Which supply chain management strategy is designed for maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste?

The lean supply chain management strategy is specifically designed to maximize efficiency and minimize waste. It focuses on creating more value for customers while using fewer resources. The core principles of lean involve identifying value from the perspective of the customer, streamlining processes to eliminate waste, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

In a lean system, resources are allocated in a way that reduces unnecessary steps, inventory, and costs, resulting in faster and more efficient supply chain operations. Lean methodologies employ various tools such as value stream mapping to visualize and improve processes, identifying inefficiencies that can be addressed.

While Six Sigma, continuous improvement, and quality control are important methodologies in their own right, they have different focuses. Six Sigma emphasizes reducing defects and variability in processes to ensure high-quality outputs. Continuous improvement involves ongoing efforts to enhance products, services, or processes, but it does not necessarily prioritize waste reduction in the same manner as lean. Quality control primarily focuses on maintaining the standard of products and services, ensuring they meet certain specifications. Therefore, the emphasis on efficiency and waste minimization is distinctively aligned with lean practices, making it the correct answer.