How to Create Process Flowcharts

Flowcharts illustrate processes.

Flowcharts are graphical representations of how processes should proceed. Use a flowchart to explain a process, identify areas for improvement, to understand a process and to document it. Each symbol in a process flowchart signifies an activity, next step, decision or other step in a process.

Instructions

1. Determine the process that will be the subject of the flowchart and determine how in-depth the flowchart will be. For example, a customer order flowchart created for customer service will not be as broad as one created for the entire company. The flowchart created for the entire company will include other departments and possibly vendors, whereas one for customer service will include only those steps pertinent to the customer service department.

2. Brainstorm the process from start to finish. Ask questions such as, "What is really the next step and what decisions need to be made at which stages?" List each step in the process while brainstorming.

3. Draw a circle to signify the start point in the process. In flowcharts, a circle represents the start and end of a process.

4. Draw an arrow to lead to the next step in the process. If a decision must be made at the next step, draw a diamond to represent the decision point then write the question in the diamond. For each decision option, draw a line from the diamond to the next step in the process. If a decision does not occur, draw a square to signify the activity that occurs at that step.

5. Continue to draw the appropriate shapes to signify each step in the process. At the conclusion of the process, draw a circle.

Tips & Warnings

• To check the validity of the process flowchart, have someone unfamiliar with the process complete it using the flowchart. Be prepared to make revisions to the flow chart to clarify any misunderstandings.

References

• Mindtools: Flow charts
• Quality Tools: Flowchart: How to do it
• ASQ: Process Analysis Tools