SIPOC Template

A SIPOC diagram is a tool that helps identify all relevant elements of a process improvement project. Use this tool to define complex processes that might not be well scoped, typically employed at the Measure phase of the Six Sigma DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology.

SIPOC is a tool that is usually used in the Measure phase of the Six Sigma DMAIC project. It can also be used to analyze the different processes in a working system.

SIPOC is an acronym for:

• Supplier
• Input
• Process
• Output
• Customer

The purpose of the SIPOC diagram is:

• To identify the overall processes in the work system.
• To provide an overall perspective.
• Support the definition, structuring, and scoping of complex work systems.
• Highlight possible problems or weaknesses in the processes of the work system.

The SIPOC diagram provides answers to the following questions:

1. What is the start and endpoint of the work system?
2. What are the essential steps of the work system?
3. What are the main inputs and outputs?
4. Who are the key customers (internal and external)?
5. Who are the key suppliers (internal and external)?
6. What are the customer demands?

How to use this checklist

At the beginning of this checklist, you will be presented with a set of specialized questions given as form fields. You are required to populate each form field with your data.

This checklist is structured as per the recommended order of approach by Bzhwen A Kadir to SIPOC. Starting with the identification and documentation of business processes, as opposed to what the acronym suggests. From each process, outputs can be specified, customers for the output determined, needed inputs identified, and supplier information can be gathered.

At the end of each stage, your supervisor/manager will review your work using Process Street’s approvals feature. The resulting information is then used to make process improvements. The best way to apply the results will depend on the nature of the system.

Features used in this template include: 

• Stop tasks – To ensure task order.
• Dynamic due dates – To make sure your initiative is reviewed on time.
• Role assignment – To delegate tasks within your team ensuring your supervisors are appropriately assigned to the review tasks.
• Approvals – Tasks can be accepted, rejected, and rejected with comments.

In this SIPOC Template, you will be presented with the following form fields. For each task populate these form fields with your specific data. Find out more information on each form field by following the links to our help pages:

• Long text
• Date
• Approvals
• Website form field
• File upload form field
• Role assignment

Let’s start by recording your business details, your details, and the details of your supervisor or manager.

This is a stop task, meaning you cannot progress in this template until the required form fields are populated.

Business details

Your details

Details of Manager/Supervisor

Checklist details

Once set, the due dates for this SIPOC Template will be used to set a dynamic due date notifying your manager for the needed stage approval when required.

The results to SIPOC are often used to identify relevant elements of a process improvement project, typically during the measure phase of Six Sigma DMAIC.

If you are using SIPOC as part of your Six Sigma DMAIC, select yes from the dropdown menu below to be directed to the relevant section of this checklist.

It is good practice to describe your business processes from start to end before beginning the SIPOC analysis.

For this, documenting your processes is good practice. You can document your processes using Process Street.

For more information on how to document your processes in Process Street watch the below video: Basics of Creating and Editing Templates.

First, identify the suppliers. This could be persons, machines, processes, internal or external stakeholders, etc, that provide the inputs to your business.

List your suppliers using the long-text form field below.

Identify the required input for each process step. This includes materials, data, workforce, knowledge, information.

Record your inputs below using the long-text form field below.

Identify the different processes within the work system from the beginning to the end.

Note all your work processes in the long text form field below.

Try and condense your processes into a few steps. The SIPOC model does not concern itself with detail but provides an overall picture.

Identify the expected output of each process step, produce yield, information, service, knowledge, material etc.

List your outputs using the long-text form field below.

Identify the customers you have for each output. This could be the end-user, colleagues, other departments, customers ect.

List your customers using the long-text form field below.

Results

Suppliers

{{form.Suppliers}}

Input

{{form.Inputs}}

Processes

{{form.Processes}}

Output

{{form.Outputs}}

Customer

{{form.Customers}}

You can transfer this information in a diagram format as the once shown below:

Use the file upload and website form fields below to upload or link you finished SIPOC diagram.

As mentioned before the SIPOC diagram is employed during the Measure phase of the Six Sigma DMAIC methodology.

For more information on Six Sigma, read: The 7 Core Six Sigma Principles to Build Your Business Around

• Bzhwen A Kadir – SIPOC Diagram explained (with example)
• ISIXSIGMA – SIPOC Diagram
• Process Street – Basics of Creating and Editing Templates
• Process Street – The 7 Core Six Sigma Principles to Build Your Business Around
• Bzhwen A Kadir – SIPOC
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