A SIPOC diagram identifies all elements of a process improvement project before work begins. It helps define the scope of a complex project by answering questions about where the process starts and ends, its major steps, inputs and outputs, key customers and suppliers, and customer requirements. The diagram provides a deep understanding of the current process. It typically includes suppliers, inputs, process steps, outputs, and customers. Metrics may also be included to define quality, time, and cost of inputs, processes, and outputs. The diagram helps scope and plan a process improvement project.

1. SIPOC DIAGRAM
Best-In-Class Template
Analysis and Recommendation

2. Purpose of a SIPOC Diagram
 Identifies all elements of a Process Improvement Project
before work begins
 Helps define and refine a complex project that might not be
well scoped
 Helps answer questions such as:
 Where does the process start and end?
 What are the major steps in the process?
 What are the primary process inputs and outputs?
 Who are the key customers of the process (both internal and external)?
 Who are the key suppliers of the process (both internal and external)?
 What are the requirements of the customers?
 Provides a deep understanding of the current process

3. SIPOC Diagram Example
Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customer
(Specifications) (Name) (Requirements)
Step/Activity1
Step Activity #2
.
.
.
Step Activity #n

4. SIPOC Diagram Example

5. SIPOC Diagram Example

6. SIPOC Diagram Example
Process: Name of Process
Process Inputs (x) Type Process Step Outputs (y)
Input 1:
Input 2:
Input 3:
Input 4: STEP ONE
Input 5:
Input 6:
Process Inputs (x) Type Process Step Outputs (y)
Input 1:
Input 2:
Input 3:
Input 4: STEP TWO
Input 5:
Input 6:
Process Inputs (x) Type Process Step Outputs (y)
Input 1:
Input 2:
Input 3:
Input 4: STEP THREE
Input 5:
Input 6:

7. Matrix Comparison- SIPOC Diagrams
#2
#4
#1
#3
C
C
C
C
PO
PO
PO
PO
SI
SI
SI
SI
Supplier X X X
Inputs X X X X
Processes As
Text X X
Process Flow
Charted X X
Outputs X X X X
Customers X X X
Enablers X X
Input Metrics X
Process Metrics X
Output Metrics X
Metrics by Type X
Multi Process
Capable X

8. Best-in-class SIPOC Diagram (completed)
Suppliers Input Process Output Customers
Process description:
Developing a Data Warehouse
Project Manager Flat Files Data Warehouse Senior Management
Vendors Project Description Data Extracts Business Owners
IT Staff RFP Goal Data Cubes Report Consumers
Source Systems Requirements Procure Develope Reports Senior IT Management
Hardware Data
Project Manager Project Description Infrastructure IT Staff
Warehouse
Hardware Vendors RFP Goal Reporting Software
Project Manager Requirements
Software Vendors
IT Consultants
Procure
Source Systems
Software
Metrics Metrics Metrics
Time to Load # of Steps Data Integrity
Terabytes Loaded # of Automated Steps Report Usage
Cost Goals/Restraints Time to Complete Process Cost of Package
Time to Load Time to Complete Process Cost of Hardware
Terabytes Loaded # of Steps Cost of Maintenance
Cost of Packaged
# of Automated Steps Software
Time to Complete Process Data Integrity
Report Usage
Cost of Package
Cost of Staff

9. Best-in-class SIPOC Diagram (template)
Suppliers Input Process Output Customers
Process description:
Brief description of entire process here
STEP STEP STEP
ONE TWO THREE
STEP STEP STEP
FOUR FIVE SIX
Metrics Metrics Metrics

10. SIPOC Operational Definitions
Suppliers: The individuals, departments, or organizations that
Inputs: The information or materials provided by the suppliers.
Process: The macro steps (typically 4-6) or tasks that transform
Outputs: The products or services that result from the process.

11. SIPOC Operational Definitions
 Customers: The individuals, departments, or organizations that
receive the outputs, the products or services, generated by the
process
 Input Metric: Quantitative measurements used to define
quality, time or cost of the inputs
 Process Metric: Quantitative measurements used to define
quality, time or cost of the process
 Output Metric: Quantitative measurements used to define
quality, time or cost of the output

12. Sources
http://finance.isixsigma.com/library/content/c060322a.asp
http://www.army.mil/armybtkc/focus/cpi/tools3.htm#img1
http://www.asq.org/sixsigma/tools-exchange/docs/sipoc-diagram-template.doc
http://www.isixsigma.com/library/content/c010429a.asp
http://www.minitab.com/products/qualitycompanion/tools/sipoc.aspx
http://www.pd-trak.com/sixsigma.htm
http://www.powerandsystems.com/EN/resources/articles_associates/lilla.html
http://www.willdo.com.au/Downloads/ProcessImprovementModulesDemo.doc
http://www.anticlue.net/archives/000760.htm
Information Source: Peter S. Pande, Robert P. Neuman, Roland R. Cavanagh, The Six Sigma Way – Team
Handbook, (New York, McGraw-Hill, 2002)