SIPOC

SIPOC Diagram
Kerri Simon 12
Many recent inquiries and discussions have focused on the SIPOC diagram – a tool used in the Six Sigma methodology. Because of the interest level, a further explanation is presented here along with a sample and template for your use.
A SIPOC diagram is a tool used by a team to identify all relevant elements of a process improvement project before work begins. Ithelps define a complex project that may not be well scoped, and is typically employed at the Measure phase of the Six Sigma DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology. It is similar and related to process mapping and ‘in/out of scope’ tools, but provides additional detail.
The tool name prompts the team to consider the suppliers (the ‘s’ in SIPOC) of your process, the inputs(the ‘i’) to the process, the process (the ‘p’) your team is improving, the outputs (the ‘o’) of the process, and the customers (the ‘c’) that receive the process outputs. In some cases, requirements of the customers can be appended to the end of the SIPOC for further detail.
The SIPOC tool is particularly useful when it is not clear:
Who supplies inputs to the process?
What specifications areplaced on the inputs?
Who are the true customers of the process?
What are the requirements of the customers?
Sample SIPOC Diagram
A SIPOC diagram is a tool used by a team to identify all relevant elements of a process improvement project before work begins. It helps define a complex project that may not be well scoped, and is typically employed at the Measure phase of the Six Sigma DMAICmethodology.

Steps to Complete the SIPOC Diagram
SIPOC diagrams are very easy to complete. Here are the steps you should follow:
1. Create an area that will allow the team to post additions to the SIPOC diagram. This could be a transparancy (to be projected by an overhead) made of the provided template, flip charts with headings (S-I-P-O-C) written on each, or headings written on post-it notesposted to a wall.
2. Begin with the process. Map it in four to five high level steps.
3. Identify the outputs of this process.
4. Identify the customers that will receive the outputs of this process.
5. Identify the inputs required for the process to function properly.
6. Identify the suppliers of the inputs that are required by the process.
7. Optional: Identify the preliminary requirements ofthe customers. This will be verified during a later step of the Six Sigma measurement phase.
8. Discuss with project sponsor, Champion and other involved stakeholders for verification.
SIPOC Templates
The following SIPOC templates are for immediate download and use. The Adobe Acrobat version allows you to print and input your SIPOC information by hand, perhaps by overhead. The MicrosoftPowerPoint version allows you to input your SIPOC information and print.
http://www.isixsigma.com/tools-templates/sipoc-copis/sipoc-diagram/

¿Qué es el SIPOC?
Cuando entras al mundo de Seis Sigma o Lean Six Sigma comienzas a encontrarte con diferentes tipos de herramientas que te ayudaran a resolver problemas específicos que se te vayan presentando durante el desarrollo de tu proyecto. Una de estasherramientas de Seis Sigma es el SIPOC, SIPOC es un acrónimo de las palabras en inglés de “Supplier, Input, Process, Output,Customer” como en la siguiente figura:


El SIPOC nos sirve para dos cosas:
1. Nos provee de una vista macro del flujo del proceso o producto y sus interrelaciones dentro del negocio.
2. El SIPOC define los límites del proceso, el punto de inicio y final del proceso quenecesita una mejora.
Y… ¿Cómo podemos desarrollar un SIPOC?
Como nuestro objetivo es el de definir una vista a alto nivel del proceso “como esta”, debemos incluir a nuestro equipo multifuncional en el desarrollo del SIPOC.
1. Como primer paso, el equipo debe ponerse de acuerdo en los puntos de inicio y final del proceso. Entender el negocio nos puede ayudar en este proceso.
2. Trabajando de...