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A flowchart illustrates the steps in a process. By visualizing the process, a flowchart can quicklyhelp identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies where the process can be streamlined or improved.

Basic FlowchartA basic flowchart identifies the starting and ending points of a process, the sequence of actions inthe process, and the decision or branching points along the way.

Flowcharts use special shapes to represent different types of actions or steps in a process. Lines and arrowsshow the sequence of the steps, and the relationships among them.

Start/EndThe terminator symbol marks the starting or ending point ofthe system. It usually contains the word "Start" or "End."

Action or ProcessA box can represent a single step ("add two cups of flour"),or and entire sub-process ("make bread") within a largerprocess.

Document

A printed document or report.

DecisionA decision or branching point. Lines representing differentdecisions emerge from different points of the diamond.

Input/OutputRepresents material or information entering or leaving thesystem, such as customer order (input) or a product(output).

ConnectorIndicates that the flow continues where a matching symbol(containing the same letter) has been placed.

Flow LineLines indicate the sequence of steps and the direction offlow.

DelayIndicates a delay in the process.

MergeIndicates a step where two or more sub-lists or sub-processes become one.

Collate

Indicates a step that orders information into a standardformat.

SortIndicates a step that organizes a list of items into asequence or sets based on some pre-determined criteria.

SubroutineIndicates a sequence of actions that perform a specific taskembedded within a larger process. This sequence of actions

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could be described in more detail on a separate flowchart.

Manual LoopIndicates a sequence of commands that will continue torepeat until stopped manually.

Loop Limit

Indicates the point at which a loop should stop.

Data storageIndicates a step where data gets stored.

DatabaseIndicates a list of information with a standard structure thatallows for searching and sorting.

DisplayIndicates a step that displays information.

Off Page

Indicates that the process continues off page.

Basic FlowchartA basic flowchart identifies the starting and ending points of a process, the sequence of actions in the processand the decision or branching points along the way.

7 Tips for Effective Flowcharts

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1) Label each flowchart with a title identifying the process that itillustrates. (For example: "Order Entry Process").

2) Clearly indicate the starting and ending points of the process, uthe standard terminator symbols.

3) Keep the direction of flow consistent. Avoid confusion by keepinyour flow lines moving from top to bottom and left to right. Don'treverse the direction in the chart unless the flow reverses itself inreality.

4) Break the steps down to a consistent level of detail. Don't include trivial sub-steps of one task while treatinganother equivalent task as a whole. If one step or task needs to be analyzed in detail, make a separate chartillustrating that sub-process.

5) Avoid crossing flow lines. In a well-designed chart, flow lines will not cross each other. By rearranging a chayou can usually get rid of crossed lines. If two lines must cross, use a "bridge" (also known as a "line hop") toshow that the lines do not intersect.

6) Make sure there are at least two outcomes from every decision diamond.

7) Label your flowchart components. Use active verbs to label activity steps and questions to label decisions.Clearly label the outcomes from a decision diamond in terms that answer the question.

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