Here are three SIPOC diagram templates you can use and customize as you’d like.
Powerpoint Template
This first template is made in Microsoft Powerpoint and includes header information at the top (process or function name, date, scope, and notes) that can be customized as needed (download the template).
Word Template
This next template is made with Microsoft Word and keeps the S-I-P-O-C information in a grid format. By adjusting the font size, the document can be optimized for readability. The header information carries over to each page, so this format easily accommodates a multi-page SIPOC document (download template).
Excel Template
This last template is made in Microsoft Excel, and includes space for a larger number of rows (download the template).
Guidelines
- Always start by defining the start and end points in the process column – these boundaries are important as the team defines the processes that are included between these start and end points.
- Next, document the process steps themselves. There are no firm guidelines for doing this, but four to seven process steps seem to work well in most situations. If the team is coming up with too many process steps, they should consider creating more high-level process steps and then creating lower level SIPOCs to define each of the high-level processes.
- After completing the process steps, proceed from the center of the document to the right, adding process Outputs and then Customers. Then work from center to left, adding the Inputs and Suppliers of those inputs.