The input we need to perform our efforts. Continuing the process, and adding the next step in the value chain.
The input can be materials, products and services from external vendors and partners. Coming from other teams and divisions in our own business. It can be a sub assembly or part of a product we’ve been contracted to produce as an outsourcing partner.
Knowledge
Information, data, consulting and other forms of materials and knowledge. That becomes part of the output and outcome of our efforts, should be considered input.
The same should be considered part of our foundation when it’s enabling us to perform the efforts.
Knowledge we obtain and use as part of education, learning, gaining experiences, training and otherwise. Is input as we obtain it.
And as part of the learning process. Whether we set it aside as exformation, lessons learned for what not to do, or it becomes part of our active knowledge and skills. All knowledge input eventually becomes part of our foundation, our expertise and intuition.
Same as we describe outsourced, robotised and AI/algorithmic production and decision steps in the value chain as separate efforts. They must be included as input to ensure a complete value chain view.