SIPOC diagram template

Identify relevant elements of your process improvement

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SIPOC diagram

SIPOC diagram template FAQs

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Use this template to create your own Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers (SIPOC) diagram. With this framework, you can begin to identify key elements of your process and what to improve before the work begins.

The SIPOC diagram template helps you:

Map all the parts of a process before you build
Identify any difficulties or areas for improvement
Get broad alignment on next steps
Keep key stakeholders up to date

How to use the SIPOC diagram template

In this section detail each step of the process in using the Mural template. These steps may be taken directly from the template itself.

Step 1: Define what you want to improve

Start by choosing which business procedure needs to be improved. Once the business procedure is chosen, the right stakeholders with the appropriate knowledge should be invited to the discussion.

Step 2: Map your process

You begin the “P” section with your chosen business procedure. Define a map process. By defining your map process, you can begin to outline the steps of the procedure. This step should be kept very high-level, similar to a flowchart.

Step 3: Identify outputs

Identify your desired outputs, and add them under the outputs column. The outputs column should add some information for context when necessary.

Step 4: Identify customers

Identify the customers who will receive the outputs of the process. These customers could be outside clients, stakeholders, or co-workers who gain benefits from a process.

Step 5: Identify inputs

Identify your inputs. Inputs are the materials, resources, or knowledge needed for a process. The column of inputs can include additional high-level information if needed.

Step 6: Define your suppliers

Once your inputs have been defined, you’ll need to identify your suppliers. The suppliers are the source of your inputs and have a direct effect on the final outputs.

Once the SIPOC diagram has been completed, it’s ready to share with the rest of the team. The SIPOC should be shared with anyone affected by procedures, inputs, or output differences before starting any alterations in the process.

Tips for creating a SIPOC diagram

To get the most out of the SIPOC diagram template with your team, you should:

Invite a diverse array of stakeholders to ensure broad engagement and avoid any blind spots when outlining and identifying all the steps in your process, outputs, inputs, etc.
Try color-coding sticky notes to help keep track of all the elements of your process, and record feedback in comments on sticky notes; you can also help group sticky notes by theme or role using tags
Share your SIPOC diagram with stakeholders in each group to get valuable feedback and refine it over time to reflect the current state of your process or processes

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SIPOC diagram template FAQs

What is a SIPOC diagram?

A SIPOC diagram gives a visual overview of a project by identifying all the inputs and procedures necessary to deliver a product, service, or software. SIPOC is an acronym that stands for Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, and Customer.

For example, imagine you own a company that specializes in designing memory chips for computers. A SIPOC diagram helps you and your team understand what inputs (materials and knowledge) and procedures lead to your final product.

With SIPOC diagrams, you get an overview of a business process or development project from start to finish, with the relationship between inputs and outputs.

What are the elements of the SIPOC diagram?

Supplier: The provider of the inputs. For SIPOC purposes, suppliers include anyone who gives their insight and knowledge in the development process, such as developers, engineers, and product managers.
Input: The information or material needed during the process. This includes the skill, knowledge, and resources for a development process, such as payment services, products, skills, data, or material.
Process: The procedure needed to develop or transform inputs into outputs, such as analyze, test, design, build, develop, and maintain.
Outputs: The result of the procedure that becomes a product, software, or service. Examples of each output could be payment or accounting software, marketing or event management services, and products like memory chips.
Customers: The recipient of a product or service from the procedure, such as users, personnel, clients, managers, or third parties (like stakeholders who might benefit from a procedure).

Why use a SIPOC diagram?

A SIPOC’s high-level visualization helps teams understand the procedures and inputs required for output. By doing a SIPOC diagram, teams understand each piece of a business process and the steps or adjustments needed for success.

Since the process is laid out as a table, teams can quickly pinpoint areas of improvement, like changing an input resource or a step in the procedure.

SIPOC diagrams also help businesses understand what specifications and procedures they need depending on their customer and how to assess who should best supply the inputs for a process.

SIPOC diagram vs. process map: What’s the difference?

While both a SIPOC and a process map deliver the layout of a procedure, a process map, also known as a process flowchart chart, is less elaborate than a SIPOC.

SIPOC documents all the inputs, procedure steps, and outputs, while a process map only maps out the steps involved in a process.