Everything you need to know to Create a SIPOC Diagram — GUIDE

What is a SIPOC Diagram and what is it used for?

SIPOC diagram definition

**SIPOC diagram is a visual high-level process map** used to define key elements of a business process and terminology to help teams better understand the process. SIPOC comes in a table format with five columns: Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers. In the Six Sigma model, SIPOC is used in the Define phase of DMAIC.

A SIPOC diagram is a type of process mapping. Process mapping refers to the act of outlining a project’s goals and the specific steps required to achieve those objectives.

**DMAIC** stands for Define Measure Analyze Improve Control. DMAIC is the data-driven model of the Lean Six Sigma model. The ultimate goal of DMAIC is business process improvement and optimization. SIPOC diagram as a part of DMAIC also has a supporting role in lean manufacturing and business process improvement programs.

How to fill out the five columns of a SIPOC diagram

A SIPOC diagram is usually used in a Lean Six Sigma process improvement project and other process improvement models.

Here’s how to fill out the five columns of a SIPOC diagram:

How is SIPOC used in a Lean Six Sigma project

Lean Six Sigma project management is a methodology that focuses on continuous process improvement and strives to optimize business processes by relying on data and measuring success through qualitative methods. It was invented by Bill Smith and Mikel Harry in 1986 at Motorola. The Lean Six Sigma model seeks to improve quality by removing the root cause of defects by identifying process variation in company procedures.

When taking on a Lean Six Sigma project to identify inefficiencies in your current processes, teams should always start with creating a high-level SIPOC diagram first before creating a more detailed Process Map.

In this guide, you will learn how to create a SIPOC diagram — a high-level process map. SIPOC process map will give you a high-level overview of your current processes, define a common language, identify operation’s suppliers, show process improvement opportunities, and help your team identify the outputs of the process (you may identify some non-obvious process outputs) and its key steps. Visual representations of Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers will give the new team members a better understanding of all the important steps of the entire process and help identify the root causes of wasteful activities.

By getting all individuals involved on the same page, SIPOC diagram process mapping will ensure smoother operations and help your company reduce process variation which can lead to improved process outputs that meet customer requirements and better customer satisfaction.

What is the difference between SIPOC diagram and business Process Map?

SIPOC vs Process map

SIPOC diagram and Process Map serve different functions. The SIPOC diagram provides a high-level process visualization. The more detailed business Process Map ensures that all team members have access to all the necessary information and understand all the key steps to complete the process successfully.

A SIPOC diagram is incredibly helpful during the Define phase of the Lean Six Sigma model because it gives you and your team members a birds-eye view of the entire business process. The SIPOC diagram helps answer crucial questions about how to best run the process, what should be included in the scope, what has to be measured, and who the key players are. Although the SIPOC diagram is incredibly helpful in the Define stage of the Lean Six Sigma project management method, it becomes lacking in detailed steps once you reach the Measure phase.

At the Measure phase, a more detailed Process Map provides the detailed steps and helps team members better understand the business processes in the SIPOC diagram.

What is the difference between a SIPOC diagram and a COPIS diagram?

SIPOC vs COPIS

Simply put, COPIS diagram (Customers Outputs Processes Inputs Suppliers) is a SIPOC diagram in reverse. COPIS focuses on customer requirements. Its main objective is to identify process outputs essential to the customers while avoiding any assumptions. The processes are then defined around the desired process outputs.

We highly recommend teams use the COPIS diagram process mapping for newer projects and business processes instead of the SIPOC diagram. The SIPOC diagram is better suited for existing processes since it is used to improve the processes that are already in place.

What are the elements of a SIPOC diagram?

A SIPOC diagram template is very simple and consists of five columns or elements: Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers.

1. Suppliers

When creating a SIPOC diagram, the Suppliers column is used to identify operation’s Suppliers that provide the necessary resources for the process Inputs. This may include external suppliers who provide materials or services, as well as internal departments or individuals responsible for delivering certain resources.

When you create a SIPOC diagram, it’s important to correctly identify suppliers (external and internal) to ensure that all the Inputs are being consistently and efficiently acquired. By including operation’s suppliers in the SIPOC diagram, any issues or disruptions with supplier delivery can be quickly identified and addressed.

2. Inputs

The Inputs column lists all the inputs required for the processes listed in the Process column. These inputs can include raw materials and resources, equipment, information, data, and services.

