assignment box in flowchart

• Demo Videos
• Interactive Product Tours
• Request Demo

Flowchart Tutorial (with Symbols, Guide and Examples)

A flowchart is simply a graphical representation of steps. It shows steps in sequential order and is widely used in presenting the flow of algorithms, workflow or processes. Typically, a flowchart shows the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting them with arrows.

What is a Flowchart?

A flowchart is a graphical representations of steps. It was originated from computer science as a tool for representing algorithms and programming logic but had extended to use in all other kinds of processes. Nowadays, flowcharts play an extremely important role in displaying information and assisting reasoning. They help us visualize complex processes, or make explicit the structure of problems and tasks. A flowchart can also be used to define a process or project to be implemented.

Flowchart Symbols

Different flowchart shapes have different conventional meanings. The meanings of some of the more common shapes are as follows:

The terminator symbol represents the starting or ending point of the system.

A box indicates some particular operation.

This represents a printout, such as a document or a report.

A diamond represents a decision or branching point. Lines coming out from the diamond indicates different possible situations, leading to different sub-processes.

It represents information entering or leaving the system. An input might be an order from a customer. Output can be a product to be delivered.

On-Page Reference

This symbol would contain a letter inside. It indicates that the flow continues on a matching symbol containing the same letter somewhere else on the same page.

Off-Page Reference

This symbol would contain a letter inside. It indicates that the flow continues on a matching symbol containing the same letter somewhere else on a different page.

Delay or Bottleneck

Identifies a delay or a bottleneck.

Lines represent the flow of the sequence and direction of a process.

When to Draw Flowchart?

Using a flowchart has a variety of benefits:

• It helps to clarify complex processes.
• It identifies steps that do not add value to the internal or external customer, including delays; needless storage and transportation; unnecessary work, duplication, and added expense; breakdowns in communication.
• It helps team members gain a shared understanding of the process and use this knowledge to collect data, identify problems, focus discussions, and identify resources.
• It serves as a basis for designing new processes.

Flowchart examples

Here are several flowchart examples. See how you can apply a flowchart practically.

Flowchart Example – Medical Service

This is a hospital flowchart example that shows how clinical cases shall be processed. This flowchart uses decision shapes intensively in representing alternative flows.

Flowchart Example – Simple Algorithms

A flowchart can also be used in visualizing algorithms, regardless of its complexity. Here is an example that shows how flowchart can be used in showing a simple summation process.

Flowchart Example – Calculate Profit and Loss

The flowchart example below shows how profit and loss can be calculated.

Creating a Flowchart in Visual Paradigm

Let’s see how to draw a flowchart in Visual Paradigm. We will use a very simple flowchart example here. You may expand the example when finished this tutorial.

• Select Diagram > New from the main menu.

• Enter the name of the flowchart and click OK .

• Enter Add items to Cart as the name of the process.

Turn every software project into a successful one.

We use cookies to offer you a better experience. By visiting our website, you agree to the use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy .

© 2024 by Visual Paradigm. All rights reserved.

• Privacy statement

We use essential cookies to make Venngage work. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Manage Cookies

Cookies and similar technologies collect certain information about how you’re using our website. Some of them are essential, and without them you wouldn’t be able to use Venngage. But others are optional, and you get to choose whether we use them or not.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are always on, as they’re essential for making Venngage work, and making it safe. Without these cookies, services you’ve asked for can’t be provided.

Show cookie providers

• Google Login

Functionality Cookies

These cookies help us provide enhanced functionality and personalisation, and remember your settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers.

Performance Cookies

These cookies help us analyze how many people are using Venngage, where they come from and how they're using it. If you opt out of these cookies, we can’t get feedback to make Venngage better for you and all our users.

• Google Analytics

Targeting Cookies

These cookies are set by our advertising partners to track your activity and show you relevant Venngage ads on other sites as you browse the internet.

• Google Tag Manager
• Infographics
• Daily Infographics
• Popular Templates
• Accessibility
• Graphic Design
• Graphs and Charts
• Data Visualization
• Human Resources
• Beginner Guides

Blog Graphs and Charts Flowchart Symbols and Meaning: A Complete Guide (2024)

Flowchart Symbols and Meaning: A Complete Guide (2024)

Written by: Danesh Ramuthi Feb 29, 2024

Flowchart symbols are used to show the steps, order and choices in a process. Together, they form a universal language that makes process analysis easy.

I’m sure you’ve seen flowcharts before with various shapes, lines and arrows to depict stages within a process like where it begins or ends.

Understanding what these symbols mean enhances communication, facilitates problem-solving and ultimately guides process improvement.

In this post, I’ll review flowchart symbols and their meaning. By the way, when creating a flowchart, I suggest using a Flowchart Maker or editing flowchart templates that let you add, remove, and edit these shapes and symbols.

Click to jump ahead:

• What shapes are most frequently used in a flowchart?

List of flowchart symbols and their meanings

What shapes are most frequently used in a flowchart .

One reason why flowcharts are so popular is because they use standardized shapes that almost anyone can instantly recognize.

Here are the five most common shapes used in a flowchart.

• Oval (Terminal symbol)
• Rectangle (Process symbol)
• Arrow (Arrow Symbol)
• Diamond (Decision symbol)
• Parallelogram (Input/Output symbol) 

You can see most of these shapes in the following flowchart examples:

Related: Learn how to create a flowchart .

Every shape found in a flowchart has a use case (it’s not just a design preference!)

In this section, I’ll first name the shape, show it to you, and then describe its function.

1. Oval/Pill (Terminal symbol)

The oval shape, also known as the terminal symbol, is as an elongated circle or an ellipse. 

Its function is to provide a visual reference of the start or end of a flowchart.

To make sure readers understand the start and endpoint correctly, you should verbally communicate “Start” and “End”.

2. Rectangle (Process symbol)

A rectangle is used to highlight each specific task or action within a process.

Also known as the process symbol, the rectangle is fundamental to mapping out the sequence of actions or operations that take place from the start to the end of a process.

By placing tasks within a rectangle, flowcharts make it easy to understand, follow, and analyze individual tasks that contribute to the overall workflow.

3. Diamond (Decision symbol)

A diamond or a rhombus highlights a decision point in a flowchart and hence is also known as the decision symbol.

Diamonds are usually present when there is a conditional statement such as a “Yes” or “No” or “True” or “False” question.

As a result, two or more paths always branch out from this symbol. 

Here’s a great example:

4. Parallelogram (Input/output symbol)

A parallelogram in flowchart represents both input and output processes within a system.

This means it marks the point in a process where a user has to enter data into a system, such as an online shopper entering their name, address, and payment details, into the system.

But the parallelogram can also also refer to a point when system generates data such as an order confirmation number from the example above.

Therefore, it’s good practice to indicate whether the process is an input or an output using labels or arrows.

An arrow usually connects two rectangles, parallelograms or diamond symbols to highlight a sequence flow between the two.

The sole purpose of arrows is to provide visual direction to your flowchart.

6. On-page connector symbol

The on-page connector symbol in a flowchart is a fancy way of referencing a circle.

This shape connects two or more separate paths within a flowchart without the need for long, intersecting lines that can make the flowchart difficult to follow.

Think of the circle as a connecting bridge.

7. Off-page connector symbol

The off-page connector is a five-pointed polygon.

They’re usually seen complex multi-page flowcharts to indicate that the process continues on a different page.

The off-page connector is typically accompanied by a reference point, such as a page number, section identifier, or a unique code to guide the reader to the exact location where the process continues.

8. Document symbol

The document symbol looks like a rectangle with a wavy line below it.

Its design is intended to resemble a piece of paper which is also a hint of its function to indicate a point in the workflow where documentation is integral to the process.

The document symbol is particularly useful for administrative procedures, quality assurance protocols, or any process where record-keeping and documentation is key.

9. Multiple documents symbol

The multiple documents symbol looks like a stack of papers which again hint to its purpose.

This symbol indicates that a step requires the handling, review, or generation of a collection of documents instead of just one.

It’s particularly useful in representing steps that require compiling of reports or processing of multiple forms.

10. Preparation symbol

The preparation symbol is a six point polygon shape (some also refer to it as a rectangle with pointy bits).

The symbol is used to indicate a step where you need to gather resources or engage in specific tasks to ensure a smooth transition into a workflow.

The preparation symbol alerts users to the fact that certain conditions must be met before they can move forward.

11. Manual operation symbol

The trapezoid, which has a longer top side, is used denote a non-automated process that requires manual intervention or handling.

The trapezoid can help identify where human resources are needed and/or and where bottlenecks can occur due to manual operation. 

12. Summoning junction symbol

A circle divided into four slices, known as the summoning junction symbol, references a point in the flowchart where multiple branches converge into a single process. 

You’ll see this symbol used in complex workflows where different sequences lead to a common action point.

The junction point can be used to indicate that a common path will follow regardless of the preceding steps before it.

13. Merge symbol

The merge symbol is represented by a triangle and is used to combine two or more lists into a single flow.

The merge symbol is a way to communicate the coming together of multiple inputs or sequences.

The pointed end of the triangle faces the direction of the flow, so it’s a way to visualize where a merge happens and the unified process that follows.

14. Collate symbol

The collate symbol is represented by an hourglass shape and indicates the gathering, arranging, or organizing of items in a specific order or sequence.

This symbol is useful in processes where information needs to be organized before it can be processed or analyzed.

15. Sort symbol

A sort symbol is represented by two isosceles triangles joined together on the longest side.

This symbol is useful in processes where data or items need to be classified and ordered in a way that facilitates further actions or decisions.

For example, it could be used to represent the sorting of customer feedback into categories of priority or the organization of products by type before inventory.

16. Or symbol

The Or symbol looks awfully similar to the summoning junctions symbol but don’t confuse them because they have different use cases.

