SIPOC
SIPOC stands for Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, Customers. It's a high-level process-mapping tool used at the start of an improvement project to scope the process before mapping it in detail. The output is a single table with five columns and one row per major step.
Turn a SIPOC into a detailed process map
Expand your SIPOC's Process column into a spreadsheet. ProcessMapping.app renders the swimlane diagram as you type. Free, no signup.
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A SIPOC is a one-page summary of a process. Each column captures a different perspective:
- Suppliers — who provides the inputs to this process.
- Inputs — what the process needs to start (data, materials, requests).
- Process — the major steps, usually 4–7 of them.
- Outputs — what the process produces.
- Customers — who consumes the outputs.
When to use SIPOC
SIPOC is a scoping tool, not a detailed process map. Reach for it when:
- Starting an improvement project — SIPOC sets the scope before the team dives into details.
- Aligning stakeholders — leadership can read a SIPOC in two minutes; a detailed swimlane diagram takes longer.
- Identifying handoffs and dependencies at a glance.
- Onboarding new team members to the process at a high level.
SIPOC vs. detailed process map
Think of SIPOC as the cover sheet and a swimlane process map as the chapter inside.
- SIPOC = 5 columns, 4–7 rows, one page. Answers "what is this process?"
- Swimlane process map = full diagram with steps, decisions, swimlanes, handoffs. Answers "how does it actually run?"
Using both together
Most improvement projects produce both: a SIPOC at the start to align the team on scope, and a swimlane process map of the as-is process before designing the to-be. The SIPOC's Process column maps directly to the major sections of the swimlane diagram.
Building a SIPOC and then a process map
Once you've captured a SIPOC, the next step is usually to expand the Process column into a full swimlane diagram. ProcessMapping.app turns the spreadsheet expansion of that column directly into the diagram — each row in the spreadsheet becomes one step on the swimlane map.
Frequently asked questions
What does SIPOC stand for?
Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, Customers. The five columns of a SIPOC table capture the high-level boundary and flow of a business process.
When should I use a SIPOC?
At the start of a process-improvement project to align stakeholders on scope before mapping the process in detail. SIPOC answers "what is this process?"; a swimlane diagram answers "how does it run?"
How is SIPOC different from a process map?
SIPOC is a one-page table summarizing the boundary of a process. A process map is the detailed diagram showing every step, decision, and handoff inside it.
How many rows should a SIPOC have?
Typically 4–7 process steps. Fewer makes the SIPOC too vague; more turns it into a process map and defeats the purpose.
Is SIPOC part of Lean Six Sigma?
Yes. SIPOC is a standard Define-phase tool in DMAIC and is used at the start of nearly every Lean Six Sigma improvement project.
How do I move from a SIPOC to a detailed process map?
Expand the Process column into a spreadsheet — one row per detailed step — and let ProcessMapping.app render the swimlane diagram in real time.
Ready to map your first process?
The editor opens with a starter template. Edit the spreadsheet to define your process — the diagram updates as you type. No signup required to get started.
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