What does customer pull mean in the context of lean techniques?

Customer pull in the context of lean techniques refers to the concept of creating products based on actual customer requests. This approach ensures that production aligns closely with customer demand, thereby reducing waste associated with overproduction and excess inventory. By focusing on what customers really want, organizations can streamline their operations and improve efficiency, ultimately leading to higher customer satisfaction.

This method contrasts with producing based on forecasted demands, which can lead to mismatches between supply and actual market needs, resulting in wasted resources. Other options, such as encouraging customer referrals or implementing customer feedback, while important aspects of customer engagement and quality improvement, do not specifically capture the essence of how lean techniques prioritize actual customer-driven demand in the production process.