What is a SIPOC diagram? 7 steps to map and understand business processes.
By MacNeil, C.
MacNeil, C. (2025, February 23). What is a SIPOC diagram? 7 steps to map and understand business processes. Asana. https://asana.com/resources/sipoc-diagram
This article explains the SIPOC diagram, a visual tool used to document business processes from beginning to end. SIPOC stands for Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, and Customers. MacNeil provides a detailed seven-step guide for creating these diagrams, which help teams define the scope of a project and identify key stakeholders early in the improvement cycle. The article emphasizes that SIPOC is a high-level map, meaning it focuses on the "what" rather than the granular "how" of a process. Key takeaways include the diagram’s ability to align team members on project boundaries, its critical role in the "Define" phase of the DMAIC framework, and its utility in identifying potential areas for improvement or waste. By simplifying complex workflows into a single visual, SIPOC ensures that everyone involved has a clear, shared understanding of the value chain and the requirements for success.