Flow Charting
What is a Flowchart?
A flowchart is a planning and analysis tool. It is
a graphic of the steps in a work process.
When should a flowchart be used?
A flowchart should be used when a team needs to do
one or more of the following...
-
See how a whole process works
-
Identify the critical points, bottlenecks, or problem
areas in a process
-
See how the different steps in the process are related
-
Identify the "ideal" flow of a process from
start to finish
-
Design a new work process
How should a flowchart be constructed?
Follow these basic steps in completing a flow chart...
-
Agree on the work process needing the flowchart.
-
Agree on the beginning and ending point of the work process.
This helps to keep the team focused.
-
Brainstorm the major steps in the work process. Do not
worry about the sequence at this point.
-
Put the major steps in the proper sequence. As this is
done, the team may begin to add minor points.
After all steps have been identified and sequenced,
-
Assign the appropriate symbols to each step. (See below)
-
Connect the steps with arrows to show the flow of the process.
-
Test the flowchart to make sure all the necessary steps
have been included.
-
Finalize the flowchart.
Flowchart Symbols
Symbol
|
Represents
|
Example
|
 |
Start/Stop
|
- Receive complaint
- Receive request
- Proposal
|
 |
Decision Point
|
- Yes/No
- Agree/Disagree
- Pass/Fail
|
 |
Activity
|
- Hold a meeting
- Make a phone call
- Send a request
|
 |
Document
|
- Report is completed
- Meeting minutes
- Form is filled out
|
 |
Connector
|
- Go to another page or
- another part of the
- flowchart.
|
 |
Delay
|
- Waiting for a service
- Report sitting on a desk
|
Flowchart Example:
Three types of flowcharts:
A process flowchart is the
most familiar type. The process flowchart moves through the process
from start to finish. It is most useful when analyzing a specific
function or activity where there is no need to identify customers
and/or suppliers.
A deployment flowchart is
useful when analyzing a process that involves more than one department
or several individuals.
When a process calls for a deployment flowchart, it
may first be helpful to construct a process flowchart with only
the major steps and then modify it by assigning the appropriate
departments or individuals to each step.
The top-down flowchart starts
with the major steps drawn horizontally. The detail is provided
in numbered subtasks under each major task. The top-down flowchart
does not show decision points reworks and so on and therefore is
not as detail as the process or deployment flowchart.
|
