Identify relevant elements of your process improvement
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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What is a SIPOC diagram?
What are the elements of the SIPOC diagram?
Why use a SIPOC diagram?
SIPOC diagram vs. process map: What’s the difference?
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