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LEAN: Understanding a SIPOC – Supply, Input, Process, Output,

Customer (Quality Systems Management Tools Series 2016)

Dr. Sharon L. Burton, DBA, LSSBB, HCS, SWP

Goal

The goal of this lesson is for users to understand

SIPOC as a quality and business process

improvement tool.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this lesson users should be able to

Articulate the usage of a SIPOC-Supply, Input,

Process, Output, Customer

Explain how to develop a SIPOC

Demonstrate the development of a SIPOC

What is a SIPOC – Supply, Input, Process,

Output, Customer?

SIPOC:

Is a tool utilized to ascertain the pertinent

elements of a business process improvement

project before the actual work starts

Helps to delineate key aspects of complex

projects that may not be fully scoped

Many times used in the measurement phase of

the methodology – Six Sigma DMAIC

What is the Value of a SIPOC Diagram?

Through understanding the SIPOC, stakeholders

and project teams members who are unfamiliar

with a process gain understanding through a

high-level overview

Updates stakeholders and project team members

whose knowledge with a process has lessened or

become out-of-date due to process changes

Supports the defining a new process

More on the SIPOC Diagram?

Customers and Suppliers can be either internal

or external to the company that performs the

process improvement

Information, material or services can be inputs or

outputs

Documenting the inputs and outputs is a salient

focus, not the individual steps of the process

Creation Time to Allot for the SIPOC Diagram

From Start to Finish Allow 5 hours

• Data Collection: 1-3 hours

• Diagramming the SIPOC: 1 hour

• Walk through of SIPOC with Stakeholders: 1 hour

How to Develop a SIPOC?

Develop a chart of five columns and two rows.

How to Develop a SIPOC?

Meet with key stakeholders and team members to

gather the data on SIPOC-Supply, Input, Process,

Output, Customer

Example SIPOC: System Repair

How to Develop a SIPOC?

Allow the completion of the SIPOC-Supply, Input,

Process, Output, Customer

Example SIPOC: System Repair

Bibliography

Burge, R., & Bagg, J. (2013). Lean Six Sigma for traditionalists. Industrial

Engineer: IE, 45(6), 36.

De la Lama, J., Fernandez, J., Punzano, J., Nicolas, M., Nin, S., Mengual, R., &

…Ramos, G. (2013). Using Six Sigma tools to improve internal processes

in a hospital center through three pilot projects. International Journal of

Healthcare Management, 6(3), 158-167. doi:

10.1179/2047971913Y.0000000044

Parkash, S., & Kaushik, V. K. (2011). Supplier performance monitoring and

improvement (SPMI) through SIPOC analysis and PCDA model to the

ISO 9001 QMS in sports goods manufacturing industry. Logforum, 7(4), 1-

15.

Sitnikov, C. (2012). Six Sigma as a strategic tool for companies. Young

Economists Journal / Revista Tinerilor Economisti, 9(19), 94-102.