It is important to identify all the inputs to fully understand and improve a business process. By listing these inputs in the diagram, businesses can identify potential bottlenecks or areas in need of improvement. For example, if a certain input is consistently running low or causing delays, the organization may need to consider finding alternative sources or increasing its supply of that input.

3. Process

The Process column is a crucial part of the diagram when conducting a SIPOC model analysis. This column lists all of the major processes that exist within the overall business process being mapped allowing for a comprehensive analysis. It is important to not to provide too much detail and not put too much emphasis on detailed steps.

When filling out the Processes column in a SIPOC diagram, it is important to be both thorough and precise in identifying all major processes. Each process listed in this high-level process map should also have a clear owner or responsible party. By identifying these processes and their owners, team members can quickly see where improvements may be needed and effectively plan for future changes.

4. Outputs

The process Outputs column in a SIPOC diagram identifies the deliverables that are produced by a business process and ultimately sent to customers. These process outputs can include both tangible products, such as completed documents or manufactured items, as well as intangible services, such as consultation or assistance.

While defining the process outputs of a business process, it is important to consider both internal and external customers. Internal customers may include other departments within the same organization, while external customers may include individuals or businesses outside of the organization and have different customer requirements.

Identifying and clearly defining process outputs can improve overall business process efficiency and better customer satisfaction. It is also important to note any necessary output specifications and customer requirements, such as required dimensions or quality levels, to ensure that the end product meets customer expectations.

5. Customers

The Customer column lists customers who will receive the business process Outputs listed in the diagram. These can be internal customers, such as other departments within the company, or external customers, who may be individuals or organizations outside of the company.

It is important to note that multiple customers may be listed in this column, as different process Outputs may have different recipients. Additionally, some process Outputs may not have a specific customer. For example, an Output may be measured for compliance purposes rather than being delivered to a customer.

Understanding who receives the process Outputs helps to ensure that they meet customer requirements and expectations. Additionally, by regularly consulting with these customers and gathering feedback, a company can go through continuous process improvement and provide better products and services to its customers. As such, the Customer column in a SIPOC diagram is crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction and driving continuous process improvement.

What are the key benefits of using a SIPOC diagram in a Lean Six Sigma project?

So why are SIPOC diagrams important? There are 8 key benefits of using a SIPOC diagram:

1. The SIPOC process mapping can help a team identify improvement opportunities in a business process.

By pinpointing improvement opportunities and analyzing current business processes, SIPOC process mapping can help your team members optimize efficiency and increase overall business success. This includes identifying where there may be too many or too few operation’s suppliers, inputs that are redundant or missing altogether, steps in the business process that are ineffective or unnecessary, process outputs that do not align with customer requirements, and pain points in the customer experience. When used correctly, SIPOC diagrams can lead to increased efficiency and customer satisfaction.

2. The SIPOC diagrams help onboard and train new team members unfamiliar with the business processes.

When it comes to completing a Lean Six Sigma project, understanding the business process is key to streamlining business operations. However, it can be very overwhelming for those people who are new to the project or have been absent for a long period of time. That’s where a SIPOC diagram comes in.

The SIPOC diagram is a visual process mapping technique that can offer a high-level overview of the process improvement project. By visually mapping out the Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers involved, SIPOC model provides a training framework for those unfamiliar with the project. This allows anyone involved with the project to quickly gain an understanding of their role in the overall business process and work towards set goals more efficiently and effectively.

The SIPOC diagram can also be used as a knowledge refresher for people whose knowledge of the process got outdated or become irrelevant due to significant changes to the business procedures.

3. The SIPOC process mapping helps teams clearly define a common language during the definition phase of a Six Sigma project.

Have you ever been in a meeting where everyone seems to be speaking a different language? This can happen when team members haven’t put effort into establishing a common understanding of the business processes and defining a common language.

SIPOC process mapping enables teams to clearly define the key objective and all of the key steps and relevant stakeholders involved in the process during the definition phase of a Six Sigma project. This allows teams to ensure that all key players are on the same page and using the same common language. The SIPOC diagram also helps to expose potential gaps or issues within the process, allowing for efficient resolution before moving forward. Clearly-defined common language can lead to greater collaboration and understanding among team members.

**Continue reading the guide.**