How to Understand Flow Charts

Flow charts are used for a number of different reasons. They show all the possible outcomes of a situation. They are popular for use in a business meeting to compare different choices a company could make and what the end results of those choices may be. They also can be used in the classroom to teach children about making decisions. Here's how to read and follow a flow chart.

Instructions

1. Find the start of the flow chart. It may be labeled "Start," or it may have a question or statement. It will be at the top of the flow chart and usually describes what the flow chart will show you.

2. Follow the line down from this first box or bubble to the next one. The flow chart goes through a set of steps in a logical order to show you what the different outcomes of certain choices will be.

3. When you reach a bubble that has two or more lines going out from it, you'll have to make a decision. The bubble will ask you a question, and each line will be labeled with an answer. The answers can be as simple as "Yes" and "No."

4. Choose the answer you want to follow and follow the line with your answer written on it. The next bubble will ask you a new question, or will tell you what the outcome will be based on your answer.

5. Follow the rest of the chart like this. You may have to make choices, or it could be a chart that doesn't ask questions, but shows only possible outcomes. The ending bubble can be different depending on which path you follow through the chart.

6. Learn to recognize symbols in a flow chart. While it isn't required to use these symbols, an oval or a circle usually marks the start of the chart, rectangles contain information, and diamond shapes are used when asking the reader to make a decision.

References

• Flow Charts

Resources

• Learn How to Make a Flow Chart in Excel