For reference, the Or symbol is a circle with a “Plus sign” inside it rather than an “X.” 

The Or symbol is used to denote a point in the process where a decision is made and the outcome of that decision dictates the next step in the process.

17. Loop limit symbol

The loop limit symbol is represented as a rectangle with squared-off top edges.

The purpose of the loop limit symbol is to show where and when a looping action, which could otherwise continue indefinitely, should stop.

This symbol is commonly seen in flowcharts related to programming workflows.

18. Delay symbol

The delay symbol has the appearance of an elongated semi-circle.

It’s used to mark points where delays or waiting periods are expected within a process 

For example, in a manufacturing workflow, this symbol might indicate a cooling period required after a product has been heated.

Adding the length of delay in the symbol (if you know it) makes this symbol more useful. 

19. Internal storage symbol

A rectangle with two lines going across its length and width is known as the internal storage symbol.

It’s used mainly in software design flowcharts and represents a specific type of data storage or memory that is internal to the system being described.

20. Data storage or stored data symbol

The stored data symbol appears as a curved piece of paper and is used in programming flowcharts.

It’s used to denote where data is stored outside of the immediate processing environment.

This symbol illustrates the interaction between the process and external data storage facilities, such as databases, file systems, or cloud storage services. 

21. Database symbol

The database symbol resembles a stack of cylinders and indicates the involvement of a database in the process.

This symbol in flowcharts showing data-intensive processes, such as querying information, updating records, or performing transactions within a database.

22. Display symbol

The display symbol looks like the delay symbol merged with an isosceles triangle on one side. 

This symbol shows where user interaction occurs within a system and is important in processes that require data to be presented to the user.

23. Hard disk symbol

The hard disk symbol is essentially a cylinder lying on its curved side.

This symbol indicates when data is stored on a hard drive. It’s used to show points in a process where data is written to or read from a hard disk.

24. Alternate process symbol

The alternate process symbol looks like a rectangle with rounded corners.

It’s used to denote a step that deviates from the main process and represents an alternative method or pathway for accomplishing a task. 

Conclusion: Create flowcharts with all these symbols and more using Venngage

When making a flowchart, the last thing you want to worry about is if the software has all the shapes and symbols you need.

With Venngage, you’ll not only get that but access to our in-editor library of images, shapes, and diverse icons that’ll bring your flowchart to life.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) 

What is a flowchart?

A flowchart is a visual representation that outlines each step or decision point in a process. Think of flowcharts as a roadmap of your workflow. 

What is input/output in a flowchart?

Input/output in flowcharts indicate when data enters or leaves a system. For example, in online booking system, a parallelogram labeled “Enter Booking Details” represents the input where customers submit their information and another another parallelogram labelled “Send Email Confirmation” indicates the output where the system sends a confirmation email to the customer.

What are the types of flowcharts?

There are 8 main types of flowcharts . They include: 1) Process flowchart, 2) Decision flowchart, 3) Workflow flowchart, 4) Swimlane flowchart, 5) Use case flowchart, 6) EPC flowchart, 7) System or program flowchart, and 8) Data or document flowchart.

What are the 8 basic symbols of a flowchart?

The eight main symbols used in a flowchart are 1) Rectangle, 2) Diamond, 3) Parallelogram, 4) Triangle, 5) Circle, 6) Trapezoid, 7) Hexagon, 8) Circle.

Are workflow diagrams and flowcharts the same?

Workflow diagram and a flowchart aren’t the same. A workflow diagram is a specific type of flowchart focused on illustrating the sequence of steps and the flow of tasks of particular process while a general flowchart can be used for a wide range of purposes, from programming to decision-making processes. They’re not limited to depicting workflows.

Discover popular designs

Infographic maker

Brochure maker

White paper online

Newsletter creator

Flyer maker

Timeline maker

Letterhead maker

Mind map maker

Ebook maker

• Get started Get started for free

Figma design

Design and prototype in one place

Collaborate with a digital whiteboard

Translate designs into code

Get the desktop, mobile, and font installer apps

See the latest features and releases

• Prototyping
• Design systems
• Wireframing
• Online whiteboard
• Team meetings
• Strategic planning
• Brainstorming
• Diagramming
• Product development
• Web development
• Design handoff
• Product managers

Organizations

Config 2024

Register to attend in person or online — June 26–27

Creator fund

Build and sell what you love

User groups

Join a local Friends of Figma group

Learn best practices at virtual events

Customer stories

Read about leading product teams

Stories about bringing new ideas to life

Get started

• Developer docs
• Best practices
• Reports & insights
• Resource library
• Help center

26 popular flowchart symbols explained

When you’re designing a website, building an app, or mapping a business system, you need a way to chart steps and user flows clearly. While you might use flowcharts to outline these processes, arrows and boxes will only get you so far. To clearly show what you mean, you need flowchart symbols.

To help explain how each flowchart symbol—representing a step, choice, or user input—fits onto a diagram, you’ll learn what the most common symbols mean. From there, you can map them onto a few popular flowchart templates and see them all displayed on a chart for future reference.

Most common flowchart symbols

These basic flowchart symbols appear in most diagrams. Once you know these, you can read most flowcharts.

1. Terminator symbol

Meaning: the start or end of a process

An oval symbol marks the first and last steps of a process. You can include “start” or “end” in the oval to highlight their order. You can use more than one oval for processes with multiple outcomes. Labeling these ovals with numbers or letters helps you track each endpoint in a complex user journey .

2. Action symbol

Meaning: the actions or steps needed to carry out a process

A rectangular action symbol represents any step in a process. As a result, some teams call it a process symbol. These steps connect basic tasks or actions needed to reach an outcome. Manual actions and automatic steps both use this symbol, making it one of the most popular symbols in flowcharting.

3. Decision symbol

Meaning: decisions that break flowcharts into multiple routes

Diamond markers symbolize decisions users make at crossroads in a flowchart. You can place decision markers at simple forks in the road or points leading to multiple paths. More often than not, decision markers represent a true/false or yes/no question.

4. Directional flow symbol

Meaning: the paths a flowchart’s user takes between steps

Arrows guide users along paths on a flowchart. Arrows lead between different process symbols to show how actions lead to outcomes. In this sense, directional flow highlights cause and effect. Dotted or dashed arrows can represent alternate paths to the same outcome.

5. Input and output symbol

Meaning: data or finished products entering and leaving a process

Input and output symbols reveal when goods or data enter and leave a system. Sometimes called the data symbol, this icon shows how resources are used or generated. Inputs refer to something a user enters, while outputs can mean any data or products built by a system.

For example, customer orders and payments represent a system input. Once you process this input, your system gives an output, such as an order delivery. When adding this symbol, specify whether it means an input or an output.

Pro tip: Your flowchart should use these basic symbols as a baseline. You can add more advanced icons after outlining basic outcomes and choices. Try the flowchart template to get started now.

Advanced symbols for flowchart pros

While basic symbols highlight the main elements in your system, advanced symbols let flowcharts function in more intricate ways.

6. Preparation symbol

Meaning: setup or preparation needed to move on to the next step

Preparation symbols represent the setup for another step in your process. They can also differentiate between steps designed to prepare you for work and the steps involving that work. Remember that preparation symbols apply to the process they sit within, so preparation to use an outside tool or resource wouldn’t call for this symbol.

7. Alternate process symbol

Meaning: an alternate progression to the normal step flow

Alternate process symbols show how a system can deviate from its standard process flow. These alternate paths often lead to the same outcome as basic process symbols, but they can also lead to unique outcomes. Dotted or dashed arrows represent the path between alternate steps in process mapping .

8. Predefined process symbol

Meaning: a separate process mapped out elsewhere

This symbol shows up when your flowchart initiates a process you defined elsewhere. Typically, these processes are too complex to fit onto your flowchart. In other cases, the process is well known, and the symbol works as a shorthand. So, teams use the predefined process symbol to keep charts as clear as possible.

Some teams call this a subroutine symbol in the context of programming flowchart symbols.

9. Loop limit symbol

Meaning: indicates the point at which looping steps should stop

Some programming tools use loops, or processes that repeat themselves. These loops can repeat automatically until they reach a desired outcome. This programming symbol states when a loop should stop, either after giving the correct result or going through a predetermined number of loops.

10. Delay symbol

Meaning: a delay or pause in the progression of steps

Delay symbols highlight segments of your process when users have to wait and how long the delay will last. While they sound inconvenient, delays play an important role in your processes. For example, you might include a delay when taking extra risk-prevention steps.

Try this flowchart template

Want to make a flowchart template with visual flair? Get started with FigJam's free template today.

11. Manual input symbol

Meaning: steps where users have to enter information manually

Manual input symbols point out steps prompting users for information. For example, users need to enter a manual input when logging onto their account or entering shipping information.

12. Manual operation symbol

Meaning: a non-automated process you must complete manually

Manual operation symbols highlight tasks users have to complete themselves. You can’t automate every process in a flowchart, so this symbol helps teams consider how they’ll build a user-friendly version of this process.

Some teams refer to this as the manual loop symbol, coming in when a process doesn’t have a loop limit. Instead of making an AI end the loop, users will stop it themselves.

Pro tip: Not all flowcharts need advanced symbols. Whether they play a role on the chart depends on the complexity of your process. That said, flowcharts used by multiple teams benefit from the extra specificity. Try a cross-functional template for these intricate projects.

Flowchart symbols for storing and sharing data

Document and data symbols explain how and when flowchart data gets stored. These flowchart icons also let developers share notes and explain their information architecture .

13. Document symbol

Meaning: a document, report, or form containing relevant information

Document symbols highlight when users input a document or when a program generates one. For example, you'd use this symbol when telling a user to create an invoice or accept a memo. You can also stack multiple document symbols to represent multiple forms.

