its activities and set them apart from those performed by competitors. In this case, the goal of a business entity would be to ensure that it is more effective than its competitors in the marketplace, more so in the performance and execution of activities similar to those the said competitors engage in.
3. Operations Strategy
These are terms used to describe maneuvers and approaches a business entity intends to make use of so as to attain set objectives. In that regard, therefore, an operations strategy would include a plan of exactly how the enterprise intends to put both its human and monetary resources to use in the pursuit of its business objectives. According to Lowson (2003), operations strategy includes the management processes and competencies.
4. Operational Sustainability
Sustainability has got to do with the sustenance or maintenance of an undertaking. In that regard, therefore, operational sustainability involves the assessment as well as appraisal of an entity’s ability to remain relevant going into the future.
Section 2
‘Quality’ as Used in a CIO Organization
In a CIO organization, quality has got to do with the optimization of the ability of a good or service to satisfy an individual’s or group’s needs. It is important to note that towards this end, the ability of a good or service to meet the need of an individual depends on the recipient’s perception of quality. In that regard, therefore, goods or services that fail to meet the expectations of those for whom they are meant fail the quality test.
However, it should be noted that quality is not only dependent on the recipient’s expectation of quality. Quality could also be evaluated or measured on the basis of broader perceptions as well as acceptance of the same. To give an example, the quality of a pair of shoes would be dependent upon i) the recipients perception of quality (i.e. i.e. on the basis of their perception of quality shoes) and ii) the society’s generally accepted standard of quality (i.e. comparison to shoes of similar make).
Part 3
‘Six Sigma’ Definition
In essence, six sigma could be defined as “a comprehensive and flexible system for achieving, sustaining, and maximizing business success… that is uniquely driven by close understanding of customer needs, disciplined use of data, and statistical analysis, and diligent attention to managing, improving, and reinventing business processes” (Knowles, 2011, p. 13). In a CIO organization, Six Sigma could come in handy in waste reduction and better time management. The fact that Six Sigma is largely client driven means that the relevance of quality cannot be overstated in the delivery of service and supply of goods and related items.

References
Knowles, G. (2011). Six Sigma. New York, NY: Ventus Publishing.
Lowson, R.H. (2003). Strategic Operations Management: The New Competitive Advantage. New York, NY: Routledge.