SIPOC (Suppliers – Inputs – Process – Output – Customers) Diagram
SIPOC (Suppliers-Inputs-Process-Output-Customers) is basically a diagram – a tool used in Six Sigma methodology. Of late, it has been the focus of many inquiries and discussions. It is explained in detail in the following paragraphs.
Before a process improvement project begins, the team uses the SIPOC diagram for identifying all the relevant elements of it. This tool is employed during the Measure phase of DMAIC methodology of Six Sigma. A complex project which is not very well scoped can be defined using this diagram. SIPOC is similar to tools like Process Mapping and In/Out of Scope, but is more detailed than them.
SIPOC gets its name from the Suppliers (S) of your process, Inputs (I) to the process, the Process (P) which is developed by the team, Outputs (O) of the process, and Customers (C) of your process. Sometimes, Requirements (R) of the customers are also added to SIPOC.
SIPOC is particularly employed for identifying:
- The suppliers who supply inputs to your process
- The input specifications
- The true customers of your process
- The requirements of customers
SIPOC diagrams are simple to design. They are created using the following steps:
1. First, you have to create a suitable area for the SIPOC diagram which will allow additions by the team. This can be either a transparency, flip chart with headings written on each, or in the form of headings on post-it notes that are posted to a wall.
2. Start with mapping the process to four or five high-level steps.
3. Identify the process outputs.
4. Identify the customers who will receive the outputs of your process.
5. Identify the inputs for your process to function properly.
6. Identify the suppliers who will give the inputs to your process.
7. This is an optional step – identify the requirements of customers. This step will be verified during a later phase of Six Sigma measurement.
8. Discuss with project sponsors and other stake-holders to verify it.
These are the steps involved in designing a SIPOC diagram.
