Diagram the steps of a process using rows for each person or team involved
Use the process flowchart template to clearly visualize all the steps involved in getting from A to B. Define a step-by-step process, clarify roles and responsibilities, and create a simple flowchart that visualizes a process.
A process flowchart is a visual representation of a workflow that illustrates the sequence of steps, decisions, and interactions involved in completing a task or achieving a specific outcome.
Process diagrams should provide a clear, step-by-step visual guide to understand the flow of information, materials, and actions within a process, allowing teams to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement.
Improve the clarity and understanding of a process
Foster collaboration and communication among distributed team members
Embrace continuous improvement by optimizing processes and workflows
Reduce errors and mistakes by visually mapping out the steps of a process
Using the template as a starting point, identify the process you want to map and invite collaborators to help add in extra details and important information.
To get started, clearly define the process you want to map and its boundaries. Determining the scope of the process will help you define a clear starting point and natural conclusion.
Use the corresponding flowchart shapes to add the process.
Include the process beginning and end, key actions, necessary decisions, delays, and any documents or resources that are relevant to the process.
Arrange the flowchart elements logically, ensuring a clear sequence of steps.
Flowcharts don’t often happen in a vacuum. If your process has multiple collaborators, add each one to a column and map out how their responsibilities affect the process steps.
Seek feedback from team members and refine the flowchart until it accurately represents the process.
Once finalized, share the flowchart with stakeholders and implement any process improvements identified.
Keep it simple and clear: Try to avoid any unnecessary complexity, use simple language and make sure you select the right symbols for each element of the flowchart so that team members can understand and follow the process.
Add context and descriptions: Add brief descriptions or annotations for complex steps or decision points to provide additional context to readers. Consider using the swimlanes in the chart template or add callouts to indicate responsibilities or additional information related to specific parts of the process.
Involve relevant stakeholders: Be sure to collaborate with subject matter experts and team members who are directly involved in the process. Gathering insights from various perspectives ensures the flowchart accurately represents the real workflow.
Various types of flowcharts cater to different process visualization needs. The five main types of flowcharts are:
Basic Flowchart: Standard flowchart used to represent a sequential process. This could be a simple workflow diagram, a basic org chart to map out an organizational structure, or a more complex process like a customer journey.
Swimlane Diagram: Organizes steps into separate lanes, often used to illustrate responsibilities in a process. This may look like a hiring process flowchart, where multiple team members may be involved at different stages of the recruitment process.
Value Stream Map: Focuses on visualizing the flow of materials and information to identify waste and opportunities for improvement.
Data Flow Diagram: Illustrates the flow of data between different system components.
Deployment Flowchart: Shows the steps involved in deploying a system or software.
Flowcharts use standardized symbols to represent different elements of a process:
Oval: Represents the starting and ending points of a process.
Rectangle: Signifies individual process steps.
Diamond: Indicates decision points with yes/no or true/false outcomes.
Parallelogram: Depicts input or output statements.
Arrow: Represents the flow direction of the process.
A process flowchart is a visual representation of a workflow that illustrates the sequence of steps, decisions, and interactions involved in completing a task or achieving a specific outcome.
Often used in project management, process flowchart diagrams should provide a clear, step-by-step visual guide to understand the flow of information, materials, and actions within a process, allowing teams to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement.
For example, a human resources (HR) professional can leverage a process flowchart to outline the recruiting and onboarding process for new employees, streamlining and visualizing the steps involved.
By creating a process flowchart for the recruiting and onboarding process, the HR professional can gain a comprehensive view of the entire workflow. This visual representation facilitates communication and collaboration with other team members, ensures consistency in the process, and allows for easy identification of potential bottlenecks or areas for improvement.
A well-crafted process flow diagram should be:
Clear and concise: Avoid clutter and use straightforward language and symbols.
Easy to follow: Ensure the flowchart follows a logical sequence and is easy to navigate.
Detailed: Include sufficient information without overwhelming the reader.
Updated regularly: Keep the flowchart up-to-date as the process evolves.
Collaborative: Involve all stakeholders in its creation to ensure accuracy and buy-in.
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