Input

  An input is a product, service, information, data, labor material or any other type of resource which is added to a process step usually by a supplier.  In the case of reverse supply chain the input is sometimes added by a customer.  The input is most commonly added to a process or product with the intention of transforming the input into an output.  In a SIPOC map the input represents the second stage.  Inputs can be measured in terms of quality, volume, time and financial impact on a process.