business plan flow chart

Business Plan Flowchart Complete Guide

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Do you want an organized route for your business workflow? Keeping track of your business progress can become difficult if you cannot enlist your goals. Plus, you need something that reminds you about the resources and guides you to their usage. A business plan flow chart is the solution for you. It is a graphical representation of the workflow of a business process. This simple chart shows how each step in the process gets to the finish line and how it relates to others.

1. What Is A Business Plan

A business plan is a formal statement of business goals and objectives. It's a written document that describes the company's mission, strategies, and financial information. Moreover, It is also a road map for the future.

Furthermore, this comprehensive document that outlines the business's goals, objectives, and strategies is a passage for your future success as an entrepreneur. Business plan flow charts are essential for any business owner who wants to take their business to the next level.

Elements Of A Business Plan:

The business plan is not just the name of a hard piece of paper. On the contrary, it is a mixture of diverse statistical and theoretical elements, some of which are as follows:

The first element of a business plan is its purpose. When starting a new business, you'll want to define your goals and how you intend to achieve them.

The second element is the product or service that your business provides. You'll want to describe what it is you're offering, and why it's better than those alternatives. Furthermore, it is better to target customers and answer what problems or issues it solves for them.

• Financial Statistics:

The third element of the business plan flow chart is how much capital (money) you need to get started. You'll need enough funds to cover initial expenses, such as advertising costs and lease payments on office space or equipment.

• Task Timeline:

The fourth element is a timeline for when accomplishments must meet the end. Plus, it includes milestones that indicate finished objectives and money spent on them.

• Financial Analysis:

The fifth element is a financial analysis. It breaks down the costs of running the business by category. As a result, it helps you to determine whether or not there's enough money available for everything involved in running it at once.

2. 4 Different Business Plan Types

A business plan flow chart helps you understand what your company will look like and how much money it will need to get off the ground. However, not all of them are created equal. It may vary based on the company framework, data provided, and business objectives. In this article, you'll get a comprehensive overview of 4 different business plan flow chart templates that can help you understand the overall notion of a business plan.

2.1 Business Plan Process

The business plan process flow chart type is a simple diagram. However, it is an essential one indeed. The visualization includes a top-down process enlisting for business growth. It all starts from the goal, which maps the further procedures accordingly. The end focus product is the budget. The business plan flow chart highlights specific strategic and tactical objectives throughout the journey. Each is essential for business performance and judgment for better decision-making. The overall physical presentation may not be luxurious. However, it serves a much bigger purpose, making it far more critical. Considering all the above facts, we can say that this type is a comprehensive process guide for employees and investors to look into.

2.2 Market Analysis Business Plan

The Market Analysis Business Plan is a business plan that focuses on the industrial analysis of your company. It's essential to include information about the following:

• The market, including its size and growth rate
• Your competition (including their strengths and weaknesses)
• Your target audience (what do they want?)

Unlike the above example, this business plan flow chart type gives a much more detailed overview to the business owner and investor. It focuses on the target market, and the share business has in it. This type is essentially beneficial for most companies. Whether you have a small or huge business, it will analyze your market exposure accordingly.

2.3 Business Plan Timeline

The business plan timeline visually represents the order in which tasks should be completed. It helps you visualize your progress and decide what's most important for your project. It can be of yearly timeline progress or future task procedural approach. In general, every business plan flow chart based on a timeline has four different quadrants.

The first quadrant defines what the business is all about. As a result, it sets the stage for everything else in the plan. All the goals and subjects come under this category. The second quadrant helps you assess what your company wants to accomplish, focusing specifically on customer needs or wants at a specific time. Unlike the above example, this business plan flow chart type gives a much more detailed overview to the business owner and investor. It focuses on the target market, and the share business has in it. This type is essentially beneficial for most companies. Whether you have a small or huge business, it will analyze your market exposure accordingly.

2.4 Business Strategy Diagram

A business strategy diagram is a step-by-step flowchart. This business plan flow chart helps you simultaneously visualize the process of developing and implementing your company's overall mission, vision, and goals. Moreover, it can help you evaluate potential new growth strategies and improve current ones. A business strategy diagram includes a whole architecture that summarizes your organization's overall goal.

Simply put, it is a step-by-step roadmap targeting economic departments, strategies to work, and actions performed in a business. Furthermore, it classifies how grouped, and individual actions impact business growth. All in all, this type is an in-depth value analysis chart for every small and big firm that wants ideal business automation.

