SIPOC stands for suppliers, inputs, process, outputs, and customers

A SIPOC (sometimes COPIS) is a tool or template that summarizes the inputs and outputs of one or more processes in a tablular form. In other words it can be used to define a process before we begin to measure or improve it. The acronym SIPOC stands for suppliers, inputs, process, outputs, and customers which form the columns of the table.

This tool is used whenever some process management or improvement activity is planned because this tool helpsto get a high level understanding of the proces scope.  Mostly Kaizen events or "define" phase of the DMAIC process use SIPOC tool to define and understand the boundaries of process being worked on.

SIPOC use can be categorized base on the audience:

• To give high level overview for people unfamiliar with a process or act as a ready reckoner for refreshing the overview of system.


• To help define a brand new process

Before creating a SIPOC process, do the following:

1. Finalize the name of the process. Use a Verb + Noun format (e.g. Recruit Staff).


2. Identify the Outputs of the process. These are the tangible things that the process produces (e.g. a report, or letter).


3. Identify the Customers of the process. These are the people who receive the Outputs. Every Output should have a Customer.


4. Define the Inputs to the process. These are the things that trigger the process. They will often be tangible (e.g. a customer request)


5. Define the Suppliers to the process. These are the people who supply the inputs. Every input should have a Supplier. In some “end-to-end” processes, the supplier and the customer may be the same person.


6. Define the sub-processes that make up the process. These are the activities that are carried out to convert the inputs into outputs. They will form the basis of a process map.

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Some examples of SIPOCmodel are

Onsite – Offshore Coordination: The client (Supplier) sends the specification document. The documents are received by the onsite coordinator which serves as the input (Input). The inputs may be in the form of PPT, Un-standardized Flows, Process Narratives, etc. If any clarification is required to understand the business for drafting the flows, then a brain storming session is arranged with the coordinator to get the doubts clarified. Once the doubts are clarified then the business flows are drafted according to the methodology agreed by the team (Process). Then the finalized Business process flows are reviewed and sent to the Onsite coordinator (Output). The final report is sent to the Clients (Customer).

Account Activation in a Bank: Suppliers involved in account activation are Customers, New account activation system. So the suppliers send input information to the Customer Service Representative. The customer service representative gathers the Inputs in the form of Customer Account Number, Customer Identity details and Customer Relationship Type (Joint, Merchant, and Third Party etc), etc. So with the gathered information various processes are performed which form the core of account activation. After the processing is complete the Outputs in the form of Customer Notification, Card Activation status, Sales eligibility details, Account Activation status are sent to the Customers.

A SIPOC example in tabular form is

Process : Car Dealer Example
Suppliers	Inputs	Process	Output	Customers
Manufacture Gas Supplier Cars Fuels for Car Car Cleaners Meet Client Map their requirements to the car Present Options Identify Financing Options New Client Legal Contract				1.Car buyer2.Car Renter

Above is a simplified example of a SIPOC. In practice, you may need to include several other suppliers (e.g. Shops to supply spare parts, Credit Rating Agency to assess old cars) and other customers (Company, Government Departments).