1. Process Mapping - SIPOC
Six Sigma Foundations
Continuous Improvement Process
Six Sigma Simplicity
Continuous Improvement - SIPOC Process Mapping

2. Key Learning Point
Process mapping is the graphic display of steps, events and operations that constitute a process
Start process Mapping with SIPOC
It will help you quickly identify
Project Scope
Potential key inputs (X’s)
Team members
Process steps to focus on
Continuous Improvement - SIPOC Process Mapping

3. Definition of a process
A process is a collection of activities that takes one or more kinds of inputs and creates output that is of value to the customer
Continuous Improvement - SIPOC Process Mapping

4. Definition of a customer and supplier
A customer is the person /organization/ department that receive AND values the output of a process
A supplier is the person /organization/ department who creates/supplies the process inputs
Continuous Improvement - SIPOC Process Mapping

5. High Level Process mapping - SIPOC
Suppliers
Inputs
Process
Outputs
Customers
Continuous Improvement - SIPOC Process Mapping

6. SIPOC – steps that start the process
This is a team decision.
The start of a process is never fixed. example – when does the process of buying a car start?
When your car breaks down
When you see an advertisement
When you enter a show room
When your existing rental ends
When you talk to the salesperson
When you can afford one….
Continuous Improvement - SIPOC Process Mapping

7. SIPOC – key intermediary steps
Do not be tempted to record every single alternative route that the process has ever taken.
Steps should be combined if a process branches
Steps should be combined to reduce the total number until you have between 5-7 steps
Example
1) Receive castings
1a) Proof machine casting
2) Inspect
2a) If poor create NCR and rework
2b) If rework fails scrap
3) Place in Stores
4) Heavy cut
5) Final cut
could be reduced to
2) Machine castings
Continuous Improvement - SIPOC Process Mapping

8. SIPOC – key inputs and outputs
An input or output is an object / decision / piece of information
Key outputs are what the customer(s) value most
Key inputs are those without which the process cannot operate
Continuous Improvement - SIPOC Process Mapping

9. SIPOC – how to create Draw SIPOC table on flip chart
Write at the bottom of the output column your primary metric
Write at the bottom of the process column the name of the step that ends the process
Write at the top of the process column the name of the step that starts the process
In between, write down the name of 3-5 key intermediary steps in the process column. Space them equally between the top and bottom
Start at the top of the table
For each process step write the key outputs, key inputs, key suppliers and key customers in the corresponding columns at the same height as the process step name
Continuous Improvement - SIPOC Process Mapping

10. High Level Process Mapping – Example SIPOC
Suppliers
Inputs
Process
Outputs
Customers
Sales
Signed Order
Get order
Standard order form, credit check
Applications, Finance
Applications
Order form
Enter order
Order no
Engineering
Standard BOM
Buy materials
Sub –orders
MRP
parts., schedule
Receive materials
NCR
QA, Purchasing
Manufacturing
Schedule, manpower
Assemble
Witnessed Test cert
QA, Finance
Finance
invoice
Dispatch
Parts list
End user, contractor
Contractor
Check
Collect Payment
Bank balance
Shareholders
Continuous Improvement - SIPOC Process Mapping

11. Exercise - SIPOC For your project, identify SIPOC.
Suppliers
Inputs
Process
Outputs
Customers
For your project, identify SIPOC.
Later confirm this understanding with your champion, process owner, and team.
Once the SIPOC is complete you can use the following checks;
Is the primary metric one of the outputs – if not you may have mapped the wrong process
Compare the Suppliers with the Charter team – do you have the right people to control the key inputs?
Compare the Customers with the Charter team how can you involve them in the project?
Can you establish Y for each process step. E.g. if cycle times how long does each process step take, If defects how many defects occur in each step. If cost how much cost is allocated to each step.
Continuous Improvement - SIPOC Process Mapping

12. Process Mapping - SIPOC
Six Sigma Foundations
Continuous Improvement Process
Continuous Improvement - SIPOC Process Mapping