Who is considered an internal customer in a quality process context?

In the context of a quality process, an internal customer refers to individuals or teams within the organization who rely on the work, products, or services of others in the same organization to fulfill their tasks. These internal customers could be members of different departments or teams that depend on one another to maintain workflow and achieve common organizational goals. Understanding internal customers is crucial in a quality process because it emphasizes the need for collaboration and communication within the organization to ensure that everyone's needs are met, which ultimately contributes to higher quality outputs.

The focus on internal customers also highlights the importance of teamwork and the continuous improvement of processes. When the needs and expectations of internal customers are recognized and addressed, it can lead to improved efficiency and effectiveness, ultimately benefiting the entire organization and its external customers.