LEAN: Understanding the SIPOC (Supply, Input, Output, Customer) offers information for users to learn its key elements, better understand the tools, as well as comprehend its value to process improvement and learning. After this lesson, learners 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

1. 1
LEAN: Understanding a
SIPOC – Supply, Input, Process, Output,
Customer (Quality Systems Management Tools Series 2016)
Dr. Sharon L. Burton, DBA, LSSBB, HCS, SWP

2. Goal
The goal of this lesson is for users to understand
SIPOC as a quality and business process
improvement tool.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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become out-of-date due to process changes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

6. 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

7. 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

8. How to Develop a SIPOC?
Develop a chart of five columns and two rows.

9. 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

10. How to Develop a SIPOC?
Allow the completion of the SIPOC-Supply, Input,
Process, Output, Customer
Example SIPOC: System Repair

11. 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.