The SIPOC diagram is an important tool in a Six Sigma project. It is part of the Six Sigma DEFINE phase. It is an acronym that stands to Suppliers, Inputs Process, Outputs and Customers. Business process experts use the SIPOC diagram to help them understand how to look at a process as a series of steps that converts an input into a output. The inputs come from suppliers and the outputs go back to customers. It allows you to clearly understand the purpose and scope of a process. Let’s take a closer look at the SIPOC Diagram.
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A SIPOC model Example
This figure shows you an example of a SIPOC chart. It is a visual tool that allows you to document a business process, from its beginning to its end. These diagrams are sometimes called high-level process maps, as they don’t contain too much detail. It is an essential component of a process map. This tool allows us to create an organized view of our work process and establish the foundation for the DMAIC strategy. The SIPOC structure allows the process owner and all those involved to define the key elements of a process and agree upon the boundaries. It is always completed using the sequence of Processes, Outputs Customers, Inputs and Suppliers. It is sometimes also known as POCIS diagram. COPIS follows the reverse order, i.e. Customer, Output and Process. Input and Supplier.
When should you use SIPOC
Let’s now see when this diagram is needed. It can be used to focus a discussion and help team members agree on a common language and understanding for Continuous Improvement. SIPOC is used in Six Sigma during the “Define” phase of the DMAIC improvement step. This diagram should be used when process management or improvement activities are underway. It’s important to have a clear understanding of the process’s scope before you can use it.
Why is SIPOC important for process improvement?
It is equally important that you understand why SIPOC is necessary. These are some explanations. When the following is unclear, the SIPOC tool can be very useful:
Who supplies inputs for the process?
What specifications are put on the inputs?
Who are the true clients of the process?
What are the customer’s requirements?
A team can reap the benefits of a SIPOC chart when they work together:
It is important to understand the basics of the process
It is necessary to keep track of knowledge about a process in an easily-viewable format
Communication is essential to communicate clearly with others about a process
Creating an effective SIPOC diagram
A brainstorming session is essential to generate a SIPOC that is both effective and efficient. Team members fill out SIPOC charts during brainstorming sessions by starting with the middle column: Process. The process column should be kept simple. It should contain no more than five steps, and each step should consist of an action and subject. Once everyone has agreed on how the process should be documented, they can then list the results and customers. They then work backwards starting at the center of the diagram to identify input and suppliers. SIPOC diagrams are often done in this way, and are often referred to as POCIS (Process, Output, Customers, Inputs & Suppliers diagrams).
SIPOC is a great opportunity to work forward.
Why should we work in reverse in SIPOC Let’s try to find the answer. SIPOC is a high-level process overview of both the current and steady-state processes. The COPIS diagram shows an advanced process overview of an optimized process. SIPOC’s opposite idea, also known as COPIS, has been around for a while. It is often used in Six Sigma quality projects to “outs”