IHI.org - A resource from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement
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Producer/Customer Interface

To benefit from improvements in quality of products and services, the customer must recognize and appreciate the improvements. Many ideas for improvement can come directly from a supplier or from the producer's customers. Many problems in organizations occur because the producer does not understand the important aspects of the customers’ needs or customers are not clear about their expectations from suppliers. The interface between producer/provider and their customers presents opportunities to learn and develop changes that will lead to improvement.


Changes for Improvement
Optimize Level of Inspection
Coach Customers to Use Product/Service
Work with Suppliers
Use a Coordinator
Reach Agreement on Expectations
Outsource for "Free"
Listen to Customers
Focus on the Outcome to a Customer