3. Tips To Create A Business Plan That Stands Out

The Business Plan Flow chart is a visual way of showing the procedural roadmap of a business. It helps your team see the big picture and visualize the order in which tasks need completion. It can help them understand how to sequence their work, so they don't miss anything.

An exemplary flowchart also helps you create a business plan that stands out from competitors. It is possible by providing more information than other companies do about their company goals, services offered, and market presence. To create an ideal business plan that has the potential to visualize a complex production framework, you must follow the given tips.

• The business plan flow chart should be simple, clear, and concise so readers can easily understand it.
• The business plan should include at least one example of how each element has been completed successfully or unsuccessfully in the past. It is necessary because it shows how other people have accomplished similar tasks previously and helps increase confidence that you can do it too!
• Be honest, and do not overestimate your capabilities. Be realistic about the time it takes to accomplish your goal and what resources you need.
• It s better if the business plan flow chart references previous projects as testimonials for future projects. It shows that you have experience with similar tasks, improving customer and investor confidence.
• Make sure that you clearly understand your target audience's demographics and how they will react to your product or service.

4. Conclusion

A business plan flow chart effectively organizes your business and keeps track of the tasks due for completion. It is also a great tool for communicating with investors, bankers, or partners. The above examples show how a simple flowchart can help you communicate ideally while maintaining order in your company's growth process. With EdrawMax , creating, designing, and sharing happens all in one place. You do not have to worry about losing your files, as all the exported files from EdrawMax are highly encrypted. All in all, EdrawMax is a solid tool -- you just sit with your design ideas and explore the tons of features that this business plan maker has to offer.

Flowchart Complete Guide

Check this complete guide to know everything about flowchart, like flowchart types, flowchart symbols, and how to make a flowchart.

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All About Business Process Mapping, Flow Charts and Diagrams

What are your requirements regarding bpmn diagrams.

Learn all about business process mapping and discover how you can effectively use it within your organization.

9 minute read

Would you like to create a BPMN diagram? Test Lucidchart - fast, easy, free.

What is business process mapping?

Business Process Mapping details the steps that a business takes to complete a process, such as hiring an employee or ordering and shipping a product. They show the “who,” “what,” “when,” “where” and “how” for these steps, and help to analyze the “why.” These maps are also called Business Process Diagrams and Business Flow Charts. Like other types of diagrams, these maps use defined symbols such as circles, rectangles, diamonds and arrows to depict the business activities.

Business Process Mapping can be used to document a current process and to model a new one. Its purpose is to gain a detailed understanding of the process, people, inputs, controls and outputs, and then potentially to simplify it all, make it more efficient and/or improve the process results. It requires time and discipline to conduct this mapping, but the payoff can be significant over time. Mapping has become common in the business world to standardize procedures, become more efficient, meet audit requirements and gain competitive advantage.

Business Process Mapping has its roots in the 1920s and ‘30s. In 1921, industrial engineer and efficiency expert Frank Bunker Gilbreth, Sr. 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 teach business people at his work simplification conferences how to make their work more efficient.  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 Gilbreth’s original work.

Current-day purpose and benefits

Business Process Mapping can be used to prepare for business audits or a sale, to reduce expenses, to plan for automation, to understand impacts of pending changes, to realign related processes, and to measure and realign the efforts of people involved in the processes. Often, a business may think it understands its processes, but then discovers twists and turns during a mapping initiative. When modeling a new business process, the mapping is sometimes called Business Process Modeling, or BPM. (That same acronym means Business Process Management, a related area.) For a more detailed look at Business Process Modeling, see this article.

Here are more specific examples of the uses of Business Process Mapping:

Compliance with International Organization for Standardization, called ISO 9001.

Internal audits., compliance with the 2002 sarbanes-oxley act, or sox., standardizing a process., training employees., improving a process., communication., business process mapping symbols.

Here’s one more important entrant in the acronym arena: BPMN. That’s Business Process Modeling Notation, the set of symbols and notations in common use today for modeling. It was developed by the Business Process Management Initiative. It depicts these main components of Business Process Diagrams:

Task or Activity:

Participant:.

Another important mapping concept is called swimlanes , which show who is responsible for specific work. Just like swimlanes in a pool, tasks are shown for a particular participant in a lane, or row, on the map.

Need more detail? See this article on BPMN .