14. Data storage and stored data symbol

Meaning: a step where data gets stored within a program

Stored data symbols reveal when data enters a program’s storage. Use this symbol when describing specific data used for one step or broader data relevant to an entire process.

15. Internal storage symbol

Meaning: information stored in a system’s internal memory

Internal storage plays a role in software design flowcharts. Flowchart designers use this symbol when going through a process that stores information. This symbol applies to information entered by users or generated by programs.

16. Hard disk symbol

Meaning: location where data gets stored on a hard drive

Teams use this symbol when using direct access storage, or hard drive storage, during a process. When a program doesn’t use online databases, local storage keeps data safe and accessible.

17. Database

Meaning: data listed in a standard structure that allows for sorting and searching

Database symbols represent information kept in modern storage. Unlike tape data, databases allow you to search and access data in any order. You can also filter the data for different users.

18. Collate symbol

Meaning: orders information in a standard format

Collate symbols pop up when processes standardize information. Systems often draw on data points in different formats. Collate symbols reformat this information and standardize it into a new arrangement.

19. Sort symbol

Meaning: organizes a list of items into a set or sequence based on predetermined criteria

Sort symbols collect data from across a flowchart and compile it like collate symbols. However, sort symbols can create flowchart categories, combine processes, and lay out actions in sequence. Sort symbols don’t necessarily standardize the data they collect.

20. Annotation/comment symbol

Meaning: provides additional information on a step in a process

Flowchart writers use annotations or comments to explain their processes in more detail. This symbol can provide instructions or contextual information. Remember that these annotations often help designers and developers rather than the end user.

21. Display symbol

Meaning: indicates a step that displays information

Some processes automatically display information as users move along. Display symbols indicate when this happens and what information will be displayed. Unlike annotations, display symbols focus on customers’ needs over internal teams’.

Pro tip: These symbols help programmers map processes and suit flowcharts that store data and documentation users need to know about. You can use the programming flowchart template in cases like these.

Flowchart symbols for seamless navigation 

Navigation symbols help track flows and connect ideas spanning multiple pages.

22. Or symbol

Meaning: a branch in the flow where users must choose one path or another

Flows can branch off into two paths depending on user inputs or goals. An or symbol highlights these branching points in a user’s flow.

23. Merge symbol

Meaning: a point where two steps, lists, or processes combine

On flowcharts, lists and processes can branch off and reconnect. Merge symbols let the reader know when this occurs. In other cases, merge symbols combine previously unrelated processes or lists.

24. Summoning junction symbol

Meaning: points where multiple flows or paths converge back into a single process

Summoning junctions work like merge symbols for more than two branches. Summoning junction symbols combine three or more flows and lists into a single process.

25. On-page connector symbol

Meaning: points where flows end and resume on different parts of a chart

On-page connectors link different elements on a page, and can replace long arrows on a complex flowchart. Keep track of each symbol by placing the same letter or number inside two connectors.

26. Off-page connector symbol

Meaning: points when a flow ends on a page and resumes on another chart

Complex flow charts use off-page connectors to link elements across pages. A page number will often sit beside the connector to show you where the symbol connects. Off-page targets occur more within complicated systems.

Pro tip: Navigational symbols can make moving through any flowchart easier, but web designers get extra mileage from these icons. Designers can use these symbols to lay out site architecture and explain user flows. You can map this out on the website flowchart template .

Flowchart symbols template

You can edit workflows and chart your next process with a flowchart symbols template . We broke down each symbol on one easy-to-read chart.

Chart and symbolize your processes with FigJam

Flowcharts guide teams from early brainstorming to process refinement. You can build great diagrams through a project lifecycle by learning the meanings of common flowchart symbols.

To go the extra mile in collaboration, try FigJam, a shared online whiteboard . FigJam allows teams to diagram and share notes on a virtual whiteboard. We also provide a library of over 300 templates to help kick-start your creativity.

• Spider Diagram Guide
• 5 Whys Template
• Assumption Grid Template
• Brainstorming Templates
• Brainwriting Template
• Innovation Techniques
• 50 Business Diagrams
• Business Model Canvas
• Change Control Process
• Change Management Process
• Macro Environmental Analysis
• NOISE Analysis
• Profit & Loss Templates
• Scenario Planning
• What are Tree Diagrams
• Winning Brand Strategy
• Work Management Systems
• Balanced Scorecard
• Developing Action Plans
• Guide to setting OKRS
• How to Write a Memo
• Improve Productivity & Efficiency
• Mastering Task Analysis
• Mastering Task Batching
• Monthly Budget Templates
• Program Planning
• Top Down Vs. Bottom Up
• Weekly Schedule Templates
• Kaizen Principles
• Opportunity Mapping
• Strategic-Goals
• Strategy Mapping
• T Chart Guide
• Business Continuity Plan
• Developing Your MVP
• Incident Management
• Needs Assessment Process
• Product Development From Ideation to Launch
• Value-Proposition-Canvas
• Visualizing Competitive Landscape
• Communication Plan
• Graphic Organizer Creator
• Fault Tree Software
• Bowman's Strategy Clock Template
• Decision Matrix Template
• Communities of Practice
• Goal Setting for 2024
• Meeting Templates
• Meetings Participation
• Microsoft Teams Brainstorming
• Retrospective Guide
• Skip Level Meetings
• Visual Documentation Guide
• Weekly Meetings
• Affinity Diagrams
• Business Plan Presentation
• Post-Mortem Meetings
• Team Building Activities
• WBS Templates
• Online Whiteboard Tool
• Communications Plan Template
• Idea Board Online
• Meeting Minutes Template
• Genograms in Social Work Practice
• Conceptual Framework
• How to Conduct a Genogram Interview
• How to Make a Genogram
• Genogram Questions
• Genograms in Client Counseling
• Understanding Ecomaps
• Visual Research Data Analysis Methods
• House of Quality Template
• Customer Problem Statement Template
• Competitive Analysis Template
• Creating Operations Manual
• Knowledge Base
• Folder Structure Diagram
• Online Checklist Maker
• Lean Canvas Template
• Instructional Design Examples
• Genogram Maker
• Work From Home Guide
• Strategic Planning
• Employee Engagement Action Plan
• Huddle Board
• One-on-One Meeting Template
• Story Map Graphic Organizers
• Introduction to Your Workspace
• Managing Workspaces and Folders
• Adding Text
• Collaborative Content Management
• Creating and Editing Tables
• Adding Notes
• Introduction to Diagramming
• Using Shapes
• Using Freehand Tool
• Adding Images to the Canvas
• Accessing the Contextual Toolbar
• Using Connectors
• Working with Tables
• Working with Templates
• Working with Frames
• Using Notes
• Access Controls
• Exporting a Workspace
• Real-Time Collaboration
• Notifications
• Meet Creately VIZ
• Unleashing the Power of Collaborative Brainstorming
• Uncovering the potential of Retros for all teams
• Collaborative Apps in Microsoft Teams
• Hiring a Great Fit for Your Team
• Project Management Made Easy
• Cross-Corporate Information Radiators
• Creately 4.0 - Product Walkthrough
• What's New

Ultimate Flowchart Tutorial | Learn What is a flowchart and How to create a flowchart

So you want to learn flowcharts? Well, This flowchart tutorial will teach you all you need to know. It will cover the history of flowcharts, flowchart symbols, how to create flowcharts, flowchart best practices and we’ve also included a section to answer frequent questions about flowcharts. Best of all you can use our flowchart software.

Creately already has some really awesome articles and videos covering various things related to flowcharts like meanings of flowchart symbols, how to use swimlanes in flowcharts, flowchart best practices, case studies, and much more.

History of Flowcharts

Frank Gilberth introduced flowcharts in 1921, and they were called “Process Flow Charts” at the beginning. Allan H. Mogensen is credited with training business people on how to use flowcharts. Wikipedia has a great summary of the history of flowcharts, read more in this wiki section .

What is a Flowchart

Flowcharts are visual representations of processes and systems, showing the various steps, decision points, and paths through a process. In a wide range of fields, including software development, engineering, business, and education, it is used to help understand, analyze, and optimize processes. A well-designed flowchart should be easy to read and follow a logical sequence of steps.

Flowchart Symbols

Flowchart symbols are graphical representations of various components of a process or system. Each symbol is used to denote a particular action, decision, or result in the process being represented. Each symbol also has a specific meaning.

So what are the different symbols used in a flowchart?. Most people are only aware of basic symbols like processes and decision blocks. But there are many more symbols to make your flowchart more meaningful. The above image shows all the standard flowchart symbols.

The most common symbol used in a flowchart is the rectangle. A rectangle represents a process, operation, or a task. The next most common symbol is the diamond which is used to represent a decision.

With this following list, you can figure out the most commonly used flowchart symbols as well as those that are little-known. All these shapes are available in Creately and you can try out a demo or take a look at some flowchart examples for more context.

Terminal / Terminator

The terminator shows where your process begins or ends. You can use words like ‘Start’, ‘Begin’, ‘End’ inside the terminator shape to make things more obvious.

Process / Rectangle

Flowchart process shape is used to represent a process, action step, or operation. While these are pictured with rectangles, the text in the rectangle mostly includes a verb. For example, ‘Edit Video’, ‘Try Again’, ‘Choose Your Plan’.n’.

The Data object, often referred to as the I/O Shape shows the Inputs to and Outputs from a process. This takes the shape of a parallelogram.

Decision / Conditional

The decision shape is represented as a Diamond. This object is always used in a process flow to ask a question. And, the answer to the question determines the arrows coming out of the Diamond. This shape is quite unique with two arrows coming out of it. One from the bottom point corresponding to Yes or True and one from either the right/left point corresponding to No or False. The arrows should always be labeled to avoid confusion in the process flow.

