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Before you map where you are going with your Lean process, you can take a look at where you are with your current process by creating a SIPOC diagram and a Lean value stream map or a process map. On the File menu, point to New, choose SIPOC Diagram from the Lean Six Sigma Tools category, and click Create.
A SIPOC diagram helps you look at your process from a high level by capturing these elements:
Suppliers–Individuals or groups who supply the product or service that is further developed in the process.
Inputs/Requirements–Any information or material used to develop the product.
Process–What you do to create the product.
Outputs/Requirements–The end product or service delivered to the customer.
Customers–External customers.
A value stream map or a process map provides a more detailed look at processes and illustrates where improvements to processes can be implemented.
Review Current-State Process Using Value Stream Mapping
Create a map of process flow and assign Lean data to the flow to easily identify problem areas in the process and resolve them when you create a future-state map.
For more information, see Create a Lean Value Stream Map.
You can export value stream map data to an Excel spreadsheet for comparison and analysis. For information, see Lean Data Import and Export.
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