SIPOC

Description

The SIPOC (Supplier, Input, Process, Output, Customer) is a representation of a process in a five-column structure. It describes additional input and output requirements. These requirements are influencing factors that co-determine process performance.

When

In the Imaging phase, when mapping the current process. In the Image Forming and Securing Results phases and in day-to-day steering.

Goals

A SIPOC clarifies the scope (from trigger to final product) of a process. A SIPOC also helps to clarify the inputs, outputs and associated criteria of a process.

Steps

Determining the customers of the process.
Determine what output will come out of the process and what it should meet.
Determine what inputs are needed to start the process and what they should meet.
Determine the suppliers of these inputs.
Estimate the extent to which the criteria are currently being met (ask for estimates or exact figures).

Examples

Figure: Example SIPOC

Tips:

When mapping a process, it helps to start with a SIPOC. This way, the scope of the process is clear and it is known what will and will not be mapped.
Make sure you draft the SIPOC in collaboration with process stakeholders.
Start the SIPOC from 'right to left', so start by defining the customer and output.
Formulate the process with a verb, e.g. 'Handle invoices'.