The document object is a rectangle with a wave-like base. This shape is used to represent a Document or Report in a process flow.

Stored Data

This is a general data storage object used in the process flow as opposed to data that could be also stored on a hard drive, magnetic tape, memory card, of any other storage device.

Direct Data

Direct Data object in a process flow represents information stored which can be accessed directly. This object represents a computer’s hard drive.

Internal Storage

This is a shape that is commonly found in programming flowcharts to illustrate the information stored in memory, as opposed to on a file. This shape is often referred to as the magnetic core memory of early computers, or the random access memory (RAM) as we call it today.

Sequential Access

This object takes the shape of a reel of tape. It represents information stored in a sequence, such as data on a magnetic tape.

Manual Input

This object is represented by a rectangle with the top sloping up from left to right. The Manual Input object signifies an action where the user is prompted for information that must be manually input into a system.

Subroutine / Predefined Process

This shape takes two names – ‘Subroutine’ or ‘Predefined Process’. Its called a subroutine if you use this object in flowcharting a software program. This allows you to write one subroutine and call it as often as you like from anywhere in the code.

The same object is also called a Predefined Process. This means the flowchart for the predefined process has to be already drawn, and you should reference the flowchart for more information.

Although these are the standard symbols available in most flowchart software, some people do use different shapes for different meanings. The most common example of this is using circles to denote start and end. The examples in this flowchart tutorial will stick with the standard symbols.

How to Draw a Flowchart

How do you draw a flowchart? Well, our flowcharting tool is a good place to start. But before directly using the tool, let’s take a look at some basics.

There are four main types of flowcharts. Document flowchart, System flowchart, data flowchart, and program flowchart. Not everyone agrees with this categorization, but the core principles of drawing a flowchart remain the same. You need to consider a few things when drawing a flowchart, Check out 6 useful tips on drawing flowcharts before you start.

If you are drawing a flowchart with many responsible parties you can group them together using swimlanes. Swimlanes are a powerful technique to increase the readability of your flowchart so you should use them according to the situation. Read how to use cross-functional flowchart for planning to learn more about the process.

The below video shows how to draw a flowchart using Creately. It is very simple to use and one-click create and connect helps you draw them faster as well. You can drag and drop symbols from the library or drag images to your diagram by doing an image search.

Here are the Steps to Draw a Flowchart

1. explain the procedure.

Determine the function and boundaries of the system or process you wish to depict in the flowchart. The process’s inputs, outputs, and actions should be identified.

2. Choose the shapes and symbols

To represent the many process components—such as the start and end points, inputs, outputs, actions, decisions, and loops—choose the right symbols and shapes. Rectangles, diamonds, circles, and arrows are the most often utilized shapes in flowcharts. To access all shapes, enable Creately’s flowchart shapes library.

3. Organize the flow

Determine the order of the steps in the process and the different paths that can be taken. This will help you organize the flow of the flowchart. Use Creately’s Plus Create to add the next shape and the connector in a single click.

4. Review and revise

Check that the flowchart accurately depicts the procedure and is simple to read and understand. If required, revise it to make it more precise and understandable. Share feedback using Creately’s contextual comments.

5. Share the flowchart

Distribute the flowchart to coworkers, stakeholders, or clients who will need to use it or refer to it easily with a workspace link

Flowchart Templates and Examples

Although you can start drawing flowcharts by scratch it is much easier to use templates. They help you reduce errors and remind you about the best practices to follow. If you want to use a ready-made template, go to the flowchart examples section and click on the flowchart that best suits you. Click on the use at template after the image and you are ready to draw your flowchart.

Below are two templates out of hundreds of flowchart templates available to the user. Click on any of them to start drawing flowcharts immediately.

• Ready to use
• Fully customizable template
• Get Started in seconds

Flowchart Best Practices

There are a few things you can do to make your flowchart universally accepted. And there are some things that you can do to make it visually pleasing to others as well.

If you’re planning to share your flowchart or hoping to use it on a presentation etc. then it’s wise to use standard symbols. However, it is important to remember that the idea is to give out information in an easy-to-understand manner. It is perfectly acceptable to use an alternative image instead of the document symbol as long as the audience understands it.

Keeping the arrow flow to one side, using the same size symbols, naming the decision blocks, processes, arrows, etc. are a few things you can do to make it better. The common mistakes section covers most of these practices in detail.

Map out any process, workflows, or system with ease. Dedicated shape library, drag and drop interface, and powerful diagramming for super-fast drawing.

Common Mistakes Made when Drawing Flowcharts

This section highlights the common mistakes made when drawing flowcharts. Some of the things mentioned here are to make it better looking and more understandable, not having them in your flowchart won’t make it wrong. Since there are two posts covering these mistakes in-depth I will link to them from this flowchart tutorial.

Effective Use of Flowcharts – Case Studies

A flowchart tutorial isn’t complete without some case studies. Below are three case studies and real-life examples of how flowcharts can help you make decisions.

• Ten Flowchart Ideas for Your Business – How flowcharts can be used in making business decisions and optimizing the current business processes
• Analyzing Sales Funnel with Flowcharts – How to analyze the Google analytic sales funnel using a flowchart.
• Flutterscape Case Study – How one of our customers used flowcharts to enhance their processes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flowchart

The comments section of this article is full of questions. Please note that I will not draw flowcharts for specific scenarios. Below I have answered some of the most frequently asked questions.

Q 01 : What is a subprocess in a flowchart?

Answer: Sometimes complex processes are broken down into smaller sub-processes for clarity. So a flowchart can point to a different sub-process within its flow. The predefined process symbol is used to show such subprocesses.

Q 02 : How are flowcharts used in computer programming?

Answer: A computer program consists of many processes and flows. Flowcharts are used to visualize the processes and make them understandable for non-technical people. They are also used to visualize algorithms and comprehend pseudo-code which is used in programming.

Comments and Feedback on the Flowchart Tutorial

I hope this flowchart tutorial will help you to come up with awesome flowcharts. Flowcharts are a great way to present complex processes in a simple-to-understand manner and they are used all over the world in many industries. If you have a question about drawing flowcharts or have any suggestions to improve this post, feel free to mention in the comments section.

More Diagram Tutorials

• Sequence Diagram Tutorial: Complete Guide with Examples
• Business Process Modeling Tutorial (BPM Guide Explaining Features)
• Use Case Diagram Tutorial (Guide with Examples)

Join over thousands of organizations that use Creately to brainstorm, plan, analyze, and execute their projects successfully.

More Related Articles

Software engineer turned tech evangelist. I handle marketing stuff here at Creately including writing blog posts and handling social media accounts. In my spare time, I love to read and travel.

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

Kenneth Leroy Busbee

A flowchart is a type of diagram that represents an algorithm, workflow or process. The flowchart shows the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting the boxes with arrows. This diagrammatic representation illustrates a solution model to a given problem. Flowcharts are used in analyzing, designing, documenting or managing a process or program in various fields. [1]

Common flowcharting symbols and examples follow. When first reading this section, focus on the simple symbols and examples. Return to this section in later chapters to review the advanced symbols and examples.

Simple Flowcharting Symbols

The rounded rectangles, or terminal points, indicate the flowchart’s starting and ending points.

Note: The default flow is left to right and top to bottom (the same way you read English). To save time arrowheads are often only drawn when the flow lines go contrary the normal.

Input/Output

The parallelograms designate input or output operations.

The rectangle depicts a process such as a mathematical computation, or a variable assignment.

The diamond is used to represent the true/false statement being tested in a decision symbol.

Advanced Flowcharting Symbols

Module call.

A program module is represented in a flowchart by rectangle with some lines to distinguish it from process symbol. Often programmers will make a distinction between program control and specific task modules as shown below.

Local module: usually a program control function.

Library module: usually a specific task function.

Sometimes a flowchart is broken into two or more smaller flowcharts. This is usually done when a flowchart does not fit on a single page, or must be divided into sections. A connector symbol, which is a small circle with a letter or number inside it, allows you to connect two flowcharts on the same page. A connector symbol that looks like a pocket on a shirt, allows you to connect to a flowchart on a different page.

On-Page Connector

Off-Page Connector

Simple Examples

We will demonstrate various flowcharting items by showing the flowchart for some pseudocode.

pseudocode: Function with no parameter passing

pseudocode: Function main calling the clear monitor function

Sequence Control Structures

The next item is pseudocode for a simple temperature conversion program. This demonstrates the use of both the on-page and off-page connectors. It also illustrates the sequence control structure where nothing unusual happens. Just do one instruction after another in the sequence listed.

pseudocode: Sequence control structure

Advanced Examples

Selection control structures.

pseudocode: If then Else

pseudocode: Case

Iteration (Repetition) Control Structures

pseudocode: While

pseudocode: For

The for loop does not have a standard flowcharting method and you will find it done in different ways. The for loop as a counting loop can be flowcharted similar to the while loop as a counting loop.

pseudocode: Do While

pseudocode: Repeat Until

• cnx.org: Programming Fundamentals – A Modular Structured Approach using C++
• Wikipedia: Flowchart ↵

Programming Fundamentals Copyright © 2018 by Kenneth Leroy Busbee is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

Computersciencementor | Hardware, Software, Networking and programming

Algorithm and flowchart explained with examples, what is algorithm and flowchart.

Algorithm and flowchart are programming tools. A Programmer uses various programming languages to create programs. But before actually writing a program in a programming language, a programmer first needs to find a procedure for solving the problem which is known as planning the program. The program written without proper pre-planning have higher chances of errors. The tools that are used to plan or design the problem are known as programming tools. Algorithm and flowchart are widely used programming tools.

The word “algorithm” relates to the name of the mathematician Al- khowarizmi , which means a procedure or a technique. Programmer commonly uses an algorithm for planning and solving the problems.

