SIPOC

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In process improvement, a SIPOC (sometimes COPIS) is a tool that summarizes the inputs and outputs of one or more processes in table form. The acronym SIPOC stands for suppliers, inputs, process, outputs, and customers which form the columns of the table.[1][2] It was in use at least as early as the Total Quality Management programs of the late 1980s and continues to be used today in Six Sigma and Lean manufacturing.

To emphasize putting the needs of the customer foremost, the tool is sometimes called COPIS and the process information is filled in starting with the customer and working upstream to the supplier.

The SIPOC is often presented at the outset of process improvement efforts such as Kaizen events or during the "define" phase of the DMAIC process.[3] It has three typical uses depending on the audience:

  • To give people who are unfamiliar with a process a high-level overview
  • To reacquaint people whose familiarity with a process has faded or become out-of-date due to process changes
  • To help people in defining a new process

Several aspects of the SIPOC that may not be readily apparent are:

  • Suppliers and customers may be internal or external to the organization that performs the process.
  • Inputs and outputs may be materials, services, or information.
  • The focus is on capturing the set of inputs and outputs rather than the individual steps in the process.[A]
Example SIPOC: Automobile Repair
Supplier Input Process Output Customer
Vehicle owner
Customer service representative
Facility manager
Parts window
 Repair inquiry
Vehicle for repair
Permission to proceed with individual recommendations
Open bay
Parts for approved repairs
Observations 		Schedule visit
Diagnose problem
Prepare work order
Source parts
Perform repairs
Notify that service is complete 		Appointment date and time
Repair recommendations and cost estimates
Work order
Parts for approved repairs
Telephone/e-mail/text message notification
Repaired vehicle 		Vehicle owner
Mechanic
Customer service representative

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ The capture of individual process steps in detail is the focus of business process mapping.

References

  1. ↑ Simon, Kerri. "SIPOC Diagram". Ridgefield, Connecticut: iSixSigma. Retrieved 2012-07-03. 
  2. ↑ "SIPOC (Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, Customers) Diagram". Milwaukee, Wisconsin: American Society for Quality. Retrieved 2012-07-03. 
  3. ↑ Saxena, Sanjaya Kumar (June 2007). "SIPOC". Noida, India. Retrieved 2012-07-03. 

External links

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