How to do business process mapping

This requires a commitment of time and energy, but the payoff in understanding and analysis can be large. There are four major steps to a mapping initiative:

Identify the process.

Gather information., interview participants and stakeholders., draw the maps and analyze..

To conduct a significant mapping project, you will need to have a support structure in place first. As with any project, you would follow these steps:

Create a project charter or purpose statement

Have an executive sponsor, select the team, plan and conduct the mapping,.

In Business Process Management, the idea is to create a life cycle of continuous improvement. The steps are model, implement, execute, monitor and optimize.

Business Process Mapping is better for some types of processes than others. For example, it usually doesn’t lend itself to diagramming decision-making processes. High level, open-ended decision making often has too many intangibles and wild cards to effectively map. Business Process Mapping is better for the other two types of processes: transformational and transactional, both of which have more clearly defined activities. Transformational refers to processes such as manufacturing or systems development, which take inputs and change their forms, either physical or virtual. Transactional refers to an exchange such as a sales process or any other transaction.

As with any type of diagram, there are situations when another diagram method might be more fitting. For example, a Data Flow Diagram (DFD ), popularized by computing pioneers Ed Yourdon and Larry Constantine in the 1970s, is best at illustrating how information flows through a system or process. Value Stream Mapping (VMS) details the steps required to deliver a product or service. Items are mapped as adding value or not adding value from the customer’s standpoint, with the purpose of rooting out items that don’t add value. And Unified Modeling Language (UML) is used in software engineering to visualize the design of a system.

Key tips for business process mapping

• A skilled practitioner, such as someone trained in Six Sigma, can make a mapping project go much, much smoother. If you don’t have one in house, consider a consultant to work with your internal team.
• Identify metrics of importance. This will enable your mapping to speak effectively with data.
• Interview one or two people at time. If you interview in groups, some people might not speak up or might not want to contradict another person.
• As you interview, keep asking how, where and why. Such as: How do you spend most of your time, and why? Where in the process do you repeat work, and why? Do you ever skip steps? Why? Where are your pain points, and why?
• Be on the lookout for assumptions that may not be true. Keep asking questions until you reach the definitive answer.
• Validate your maps after you initially draw them by reviewing them with participants and your other data sources.

Drawing your map

For a simple process, you might start with Post-It Notes, a white board or a hand-drawn map. However, you might find yourself limited rather quickly as the complexity increases. With chart software, you can draw professional-looking maps that allow for more detail. You also will be able to do subsequent breakdowns with multi-level Business Process Maps, typically ranging from Level 0 (overall view) to Levels 1 through 4 for breakout detail of subprocesses, tasks and flows. Sometimes, a sequence table can be the best way to supplement a map by showing a series of steps. Map software will provide you with the shapes you’ll need to map out the process.

How to do mapping with Lucidchart

Helpful resources.

• Visio BPMN Stencil and Templates
• BPMN Event Types
• BPMN Diagram Symbols & Notation
• BPMN Activity Types
• BPMN Gateway Types
• BPMN & BPMN 2.0 Tutorial
• What is Business Process Modeling Notation

Lucidchart makes it quick and easy to build business process maps that can help improve efficiency within your organization. 

How to choose the most effective flow chart

What is a flow chart .

Flow charts give people a way to visually depict a process or system using shapes or a combination of shapes and words. They can range from quick, hand-drawn pictures to robust, computer-generated diagrams that break down complex ideas into digestible, easy-to-understand pieces. In addition, technical and non-technical people in virtually any field can use flow charts. 

They’re particularly useful in a variety of situations including:  

• Documenting and analyzing processes 
• Developing computer software or networks 
• Communicating or standardizing processes 
• Identifying redundancies, roadblocks and inefficiencies in processes 
• Creating a plan or structure for a new project, department or business 
• Planning project work with multiple stakeholders 
• Understanding how users navigate a website or store 
• Illustrating a manufacturing process 
• Creating a new product or service 

 Flow chart benefits 

Along with the ability to work in almost any scenario, flow charts offer a wide range of benefits, including:  

Information visualization 

A flow chart can be a boon as it provides a visual of how a product or service should work, how a project should flow, or how a network can function before it’s built. By allowing you to identify dependencies, efficiencies, staffing needs and other variables that could impact your project later, flow charts can help you save time and money. 