An algorithm is a specific set of meaningful instructions written in a specific order for carrying out or solving a specific problem.

Types of Algorithm:

The algorithm and flowchart are classified into three types of control structures.

• Branching(Selection)
• Loop(Repetition)

According to the condition and requirement, these three control structures can be used.

In the  sequence structure, statements are placed one after the other and the execution takes place starting from up to down.

Whereas in branch control, there is a condition and according to a condition, a decision of either TRUE or FALSE is achieved. In the case of TRUE, one of the two branches is explored; but in the case of FALSE condition, the other alternative is taken. Generally, the ‘IF-THEN’ is used to represent branch control.

Write an algorithm to find the smallest number between two numbers

Write an algorithm to check odd or even number.

The Loop or Repetition allows a statements or block of statements to be executed repeatedly based on certain loop condition. ‘While’ and ‘for’ construct are used to represent the loop structure in most programming languages. Loops are of two types: Bounded and Unbounded loop. In bounded loop, the number of iterations is fixed while in unbounded loops the condition has to satisfy to end the loop.

An algorithm to calculate even numbers between 20 and 40

Write an algorithm to input a natural number, n, and calculate the odd numbers equal or less than n.

Characteristics of a good algorithm.

• The Finite number of steps:

After starting an algorithm for any problem, it has to terminate at some point.

• Easy Modification.

There can be numbers of steps in an algorithm depending on the type of problem. It supports easy modification of Steps.

• Easy and simple to understand

A Simple English language is used while writing an algorithm. It is not dependent on any particular programming language. People without the knowledge of programming can read and understand the steps in the algorithm.

An algorithm is just a design of a program. Every program needs to display certain output after processing the input data. So one always expects the result as an output from an algorithm. It can give output at different stages. The result obtained at the end of an algorithm is known as an end result and if the result is obtained at an intermediate stage of process or operation then the result is known as an intermediate result. Also, the output has to be as expected having some relation to the inputs.

The first design of flowchart goes back to 1945 which was designed by John Von Neumann . Unlike an algorithm, Flowchart uses different symbols to design a solution to a problem. It is another commonly used programming tool.

In general, a flowchart is a diagram that uses different symbols to visually present the flow of data. By looking at a flow chart one can understand the operations and sequence of operations performed in a system. This is why flowchart is often considered as a blueprint of a design used for solving a specific problem.

A flowchart is defined as a symbolic or a graphical representation of an algorithm that uses different standard symbols.

Flowchart Symbols:

Guidelines for drawing a flowchart.

• The Title for every flowchart is compulsory.
• There must be START and END point for every flowchart.
• The symbols used in flowchart should have only one entry point on the top. The exit point for symbols (except for decision/diamond symbol) is on the button.
• There should be two exit points for decision symbol; exit points can be on the bottom and one side or on the sides.
• The flow of flowchart is generally from top to bottom. But in some cases, it can also flow to upward direction
• The direction of the flow of control should be indicated by arrowheads.
• The operations for every step should be written inside the symbol.
• The language used in flowchart should be simple so that it can be easily understood.
• The flowlines that show the direction of flow of flowchart must not cross each other.
• While connecting different pages of the same flowchart, Connectors must be used.

Some examples of algorithm and flowchart.

Example1: To calculate the area of a circle

Step1: Start

Step2: Input radius of the circle say r

Step3: Use the formula πr 2 and store result in a variable AREA

Step4: Print AREA

Step5: Stop Flowchart:

Related Posts

Sampurna shrestha

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Diagramming Build diagrams of all kinds from flowcharts to floor plans with intuitive tools and templates.

Whiteboarding collaborate with your team on a seamless workspace no matter where they are., data generate diagrams from data and add data to shapes to enhance your existing visuals., enterprise friendly easy to administer and license your entire organization., security see how we keep your data safe., apps & integrations connect to all the tools you use from microsoft, google workspace, atlassian, and more..

• What's New Read about new features and updates.

Product Management Roadmap features, brainstorm, and report on development, so your team can ship features that users love.

Software engineering design and maintain complex systems collaboratively., information technology visualize system architecture, document processes, and communicate internal policies., sales close bigger deals with reproducible processes that lead to successful onboarding and training..

• Getting Started Learn how to make any type of visual with SmartDraw. Familiarize yourself with the UI, choosing templates, managing documents, and more.
• Templates get inspired by browsing examples and templates available in SmartDraw.

Diagrams Learn about all the types of diagrams you can create with SmartDraw.

Whiteboard learn how to combine free-form brainstorming with diagram blueprints all while collaborating with your team., data visualizers learn how to generate visuals like org charts and class diagrams from data., development platform browse built-in data visualizers and see how you can build your own custom visualization., open api the smartdraw api allows you to skip the drawing process and generate diagrams from data automatically., shape data add data to shapes, import data, export manifests, and create data rules to change dashboards that update..

• Explore SmartDraw Check out useful features that will make your life easier.
• Blog Read articles about best practices, find tips on collaborating, learn to give better presentations and more.

Support Search through SmartDraw's knowledge base, view frequently asked questions, or contact our support team.

Site license site licenses start as low as $2,995 for your entire organization..

• Team License The SmartDraw team License puts you in control with powerful administrative features.

Apps & Integrations Connect to all the tools you use.

• Contact Sales

What's New?

Solutions By Team

Save money, reduce hassle, and get more.

Unleash your team's productivity by combining enterprise-class diagramming, whiteboarding, and data while saving 10x over Visio and Lucidchart!

Getting Started Learn to make visuals, familiarize yourself with the UI, choosing templates, managing documents, and more.

Templates get inspired by browsing examples and templates available in smartdraw., developer resources, additional resources.

Team License The SmartDraw Team License puts you in control with powerful administrative features.

Solutions for your team.

• Flowchart Examples
• Flowchart Symbols
• Flowchart Types
• Flowchart Tips
• Other Diagrams

How to Make a Flowchart

A good flowchart should communicate a process clearly and effectively. When starting out, it's a good idea to focus on a couple of things.

How to make a flowchart in a few simple steps:

• Determine the purpose or function of the flowchart
• Add steps and connect them with arrows
• Add decisions
• Show any loops back to previous steps
• Share your flowchart and ask for feedback

Try SmartDraw Free

SmartDraw can help your team collaborate on and document processes.

You can create professional flowcharts for documentation or to comply with regulatory requirements. You can easily add these flowcharts to any Microsoft Office ® product like Word or PowerPoint, to any Google Workspace ™ app like Google Doc, or to Confluence. These flowcharts can help onboard new employees or meet your organization's compliance needs.

SmartDraw can also help you document processes in real time to serve as the foundation for your team's collaborative discussions and brainstorming sessions to improve processes at your orgnization. SmartDraw lets teams work together or you can share your flowcharts in Microsoft Teams ® and Slack where you already collaborate with your team. It's easy to use, runs on any device, and works with tools you already use. This short video shows you how it works.

What is the Purpose or Function of Your Flowchart?

Before deciding to draw a flowchart, it's important to determine the purpose of it. Will it be used to brainstorm the flow for a product or system? Will it be used for training a new employee for a specific task or job? Is it a set of instructions to assemble a product? Will it be used as an overview for a group presentation?

If it is to serve as a working diagram for thinking through a design or programming problem, then how it is designed and drawn are of less importance than its function. In other words, how you make a flowchart look is less important than being able to read and understand it later.

On the other hand, if it is going to be used to explain a process to someone else, then you need to be very careful about how you draw a flowchart. It needs to convey the information in a way that is easy to understand. You'll want to keep the flow from step to step easy to follow and keep descriptions of process clear and to the point. If a process is too complex, you should break it into smaller, more manageable processes.

How to Make a Flowchart with SmartDraw

Start with a flowchart template.

To create a flowchart in SmartDraw, start by selecting the blank Flowchart template from the Flowcharts category under the New Document section of the dashboard.

Every SmartDraw template has set of tool palettes docked to the left of the work area call the SmartPanel. This SmartPanel contains all the tools, libraries, and shortcuts you'll need to build your flowchart.

Adding a Flowchart to Any Existing Diagram

Alternatively, you can add a flowchart to any other diagram by choosing Flowchart from the Add Diagram BluePrint options. You can access these by clicking on the plus sign in the gutter to the left of the main SmartPanel of any open diagram.

SmartDraw's work area can contain multiple diagrams simultaneously. The SmartPanel and its associated tool palettes dynamically adjust to show the tools and symbols you need for the type of diagram selected in the work area.

Drag and Drop Flowchart Symbols

The first part of any flowchart is represented with a rounded or pill-shaped box. You can drag and drop this flowchart symbol from the left panel to your work area.

There are a few ways to add more flowchart symbols , you can keep dragging and dropping from the library or the shape menu, use Quick Action Controls, or use your keyboard.

Adding Steps

To add the next step using Quick Action Controls , click on any of the yellow dots around a selected shape. These Quick Action Control buttons let you drag your mouse to draw a connected line and then choose a shape to add from a pop-up menu of options.

This menu is intelligent and will populate with the last 6 symbols you've used in your diagram, so you'll always have the right symbols at your fingertips.

You can also hold down the [CTRL] key and hit any arrow key to automatically add the most recently used shape in the direction of the arrow.

To add text, simply type while the box is selected.

Searching for Additional Symbols

A libary of basic flowchart symbols is docked next to your work area. If you need to find more symbols, you can simply type into the search field above the docked libary. Type in "process", "data" (or anything you want) to bring up all the symbols related to your query. You can drag-and-drop from your search results just as you would from the regular symbol library.

To dock or pin any of the search results, click on the plus sign next to a library's name and select either Add result or Add library depending on whether you want to add the entire symbol collection or just the symbols that matched your search.

