How to Draw Flow Diagrams

This is an example of a flow diagram.

Flow diagrams are business tools, used mainly for presentations or training. Flow diagrams are used to provide a visual learning aide for the audience. They also add interest with colors and relevant and clear-cut information. Flow diagrams show a step-by-step process when used for conveying troubleshooting walkthroughs, situational event progression and chain of command procedures. Flow charts can be designed for almost any situation where there is a clear path of information to follow.

Things You'll Need

• Poster board
• Pencils
• Markers
• Ruler
• Computer with word processing (optional)
• White multipurpose copy paper
• Notebook paper

Instructions

1. Write down in your notebook what information you will provide on your diagram. Choose the most pertinent information and simplify it into about two or three sentences for each step.

2. Use your ruler to draw squares or rectangles on plain white copy paper. Color each square with markers. Use one color for each rank in the flow diagram; ranks would be considered steps, except your flow diagram may have, for example, three options for step two. In this case color all of those three options the same color.

3. Type your sentences out using your computer. Print out what you've typed and glue each step to a square. If you don't have a computer or typewriter, you can write the sentences very neatly, directly on your squares.

4. Arrange your squares on your poster board far enough apart to draw between them, and glue them in place. Draw arrows following the steps with a black marker. If there are steps that have more than one option, write above them to explain how to choose an option. A question could be helpful, if you write a possible answer above its corresponding choice.

References

• Flow Diagrams Today
• How to Create a Process Flow Diagram
• Process Flow Diagram