Who is the internal customer in a production process?

The correct answer is the person who performs the previous step in the process because in a production environment, internal customers are those individuals or departments that rely on the output of others within the same organization to complete their own tasks. The person performing the previous step is directly involved in the workflow and their work must meet specific requirements for the next person in the chain to effectively do their job.

This internal relationship highlights the interconnectedness of different roles within the production process, where each individual is both a provider of input and a receiver of output. Understanding this concept is crucial for improving efficiency, workflow, and overall productivity in the workplace. This perspective emphasizes collaboration and communication between different positions to ensure quality and continuous improvement.

In contrast, suppliers of materials are external to the production process and do not rely on the internal output directly, while the final consumer is not part of the internal structure at all. The quality assurance inspector, while a vital part of ensuring product quality, does not perform the preceding step in the production process but rather evaluates the end product after its completion.