To add every symbol found to the main SmartPanel, click on the star icon next to the search field.

Decisions and Labeling Lines

To create a fork in your process, you can add the diamond shape to signify a decision and then connect two different steps to it. Select the line connecting to a step and change its label by double-clicking and replacing the placeholder there. Traditionally, lines coming from a decision shape are labeled "yes" or "no".

Changing Shapes

If you build your chart and need to swap out a shape to a different one, you don't have to start over. You can select the shape you want to change and use the right-click menu to change it. Select Change Shape and choose one of the frequently used flowchart symbols.

Returning to a Previous Step

If you get to a point in the process that you can go no further and you need to return to an earlier step, you can do this by drawing a line to one of the previous boxes. Just click on the yellow Quick Action Control on the shape you want to connect back to another and then drag your cursor to draw a line towards the shape you want to point to. When you see the anchor symbol appear, you can let go because it means your line will be connected to the other shape.

Moving Steps with the Help of Guides

If you need to move a step, just click to select it and drag it to its new position. As you move the shape, you'll notice guides appear that will help you position your shape. These guides can help you line up the center of shapes and space shapes more evenly. To drop a shape into place, simply let go of your mouse. Lines will remain connected. You can always de-attach and reattach lines if you need.

Rearranging Steps

You can also rearrange the order of steps and drop a shape from one place in your flowchart to another.

To do so, first you need to make room between shapes. You can do this by simply dragging one shape away from another until there's room between them for another shape.

You can also move the shape without disconnecting it from the flowchart first, but then you'll need to delete the connecting line you no longer need after the move.

Insert a New Step Using Your Keyboard

You can also easily insert a new shape between two connected shapes using your keyboard. Hold down the Ctrl key and hit the arrow in the direction you want to insert a new step. The new box will push everything else down, while your flowchart stays neatly formatted. It's that easy.

Deleting Shapes

To delete a step, just select it and hit delete. Again, SmartDraw's automation will allow the flowchart to reflow automatically and heal missing connections.

Adding Swimlanes

At any time, you can transform your flowchart to a swimlane diagram by adding a pool with swimlanes to your existing diagram.

You can have your swimlanes go vertically, horizontally, or both in a grid pattern.

You can choose the orientation of your swimlanes: Vertical, Horizontal or Grid in the Swimlane Control Palette .

You can even change the orientation of your lanes on the fly, after adding shapes without having to start over.

Types of Swimlanes

Next, you'll want to specify how many lanes you want to add to start with. Whatever you select, you can always add or delete lanes later. This is just a starting point.

Click Insert Swimlane Container to add the Swimlanes.

Once you added your swimlane pool, you can select the existing column headers and replace them with your own copy. Click in each row or column header and select the existing "Person/Group" placeholder text and type to replace it with your own divisions.

Growing Swimlanes

Depending on the orientation of the swimlane container, the lanes will automatically expand to accomodate new shapes as they're added.

If you selected a horizontal swimlane container, the lanes will automatically become longer as needed if you add steps horizontally. If you added a vertical swimlane, the swimlanes will expand only vertically.

Keeping with the orientation of your swimlane, if you have a horizontal swimlane container and you add a new shape that would be outside the container vertically, SmartDraw will automatically add a new lane to the pool to accommodate your new step. This option is set under the options menu and it's called Auto Resize Lanes .

Moving Swimlanes

By default when you move the lanes around, the flowchart moves with it. If you turn the option Act as Container off in the options palette, the lanes and flowchart can move independently.

To remove a swimlane entirely, select the container and hit delete.

Changing the Style of Your Flowchart

SmartDraw automatically applies professional design themes for you, but also gives you complete control to customize your process chart in any way you want.

Change the entire look of your chart by applying a new design theme with just one click.

Or change the look of individual shapes instantly by selecting a new Quick Style . Choose from more than 40 preset looks.

Adding Hyperlinks

You can link to a website or another flowchart using hyperlinks. You can add a hyperlink to text or to a shape.

To add a hyperlink to a shape, right-click on it and choose Add Hyperlink , Enter a URL, browse to a file in SmartDraw, or add a link to another page in the same document.

Alternatively, you can insert the hyperlink for a selected shape from the Insert menu on the Main Toolbar.

Once a link has been added, you'll see a small chain icon appear in the lower right corner of your shape. You can click that icon to access the link. To edit the hyperlink, select the shape and choose the "Add Hyperlink" option again from the right-click menu. To remove the hyperlink, clear the link from the pop up dialog.

If you add the hyperlink to text, the text will appear blue like a traditional web link.

Adding Notes

Put details about your visual in notes instead of on your diagram for a cleaner and simpler look.

To add a note, right-click on your shape, click on Add Note and enter your text.

Alternatively, you can insert the note for a selected shape from the Insert menu on the Main Toolbar.

The note will appear as a small yellow sticky-note icon in the lower right of the shape.

Adding Sub-Charts

To make a complicated process easier to follow and understand, you may want to break complex diagrams into more manageable components.

When you're ready to add a new sub component to your flowchart, select a shape you want to link from and then click the Create a Sub-Process button on the SmartPanel that creates a new page where you can continue your diagram. This new sub-chart is just another page in your document and it is automatically linked to the original diagram.

You add as many sub-charts that you want. Click on the link within the shape to navigate between the original process and the sub-process.

Inserting a Photo into a Shape

Most flowcharts are built using standard flowchart symbols and shapes.

However, for a presentation or for any other special purpose, SmartDraw gives you the power to create unique shapes and charts. For example, you can insert a photo or any image into any flowchart symbol in your chart.

Select the symbol or shape you want to add a picture to and pick Picture from the Insert menu on the Main Toolbar. Choose any picture on your computer and add it to the shape.

Turn Any Flowchart Symbol Into a Table

As with photos, you can also enhance your flowchart by turning any shape into a table with just a few clicks.

Select the symbol or shape you want to insert a table into and navigate to the Table toolbar. Specify the number of rows and columns and click on Insert Table .

Add Your Flowchart to Microsoft Word ® and More

When you're finished you can add your flowchart to Microsoft Word ® , Excel ® , PowerPoint ® , Confluence, or any Google Workspace app easily.

Once your flowchart is ready, click on Export under the Home tab and choose Export to Office .

You can also share your flowchart as an image or a PDF. Or share a link to your flowchart in SmartDraw easily.

What is a Flowchart

What do you want to do with flowcharts, i want to create my own flowchart on lucidchart., i want to create a flowchart from a ready-made template..

This comprehensive guide offers everything you need to know about flowcharts, including definitions, history, use cases, symbols, tips, and how to use our flowchart maker to get you started.

9 minute read

Want to create a flowchart of your own? Try Lucidchart. It's fast, easy, and totally free.

More flowchart tips

• Keep your audience in mind and gear the detail in your chart to them. Clear communication is a key goal of flowcharts.
• If the process you are charting involves different teams or departments, consider using a Swimlane Diagram to clearly delineate responsibilities and handoffs.
• Use on-page or off-page connectors to “edit” your chart and make it flow logically. This can allow you to break up a chart into separate pages and still flow well.

What is a flowchart?

Flowcharts to document business processes came into use in the 1920s and ‘30s. In 1921, industrial engineers Frank and Lillian Gilbreth introduced the “Flow Process Chart” to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).  In the early 1930s, industrial engineer Allan H. Morgensen used Gilbreth’s tools to present conferences on making work more efficient to business people at his company.  In the 1940s, two Morgensen students, Art Spinanger and Ben S. Graham, spread the methods more widely. Spinanger introduced the work simplification methods to Procter and Gamble. Graham, a director at Standard Register Industrial, adapted flow process charts to information processing. In 1947, ASME adopted a symbol system for Flow Process Charts, derived from the Gilbreths’ original work.

Also in the late ‘40s, Herman Goldstine and John Van Neumann used flowcharts to develop computer programs, and diagramming soon became increasingly popular for computer programs and algorithms of all kinds. Flowcharts are still used for programming today, although pseudocode, a combination of words and coding language meant for human reading, is often used to depict deeper levels of detail and get closer to a final product.

In Japan, Kaoru Ishikawa (1915-1989), a key figure in quality initiatives in manufacturing, named flowcharts as one of the key tools of quality control, along with complementary tools such as the Histogram, Check Sheet and Cause-and-Effect Diagram, now often called the Ishikawa Diagram.

Flowchart symbols

Here are some of the common flowchart symbols. For a more comprehensive list, see our full flowchart symbols page .

Flowcharts for computer programming/algorithms

As a visual representation of data flow, flowcharts are useful in writing a program or algorithm and explaining it to others or collaborating with them on it. You can use an algorithm flowchart to spell out the logic behind a program before ever starting to code the automated process. It can help to organize big-picture thinking and provide a guide when it comes time to code. More specifically, flowcharts can:

• Demonstrate the way code is organized.
• Visualize the execution of code within a program.
• Show the structure of a website or application.
• Understand how users navigate a website or program.

Often, programmers may write pseudocode, a combination of natural language and computer language able to be read by people. This may allow greater detail than the flowchart and serve either as a replacement for the flowchart or as a next step to actual code.

Related diagrams used in computer software include:

• Unified Modeling Language (UML): This is a general-purpose language used in software engineering for modeling.
• Nassi-Shneiderman Diagrams: Used for structured computer programming. Named after Isaac Nassi and Ben Shneiderman, who developed it in 1972 at SUNY-Stony Brook. Also called Structograms.
• DRAKON charts: DRAKON is an algorithmic visual programming language used to produce flowcharts.

How flowcharts are used in numerous other fields

Beyond computer programming, flowcharts have many uses in many diverse fields.

