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| SIPOC
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| Introduction |
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A SIPOC diagram is used to identify all the essential elements of a process before work begins to improve it. It can help you and your team members to define a complex project that might otherwise be intractable or difficult to scope out.
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 DMAIC methodology. It is similar and related to Process Mapping and 'In/Out Of Scope' tools, but provides additional detail.
The SIPOC tool is particularly useful when it is not clear:
- Who supplies Inputs to the process?
- What specifications are placed on the Inputs?
- Who are the true Customers of the process?
- What are the Requirements of the customers?
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| Supplier |
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The internal/external Suppliers of the Inputs required for the Process.
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| Inputs/Specifications |
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The Inputs -- such as materials, forms, information, etc. -- required for the Process to work properly, including any specifications for the Inputs.
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| Process
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The activities, procedures, steps required to produce the Output.
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| Outputs/Requirements
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What the Customer/Client wants/needs/has requested, including the specific requirements for each Output. It is what the process/unit produces. Requirements could include timing and frequency.
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| Customers
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The internal/external Customers/Clients that will receive the Outputs of this Process.
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