Understand what is SIPOC and how to use this tool
Know how to make a SIPOC diagram to map your processes, create a scope more assertive and better plan your project!
When you realize an improvement project for a problem solution, it’s important that we use the right tools, because they will make all the difference in the result of the work.
One of these tools, which helps a lot in targeting project, is the SIPOC diagram.
Making a SIPOC is something very simple and will help you a lot to mapping your processes. However, many questions can emerge while using this tool.
That’s exactly why you are in the right place! I will teach you what SIPOC is, how to define your steps very clearly and solidify what you've learned with an exemple! Are you ready? So come on!
- What is SIPOC?
- How to make the SIPOC?
- SIPOC example
- Other tools of DMAIC definition step
What is SIPOC?
SIPOC is a diagram that aims to define the main process involved in the project in a macro way, and consequently, facilitate the visualization of the work scope.
Usually used in the define step of Six Sigma methodology, the first step of DMAIC, the SIPOC diagram is a simple and objective mapping of what will be attacked on a project.
In this first moment, it is important to have a general vision of activities that will be involved in the improvement of Six Sigma processes, since the details just must be inserted in the next step (measure).
In this way, SIPOC is a tool used to elaborate a more assertive scope and a better planning of the project.
This tool is similar to Processes Map and the Input/Outside Matrix, but is less detailed and has its own fixed structure.
Each letter of SIPOC means one process information. So we can specify each function in this way:
- Suppliers: those that provide the necessary resources.
- Inputs: resources/information that affect the process, that is, performance of the activity.
- Process: main activities of that process.
- Outputs: delivers/results of each step of the process.
Clients: who receive the output of each step of the process.
Lean Six Sigma is a methodology that seeks to increase the profitability of companies through the improvement of their processes.
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How to make the SIPOC?
The SIPOC idea is always to start for the central column (P) and fill the other four letters later (from the left to the right and top to bottom), like the structure below:
So, between the dotted lines of the SIPOC structure is where you should define the process steps, ok? Only then will it be the time to fill the suppliers, clients, inputs and outputs. Let’s see an example?
SIPOC example
TechTudo is a company of printers manufacturing that is leading a Green Belt Lean Six Sigma project to optimize the payment process to suppliers on accounts payable area.
Currently, the invoices paid percent overdue above 15 days is 75%. The first step of the Green Belt, project leader, was to elaborate a SIPOC to better understand the problem's cause process and the project scope.
To elaborate the SIPOC, it’s important to go in person to the process (Gemba), watch the operation closely and talk to those involved.
With this, we were able to prepare the process activities. This can be made in a simple way, ok? Think always in which activity starts the process and which ends. This makes it easier!
Filling in the other characters, we obtain the finalized SIPOC:
Other tools of DMAIC definition step
Besides the SIPOC, there are other tools that can be used in the definition step of a Six Sigma project, in which what is expected from the methodology implementation is defined.
So, we can use some methods to establish the problem historic and define clearly the involved processes, like:
- Reasoning Map: is the document that records the rationale for conduction of the Lean Six Sigma project.
- Customer Voice (definition of CTQs): tool that describes the needs of internal or external customers about the product/service delivered.
- Project Charter: document that formalizes the Lean Six Sigma project and establishes an agreement between the team that executes it - the Belt and the company managers.
If you want to know not only about the definition step tools, but which ones can be used in every step of the DMAIC cycle, and how to implement it from start to finish, my personal recommendation is to read the article:
The performance evaluation can be defined as the identification and measurement of the actions that the employees of an organization carry out during a certain period. The performance evaluation aims to diagnose and analyze the individual and group performance of employees, promoting personal and professional growth as well as better performance. In addition, it provides human resource management with information for making decisions about salaries, bonuses, promotions, layoffs, training and career planning, providing the growth and development of the person being evaluated.
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