In any field:

• Document and analyze a process.
• Standardize a process for efficiency and quality.
• Communicate a process for training or understanding by other parts of the organization.
• Identify bottlenecks, redundancies and unnecessary steps in a process and improve it.
• Plan coursework and academic requirements.
• Create a lesson plan or oral presentation.
• Organize a group or individual project.
• Show a legal or civil process, like voter registration.
• Plan and structure creative writing, like lyrics or poetry.
• Demonstrate character development for literature and film.
• Represent the flow of algorithms or logic puzzles.
• Understand a scientific process, like the Krebs cycle.
• Chart an anatomical process, such as digestion.
• Map out symptoms and treatment for diseases/disorders.
• Communicate hypotheses and theories, like Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

Sales and marketing:

• Plot out the flow of a survey.
• Chart a sales process.
• Plan research strategies.
• Show registration flows.
• Disseminate communication policies, like an emergency PR plan.
• Understand order and procurement processes.
• Represent an employee’s tasks or daily routine.
• Understand the paths that users take on a website or in a store.
• Develop a business plan or product realization plan.
• Document a process in preparation for an audit, including for regulatory compliance, such as under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
• Document a process in preparation for a sale or consolidation.

Manufacturing:

• Denote the physical or chemical makeup of a product.
• Illustrate the manufacturing process from beginning to end.
• Discover and solve inefficiencies in a manufacturing or procurement process.

Engineering:

• Represent process flows or system flows.
• Design and update chemical and plant processes.
• Assess the life cycle of a structure.
• Chart a reverse-engineering flow.
• Demonstrate the design and prototype phase of a new structure or product.

Types of flowcharts

Different authors describe various types of flowcharts in different terms. These people include published experts such as Alan B. Sterneckert, Andrew Veronis, Marilyn Bohl and Mark A. Fryman.

Sterneckert, in his 2003 book Critical Incident Management , listed four popular flowchart types, framed around the concept of flow controls rather than the flow itself:

Document Flowcharts:

Data flowcharts:, system flowcharts:, program flowcharts:.

Veronis , in his 1978 book Microprocessors: Design and Applications , outlined three flowchart types based on scope and level of detail:

System Flowchart:

General flowchart:, detailed flowchart:.

Bohl, in her 1978 book A Guide for Programmers, listed only two:

System Flowchart.

Program flowchart..

But Fryman, in his 2001 book Quality and Process Improvement , differentiated the types in multiple ways from more of a business perspective than a computer perspective:

Decision Flowchart.

Logic flowchart., systems flowchart., product flowchart., process flowchart..

Additional flowchart types defined by others include:

Swimlane Diagram, a.k.a Swimlane Flowchart:

Workflow flowchart:, event-driven process chain (epc) flowchart:, specification and description language (sdl) flowchart:.

These related diagrams are also sometimes thought of as types of flowcharts:

Data Flow Diagram (DFD):

Process flow diagram (pfd), a.k.a. process flowchart:, business process model and notation (bpmn 2.0):, how to plan and draw a basic flowchart, define your purpose and scope., identify the tasks in chronological order., organize them by type and corresponding shape,, draw your chart,, confirm your flowchart,, helpful resources.

• How to Make a Flowchart in Excel
• What is a flowchart and how to create one
• Flowchart Symbols and Notation
• How to Make a Flowchart
• How to Make a Flowchart in PowerPoint
• How to Make a Flowchart in Word

Creating flowcharts in Lucidchart is simple and intuitive. Simply drag shapes onto the canvas and draw lines to connect them. If you're not sure where to begin, check out our tutorial for tips on how to draw a flowchart .

Flowchart Symbols and Their Meanings

Flowchart symbols defined.

By Nicholas Hebb

The following is a basic overview, with descriptions and meanings, of the most common flowchart symbols - also commonly called flowchart shapes , flow diagram symbols or process mapping symbols , depending upon what type of diagram you're creating. The table below lists the flowchart symbol drawing, the name of the flowchart symbol in Microsoft Office (with aliases in parentheses), and a short description of where and how the flowchart symbol is used.

Excel Flowchart Wizard

Process / operation symbols, branching and control of flow symbols, input and output symbols, file and information storage symbols, data processing symbols.

Caveat: The descriptions given above are written from the perspective of someone using them to create process flow charts , whereas many of the flowchart symbols actually have their roots in the data processing diagrams and programming flow charts. So, not all the flowcharting shapes shown below may be relevant to your needs.

The flowchart symbol names in parentheses are common alternates for a given shape. Sometimes a flowchart shape can have more than one meaning, as with the Circle shape, which depicts a jump node in flow charts and inspection point in business process mapping. Other times, there are just multiple names for the same flow chart symbol - such as Terminator and Terminal Point.

The Most Commonly used Flowchart Symbols

The majority of flowcharts rely on just a few of the process-related symbols to do all the heavy lifting: Terminator , Process , Decision , Document , and Connector . In fact, if you use other flowcharting shapes, many people won't know what they are for, so you may want to add a symbol key to your flowchart.

About the Flowchart Symbols

You might think that an expensive flowchart software package is required to make presentation-quality flowcharts. It isn't. All the shapes used in this article were created in Microsoft Excel.

About the Author

Nicholas Hebb

Nicholas Hebb is the owner and developer of BreezeTree Software, makers of FlowBreeze Flowchart Software , a text-to-flowchart maker, and Spreadspeed , an auditing and productivity toolset for Microsoft Excel ® .

FlowBreeze Flowchart Software

FlowBreeze is an Excel add-in that automates the steps to create a flowchart. It simplifies the task of creating flowcharts by converting your text into flowchart shapes, automatically applying styles, routing connector arrows, positioning symbols, and much more. Try a free 30-day trial today!

Spreadspeed Excel Utilities

Spreadspeed is a time saving Excel add-in for performing operations on workbooks, worksheets, ranges, tables, text, numbers, dates, data, and more. The Spreadspeed auditing features are a set of risk assessment and error reduction tools for ensuring the quality of your spreadsheets.

FlowBreeze Samples

Most Popular Articles

• What is a Flowchart?
• Flowchart Symbols
• How to Flowchart in Excel
• How to Flowchart in Word
• Flowchart Tips and Tricks

Tutorial - Building a Flowchart

This brief tutorial will guide you through building and executing a simple flowchart.

We would like a flowchart that asks the user for a number, and then counts down to zero (displaying each number to the MasterConsole ).

1. Start Raptor.

2. Add a Input symbol to the flowchart by left-clicking once on the Input symbol and then adding it between Start and End. }}-->  }}-->Double click to add the prompt "Enter a number:" and use the variable name Count.

3. Next, add a Loop structure and edit its expression to

}}-->  }}-->Count < 0

4. Add an Output symbol to output the variable Count to the MasterConsole.

5. Add an Assignment symbol to decrement the value of Count. }}-->  }}-->Edit the statement to

}}-->  }}-->Count = Count - 1

• School Guide
• Class 8 Syllabus
• Maths Notes Class 8
• Science Notes Class 8
• History Notes Class 8
• Geography Notes Class 8
• Civics Notes Class 8
• NCERT Soln. Class 8 Maths
• RD Sharma Soln. Class 8
• Math Formulas Class 8
• BCA 1st Semester Syllabus (2023)

Fundamentals of IT & Computers

• Basics of Computer and its Operations
• Characteristics of Computer System
• Types of Computers
• Number System and Base Conversions
• What is Algorithm | Introduction to Algorithms

What is a Flowchart and its Types?

• What is an Operating System?
• DOS Full Form
• Types of Operating Systems
• Commonly Used Operating System
• Difference between Word Processor and Text Editor
• Introduction to Microsoft Word
• Introduction to MS Excel
• Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint

C Programming

• C Programming Language Tutorial
• Operators in C
• Control Structures in Programming Languages
• C if else if ladder
• Nested switch case
• Introduction to Divide and Conquer Algorithm - Data Structure and Algorithm Tutorials
• Understanding Time Complexity with Simple Examples
• What is PseudoCode: A Complete Tutorial
• Arithmetic Operators in C
• C Functions
• Parameter Passing Techniques in C
• Difference Between Call by Value and Call by Reference in C
• Scope rules in C

Basic Mathematics

• Determinant of a Matrix
• Mathematics | Limits, Continuity and Differentiability
• Advanced Differentiation
• Chain Rule Derivative - Theorem, Proof, Examples
• Taylor Series
• Relative Minima and Maxima
• Beta Function
• Gamma Function
• Reduction Formula
• Vector Algebra

Business Communication

• What is Communication?
• Communication and its Types
• BCA 2nd Semester Syllabus (2023)
• BCA 3rd Semester Syllabus (2023)
• BCA 4th Semester Syllabus (2023)
• BCA 5th Semester Syllabus (2023)
• BCA 6th Semester Subjects and Syllabus (2023)
• BCA Full Form
• Bachelor of Computer Applications: Curriculum and Career Opportunity

Flowcharts are nothing but the graphical representation of the data or the algorithm for a better understanding of the code visually. It displays step-by-step solutions to a problem, algorithm, or process. It is a pictorial way of representing steps that are preferred by most beginner-level programmers to understand algorithms of computer science, thus it contributes to troubleshooting the issues in the algorithm. A flowchart is a picture of boxes that indicates the process flow sequentially. Since a flowchart is a pictorial representation of a process or algorithm, it’s easy to interpret and understand the process. To draw a flowchart, certain rules need to be followed which are followed by all professionals to draw a flowchart and are widely accepted all over the countries.

What is FlowChart?

A flowchart is a type of diagram that represents a workflow or process. A flowchart can also be defined as a diagrammatic representation of an algorithm, a step-by-step approach to solving a task.

Flowchart symbols

Different types of boxes are used to make flowcharts flowchart Symbols. All the different kinds of boxes are connected by arrow lines. Arrow lines are used to display the flow of control. Let’s learn about each box in detail.

