A SIPOC is a high level process map. The letters stand for:
- S: Supplier
- I: Input
- P: Process
- O: Output
- C: Customer
The ideas about the scope of a process or project can vary with each team and each person. Making a SIPOC together helps to get everyone on the same page about the start en end of the process you are trying to improve. It is most often used during the Define phase of DMAIC.

How to make a SIPOC?
There are several ways to do map a SIPOC:
- Supplier-Input-Process-Output-Customer
- Input-Supplier-Process-Output-Customer
- Customer-Output-Process-Input--Supplier
Which order you use will depend on the situation you are in. If people have lost sight of their customers you may want to start with the customer. If the process is not performing well you may want to start with the suppliers. If inputs are lacking in quality or quantity or people lack insight in the total supply chain it is probably a good idea to start with the Inputs.
No matter which order you choose the questions for each step and approach for each step will be the same.

When is your SIPOC done?
Your SIPOC serves a certain purpose, usually to define the scope of your project. The SIPOC is done when the scope of your project is clear and your major stakeholders agree with the scope and with the contents of the SIPOC. Your SIPOC has given you a great starting point for your improvement efforts. While you are making the SIPOC you will already have gathered a lot of valueable information about what to improve. You can take these along on your improvement journey. As with all lean and six sigma tools, making a SIPOC is not a solitary affair. Be sure to include your stakeholders.
Be aware that a high level process still needs to be meaningful and clearly defined. You can capture an entire company in seven process steps if you want to, but then you will have an immense scope to your project. When you look at the process steps in your SIPOC in more detail you will always find surprises. The number and impact of surprises increase when your scope increases. So choose wisely and be smart about your scope.