SIPOC Diagram
Bradlee J. Watson
MBA Student of Global Supply Chain Management
Marriott School of Management
Brigham Young University
Class Agenda
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. SIPOC Defined
3. How can SIPOC be used?
4. How It Works
5. An Example
6. In-class Exercise
7. Summary
SIPOC Defined
SIPOC is an acronym standing for
1. S = Supplier(s)
2. I = Input(s) & key requirements
3. P = Process
4. O = Output(s) & key requirements
5. C = Customer(s)
SIPOC Diagram Defined
A SIPOC Diagram is a visual representation of
a high-level process map; including suppliers
& inputs into the process and outputs &
customers of the process
Visually communicates the scope of a project
How can SIPOC be used?
SIPOC Diagrams help a team and its
sponsor(s) agree on project boundaries and
scope
A SIPOC helps teams verify that
inputs match outputs of upstream processes
outputs match inputs of downstream processes
Brainstorming Exercise
How can SIPOC be used in
your organization?
How a SIPOC works
Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers
Step 1: Begin with the high-level process map
Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 2: List all of the outputs from the process
Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers
Step 1 Examples
Services
Products
Step 2 Reports
Metrics
Raw data
Step 3
Step 4
Step 3: Identify the customers receiving the
outputs
Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers
Step 1 Examples Examples
Services Internal
Products External
Step 2 Reports Vendors
Metrics End users
Raw data Management
Step 3 Downstream Process
Step 4
Step 4: List all of the inputs into the process
Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers
Examples Step 1 Examples Examples
Data Services Internal
Parts Products External
Application Step 2 Reports Vendors
Raw Metrics End users
materials Raw data Management
Step 3 Downstream Process
Step 4
Step 5: Identify the suppliers of the process
inputs
Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers
Examples Examples Step 1 Examples Examples
Internal Data Services Internal
External Parts Products External
Vendors Application Step 2 Reports Vendors
Producers Raw Metrics End users
Management materials Raw data Management
Upstream Process Step 3 Downstream Process
Step 4
An Example: Mowing the Lawn
Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers
Step 1: Begin with the high-level process map
Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers
Prepare Lawn
for mowing
Mow the
Lawn
Trim the
Lawn
Clean-up &
Removal
Step 2: List all of the outputs from the process
Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers
Prepare Lawn Debris
for mowing from lawn
Beautiful
Mow the
lawn
Lawn
Bagged
Trim the grass
Lawn clippings
Happy
Clean-up &
customer
Removal
Step 3: Identify the customers receiving the
output
Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers
Prepare Lawn Debris Homeowner
for mowing from lawn
Beautiful Yard waste
Mow the
lawn recycler
Lawn
Bagged
Trim the grass
Lawn clippings
Happy
Clean-up &
customer
Removal
Step 4: List all of the inputs into the process
Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers
Long lawn Prepare Lawn Debris Homeowner
Lawn- for mowing from lawn
mower Beautiful Yard waste
Mow the
Trimmer lawn recycler
Lawn
Gasoline Bagged
Trim the grass
Yard clippings
Lawn
waste bags
Rake & Happy
Clean-up &
broom customer
Removal
Step 5: Identify the suppliers of the process
inputs
Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers
Homeowner Long lawn Prepare Lawn Debris Homeowner
Home Lawn- for mowing from lawn
Depot mower Beautiful Yard waste
Mow the
Chevron Trimmer lawn recycler
Lawn
Gasoline Bagged
Trim the grass
Yard clippings
Lawn
waste bags
Rake & Happy
Clean-up &
broom customer
Removal
In-Class Exercise
Brainstorm an in-flight or
planned project in your
organization
Step 1: Begin with your high-level process
map (Keep to 4-5 process steps)
Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 2: Brainstorm all of the outputs from the
process
Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers
List process
Step 1 outputs
List key
Step 2 output
requirements
Step 3
Step 4
Step 3: Identify the customers receiving the
outputs
Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers
List process List customers
Step 1 outputs
List key
Step 2 output
requirements
Step 3
Step 4
Step 4: Brainstorm all of the inputs into the
process
Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers
List process List process List customers
inputs Step 1 outputs
List key List key
input Step 2 output
requirements requirements
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5: Identify the suppliers of the process
inputs
Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers
List suppliers List process List process List customers
inputs Step 1 outputs
List key List key
input Step 2 output
requirements requirements
Step 3
Step 4
Summary
What we covered today
1. Defined SIPOC
2. Discussed how SIPOC can be used
3. Showed how it works
4. Demonstrated an example
5. Completed an in-class exercise
Reference Materials
Michael L. George, David Rowlands, Mark Price, John Maxey. The Lean Six Sigma
Pocket Toolbook. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005.
Scott A Laman, Elizabeth Burns, Kathy L Lynn. ASQ Certification Board Puts Quality
Tools to Work. Quality Progress. Milwaukee: Mar 2007. Vol. 40, Iss. 3; pg. 54, 9 pgs
Kerri Simon. SIPOC Diagram. [Link]
Bryan Carey and J. DeLayne Stroud. SIPOC Leads to Process Mapping and Project
Selection. [Link]
David Rasmusson. The SIPOC Picture Book: A Visual Guide to the SIPOC/DMAIC
Relationship. Wisconsin: Oriel Incorporated, 2006.
