Why use a template for the SIPOC method ?

Originally, the SIPOC method was developed for Six-Sigma. There it is used in the define phase of a project. With the SIPOC diagram, business process managers illustrate the End-to-end process of certain business functions and operations.

The acronym SIPOC stands for the column names of a SIPOC diagram:

• S - Supplier
• I - Inputs
• P - Process
• O - Output
• C - Customer

Such a diagram can be used for different purposes:

1. Give new employees a general overview of standard operating procedures (SOP).
2. Refresh or update the process knowledge of employees.
3. As a basis for the formulation of new processes or the improvement of existing processes.

A SIPOC template is therefore used to create a SIPOC diagram. It contains 5 sections for each aspect one. With its help, process managers can more easily outline internal or external business processes.

This article informs about the following topics:

1. Use a SIPOC template

2. Steps to complete the SIPOC diagram

3. Digital SIPOC template for greater efficiency

Procedure for the application of a SIPOC template

The SIPOC diagram is a versatile tool for business processes that can be used in practice by any type of company. It is easiest to start by listing the process steps. In the SIPOC method, the elements of an SOP are divided into five categories to provide a rough overview of a business process. It is not a matter of carrying out a detailed process analysis.

1. Supplier

The first point in the SIPOC diagram refers to an internal or external unit. This initiates the processing of requests and effectively serves as a supplier of input. In a restaurant, for example, this can be the customer who places an order.

The questions that process managers should ask themselves here are those about internal and external suppliers: Who provides the input factors?

2. Input

Input refers to the requests or work orders provided by the supplier. In a restaurant, an external input would be the food order by the customer. In contrast, the assistant chef who supports the head chef would be an internal input.

In this process step you may ask yourself which input factors are necessary to perform it: information, materials, machines or services ?

3. Process

The process refers to the standard procedures used by employees to fulfill a request from a supplier. In a restaurant, for example, this is the cook who prepares a dish in response to a customer's order. It is therefore important to ask yourself which standard procedure should be used.

4. Output

The output is the final result after the supplier's input has gone through the standard process. The question that process managers ask themselves in this section of the SIPOC diagram is the question of the result. In a restaurant, for example, this is the finished dish that is served to the guest.

The output can be material, such as a finished product, components or assemblies, or immaterial, such as processed information in the form of a document (order confirmations, environmental reports, etc.).

5. Customer

In this process step, a distinction is also made between external and internal customers. It is asked for when the result is actually produced. In a restaurant, for example, it is the guest who has received and eaten the ordered dish. It also serves as a vendor. However, this does not always have to be the case.

It is useful to note down the departments or persons who carry out the process for each step of the process, so that it is immediately clear who is responsible for the process.

STEPS TO COMPLETE THE SIPOC DIAGRAM

A SIPOC diagram can help companies of all kinds to standardize both external and internal processes. It just needs to be done correctly. Using the SIPOC method helps employees to work more efficiently by concentrating on the essentials. To do this, all unnecessary steps are removed from a process.

The following steps will help you to use the SIPOC diagram successfully in your company:

• Create the map in such a way that all the employees can contribute to the diagram by making their own additions. This can be an extra area in the diagram, space for inserting notes etc.


• Start with outlining the process. Visualize it in the form of four to five high-level steps.


• Define the outputs of the process and the customers that will receive those outputs.


• Highlight the inputs required to run the process.


• Identify both the suppliers of the inputs that are necessary for the process and the preliminary requirements of the customers.


• Discuss with the relevant stakeholders for verifying the diagram.

Digital SIPOC template for more efficiency

A successful company needs clearly defined and easily understandable SOPs. A mobile application such as Lumiform, with which SIPOC templates can be filled out at any time from anywhere in the team, is a valuable asset for any company.

The mobile app and desktop software is easy to understand and use. Lumiform offers less complexity in filling out a SIPOC diagram than cumbersome paper and Excel lists. The digital application offers room for error. This reduces the risk of loss of quality and damage to reputation.

Lumiform offers teams these additional advantages when creating a SIPOC diagram:

• Create your own SIPOC templates from scratch using the flexible form construction kit.


• Receive real-time data for the SIPOC diagram The updates can be passed on immediately to participants via the app to save time and resources.


• Simple collaboration via the app to solve problems that arise and improve SIPOC diagrams as quickly as possible.