Dashboard

Manage your SIPOC diagrams

Sort by:
SIPOC Mode Saved

Templates

Start from a pre-built industry template

Workspaces

Switch between client libraries — one active at a time

Help & Guide

Learn about SIPOC & COPIS methodology and how to use this tool

What is SIPOC / COPIS?

SIPOC (Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, Customers) and COPIS (Customers, Outputs, Process, Inputs, Suppliers) are high-level process mapping tools used in Six Sigma and Lean methodologies. SIPOC reads supply-forward; COPIS reads demand-backward, starting from the customer. Both provide a structured view by identifying the same five key elements.

In Ridgecrest, we use railroad terminology: the five SIPOC categories (S, I, P, O, C) are called Tracks. The individual entries you add within each Track — your suppliers, inputs, process steps, outputs, and customers — are called Ties, just like the crossbeams that hold railroad tracks together. The Rail is the Through-Key (SM-YYYY-NNNN) that connects a diagram across all its downstream views. Use the Switch to flip between SIPOC and COPIS perspectives.

SuppliersThe people, departments, or organizations that provide inputs to the process
InputsThe materials, resources, data, or information needed to execute the process
ProcessThe high-level steps that transform inputs into outputs (typically 5-7 steps)
OutputsThe products, services, data, or results produced by the process
CustomersThe people, departments, or organizations that receive the outputs

When to Use SIPOC or COPIS

  • SIPOC (supply-forward): At the beginning of a process improvement project, during DMAIC Define phase
  • COPIS (demand-backward): When customer focus is paramount — Lean, service design, customer journey mapping
  • When defining the scope of a process
  • To align team understanding of a process
  • When onboarding new team members to a process

How to Create a Diagram

Use the Switch in the dashboard header to toggle between SIPOC and COPIS modes. The same data is displayed in both — only the Track order changes.

  1. Start with Process (P): Identify 5-7 high-level process steps
  2. Identify Outputs (O): What does the process produce?
  3. Identify Customers (C): Who receives these outputs?
  4. Identify Inputs (I): What is needed to run the process?
  5. Identify Suppliers (S): Who provides these inputs?

Keyboard Shortcuts

Ctrl+SSave diagram
Ctrl+ZUndo
Ctrl+YRedo
Ctrl+PPrint diagram

Tips

  • Keep process steps at a high level — SIPOC is not a detailed flowchart
  • One supplier can provide multiple inputs
  • Use drag-and-drop to reorder Ties within each Track
  • Auto-save runs every 30 seconds, but you can always save manually
  • Use templates to quickly start common industry diagrams
  • Switch between horizontal and vertical orientations for different presentation needs

Ridgecrest is a product of Strategic Alignment Technologies, LLC (STAT LLC). Patent Pending. U.S. Provisional Application No. 64/008,717.