Uses of Flowcharts in Computer Programming/Algorithms

The following are the uses of a flowchart:

• It is a pictorial representation of an algorithm that increases the readability of the program.
• Complex programs can be drawn in a simple way using a flowchart.
• It helps team members get an insight into the process and use this knowledge to collect data, detect problems, develop software, etc.
• A flowchart is a basic step for designing a new process or adding extra features.
• Communication with other people becomes easy by drawing flowcharts and sharing them.

When to Use Flowchart?

Flowcharts are mainly used in the below scenarios:

• It is most importantly used when programmers make projects. As a flowchart is a basic step to make the design of projects pictorially, it is preferred by many.
• When the flowcharts of a process are drawn, the programmer understands the non-useful parts of the process. So flowcharts are used to separate sound logic from the unwanted parts.
• Since the rules and procedures of drawing a flowchart are universal, a flowchart serves as a communication channel to the people who are working on the same project for better understanding.
• Optimizing a process becomes easier with flowcharts. The efficiency of the code is improved with the flowchart drawing.

Types of Flowcharts

Three types of flowcharts are listed below:

• Process flowchart: This type of flowchart shows all the activities that are involved in making a product. It provides a pathway to analyze the product to be built. A process flowchart is most commonly used in process engineering to illustrate the relation between the major as well as minor components present in the product. It is used in business product modeling to help understand employees about the project requirements and gain some insight into the project.
• Data flowchart: As the name suggests, the data flowchart is used to analyze the data, specifically it helps in analyzing the structural details related to the project. Using this flowchart, one can easily understand the data inflow and outflow from the system. It is most commonly used to manage data or to analyze information to and fro from the system.
• Business Process Modeling Diagram: Using this flowchart or diagram, one can analytically represent the business process and help simplify the concepts needed to understand business activities and the flow of information. This flowchart illustrates the business process and models graphically which paves the way for process improvement.

Types of boxes used to make a flowchart

There are different types of boxes that are used to make flowcharts. All the different kinds of boxes are connected to one another by arrow lines. Arrow lines are used to display the flow of control. Let’s learn about each box in detail.

1. Terminal

This box is of an oval shape which is used to indicate the start or end of the program. Every flowchart diagram has an oval shape that depicts the start of an algorithm and another oval shape that depicts the end of an algorithm. For example:

This is a parallelogram-shaped box inside which the inputs or outputs are written. This basically depicts the information that is entering the system or algorithm and the information that is leaving the system or algorithm. For example: if the user wants to input a from the user and display it, the flowchart for this would be:

This is a rectangular box inside which a programmer writes the main course of action of the algorithm or the main logic of the program. This is the crux of the flowchart as the main processing codes is written inside this box. For example: if the programmer wants to add 1 to the input given by the user, he/she would make the following flowchart:

4. Decision

This is a rhombus-shaped box, control statements like if, condition like a > 0, etc are written inside this box. There are 2 paths from this one which is “yes” and the other one is “no”. Every decision has either yes or no as an option, similarly, this box has these as options. For example: if the user wants to add 1 to an even number and subtract 1 if the number is odd, the flowchart would be:

This arrow line represents the flow of the algorithm or process. It represents the direction of the process flow. in all the previous examples, we included arrows in every step to display the flow of the program. arrow increases the readability of the program.

6. On-Page Reference

This circular figure is used to depict that the flowchart is in continuation with the further steps. This figure comes into use when the space is less and the flowchart is long. Any numerical symbol is present inside this circle and that same numerical symbol will be depicted before the continuation to make the user understand the continuation. Below is a simple example depicting the use of On-Page Reference

Advantages of Flowchart

• It is the most efficient way of communicating the logic of the system.
• It acts as a guide for a blueprint during the program design.
• It also helps in the debugging process.
• Using flowcharts we can easily analyze the programs.
• flowcharts are good for documentation.

Disadvantages of Flowchart

• Flowcharts are challenging to draw for large and complex programs.
• It does not contain the proper amount of details.
• Flowcharts are very difficult to reproduce.
• Flowcharts are very difficult to modify.

Solved Examples on FlowChart

Question 1. draw a flowchart to find the greatest number among the 2 numbers..

Algorithm: 1. Start  2. Input 2 variables from user 3. Now check the condition If a > b, goto step 4, else goto step 5. 4. Print a is greater, goto step 6 5. Print b is greater 6. Stop

Question 2. Draw a flowchart to check whether the input number is odd or even

Algorithm: 1. Start 2. Put input a 3. Now check the condition if a % 2 == 0, goto step 5. Else goto step 4 4. Now print(“number is odd”) and goto step 6 5. Print(“number is even”) 6. Stop

Question 3. Draw a flowchart to print the input number 5 times.

Algorithm: 1. Start 2. Input number a 3. Now initialise c = 1 4. Now we check the condition if c <= 5, goto step 5 else, goto step 7. 5. Print a 6. c = c + 1 and goto step 4 7. Stop

Flowchart to print the input number 5 times

Question 4. Draw a flowchart to print numbers from 1 to 10.

Algorithm: 1. Start 2. Now initialise c = 1 3. Now we check the condition if c < 11, then goto step 4 otherwise goto step 6. 4. Print c 5. c = c + 1 then goto step 3 6. Stop

Flowchart to print numbers from 1 to 10

Question 5. Draw a flowchart to print the first 5 multiples of 3.

Algorithm: 1. Start 2. Now initialise c = 1 3. Now check the condition if c < 6, then goto step 4. Otherwise goto step 6 4. Print 3 * c 5. c += 1. Then goto step 3. 6. Stop

Flowchart to print the first 5 multiples of 3

Please Login to comment...

Similar reads.

• Blogathon-2021
• School Learning
• School Programming

Improve your Coding Skills with Practice

What kind of Experience do you want to share?

Decision Flowchart: Definition And How To Create One

Introduction.

No matter what your profession is, being decisive is always one of the top-notch features contributing to your success. However, not everyone acquires the making decisions skill because they find it hard to figure out what will happen after their decisions. 

This article will give you all the fundamental information about the decision flowchart .

What Is Decision Flowchart?

If you are indecisive, a decision flowchart is a perfect tool! 

Moreover, there would be times that you need to make a prompt choice, but you can’t. In such cases, having a logical decision diagram is beneficial.

The most recognizable symbol of this flowchart is the diamond-shaped symbol, or you can consider it the decision symbol. Normally, people assume that flowchart diagrams with these symbols are the decision flowcharts, but this is not true. 

To clarify, we would like to give you a basic flowchart template for making decisions so that you can tell it apart from other kinds of flowcharts . 

If you are reading a diagram, wherever there is a diamond-shaped symbol, it means the one you are reading is a decision flowchart.

Benefits Of Decision Flowcharts

1. you can briefly explain the process of making decisions.

Typically, a detailed and meticulous diagram can explain more thoroughly than thousands of words. Hence, you can interpret numerous stages of your business plans for your leaders, your customers, and your colleagues to comprehend promptly. 

2. You Can Boost The Efficiency Of Your Team Work

You can save up much of your time creating long document flowcharts but getting little attention from others. 

People can gather, share their opinions in business decisions, and evaluate which one can be the most appropriate for the development. Then, they will collect all the prominent ideas to form a detailed and straightforward decision-making flow graph. Everyone can understand the consequences of “YES” and “NO”. 

Once you and your partners have agreed on a flow chart of making decisions for a specific aspect, the whole team can rely on that graph when handling the same situation. For this reason, there won’t be wasted time for hours of meeting and discussing the same problem over again. 

3. You Can Easily Spot Improper Choices

An outcome flow chart is one of the most creative flowcharts because it is brief and detailed. When you look at the chart, you can immediately detect the error in your current process that may lead to failure. Therefore, you can replace the false solution with a more suitable one. 

4. Accelerate The Making-Decision Step

An outcome flow chart can display the previous steps and the results of a choice, so you won’t have to spend time hesitating about your action. You need to follow the diagram and wait for the exact outcome as the chart recommends.

5. Improve The Team’s Responsibility

Typically, the leader or the business team manager will be in charge of a solution. Therefore, if this person is absent, the whole team has to wait for their coming back to finish the work. 

Yet, things will change with the flow chart . Employees can carry out the task following the diagram without waiting for their leaders. 

Since the diagram is the final product of teamwork, it stands for the opinions and ideas of the managers. Thanks to this unity, everyone shares their responsibility smoothly when handling a specific mission without the manager. 

How To Create Decision Flowchart?

1. you should completely understand your current process.

Before creating your chart of choices, you have to make sure that you know what you will do with it. A diagram functions at its full potential when it is a final product of teamwork. Hence, you should discuss the contents of the flow chart with your partners and comprehend all the processes.

2. Give The Flowchart A Clear Name

You should give it a clear and detailed name of your project, regardless of creating this flow chart pen & paper or a flowchart maker .

3. Add As Many Steps As Possible

You and your colleagues should join hands and predict several consequences and outcomes of a decision so that the chart will assist you in scoping all the issues coming up. 

4. Test Before Using

You should think of a situation and try to decide on it following the processing step of the outcome chart. This method will tell you whether the flow chart will work or not.

5. Detect And Fix The Errors

Errors may appear in the testing stage. Your work is to find out at which step the error shows up and remove or replace it with a better solution.

6. Let Your Flowchart Come Into Use

If you can go through these five steps above without difficulties, you can rely on your decision flowchart to improve your work efficiency.

Bottom Lines

In any profession, making decisions always have a significant impact on the success or failure of the job you are pursuing. For this reason, acquiring a decision flowchart is crucial for you to become a competent person in your working area. Hence, you should start to achieve an outcome flowchart for yourself today!

Related Guides

Flowchart guides, brought to you by, zen flowchart.