Documentation 

With a flow chart maker, you can save all your files digitally, distribute them almost instantly, and even create a library of flow chart templates. This way, your files will always be accessible, your teams can stay up to date, your company can stay compliant and you won’t have to reinvent the wheel next time you need to design a similar chart. 

Simplified communication 

Flow charts make every detail clear, which can help teams quickly understand the tasks at hand, when and by whom. This information can mean fewer meetings, fielding fewer questions and give everyone more time for work. Flow charts are also helpful with informational manuals or even onboarding employees. Essentially, flow charts add context to instruction sets, and bring greater efficiency for recurring tasks.  

Easy execution 

Online flow chart templates make it easy to get started quickly. And with simple customizations, streamlined collaboration and built-in version control, you can create exactly what your organization needs, seek input at every stage and will always know where the latest and greatest files are.   

Types of flow charts  

Although flow charts can be used to explain just about anything, most people use them for one of three reasons: to inform decisions, show processes or to visualize data—which is why most flow chart templates fall into one of those three categories. So, let’s take a look at what each type of flow chart entails and when and why to use them.  

1. Decision tree 

Think of a decision tree like an “if this, then that” flow chart. By allowing you to create a map of possible outcomes based on a specific set of choices, a decision tree can help you see a path clearly and weigh your options. 

Decision trees usually begin with a single node (the question), then branch into two options (decisions), then those options lead to additional nodes (possible outcomes). Because of their nature, decision trees are especially good at highlighting probabilities and benefits and can even be used to design algorithms that help predict outcomes. 

2. Process flow chart 

By giving you the power to diagram and analyze the flow of activities when producing a product or service, a process flow chart can help you find gaps and redundancies in your process, identify where specific resources, equipment or people are needed, reveal potential bottlenecks or problem areas, and uncover possible efficiencies.  

Along with outlining how an activity should function, or the provisions of a product or service, process flow charts can also onboard new employees, train existing teams or help outside vendors or consultants understand your business and where they fit in. 

3. Data flow chart 

When you need to take a deep dive into your data, a data flow diagram can help. By using symbols and short text labels to show data inputs, outputs, storage points and pathways, they can condense information into a graphic representation of what may be difficult to verbalize. And, because tech teams and non-technical stakeholders can use them, they’re a great option when you have to present to a broad audience.  

Flow chart tips 

Making a flow chart, especially when using a flow chart template is simple, but making a great flow chart takes a little more thought. So, let’s look at some tips for creating a flow chart that not only informs but looks spectacular. 

• Make your diagrams easy to read . Create your flow chart with the end-user in mind means making sure it’s layout and composition helps your audience knows where to look first and where to look next. By adjusting your alignment as needed, using proper grammar, clear titles, and avoiding jargon, you can ensure your diagram is user-friendly. (Hint: When in doubt, test it out on someone unfamiliar with your project.) 
• Be consistent . When you use shapes, fonts, colors and naming conventions consistently throughout the flow chart, your audience can follow along easier.  
• Use contrast . Using colors consistently is fundamental, but you don’t want to use the same color or color family for every shape. By using distinct colors, you can make steps or actions more prominent. And by using font colors that stand out from the background, your diagram will be easier to read. 
• Use an online flow chart maker . With templates, built-in version control, easy collaboration and the option to edit them anytime, they can help you test out designs and create and manage your diagrams on your schedule.   

Integrate your flow chart 

Whether you need to make a decision, explain a process, or share data with your CEO, embedding flow charts into other business applications and communication tools can further enhance productivity. By using a flow chart maker and productivity tools, you can pull content for your diagrams from all your go-to sources, including documents, files and social media sites.  

Also, you might consider integrating your flow charts with business intelligence (BI) tools, allowing you and your team to interact with your data and tell a better story. With embedded flow charts and BI tools , you can turn data into engaging visuals, create interactive reports, explore data granularly, and gain insights that make fast, informed decisions possible.  

There are so many new ways to create flow charts and bring innovation to your business. To learn more, check out this step-by-step  guide  for automating flow charts from structured data in spreadsheets, and take a deep dive into modern  flow chart tools .  

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The beginner’s guide to using BPMN in business

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Business Process Flow Chart: How to Make One In 7 Steps

Creating an automated business process flow chart will go a long way in determining your restaurant business workflow and dynamics. If you do not have an effective business process flow chart template, you need to get one.

Key Takeaway - Having a business workflow that projects productiveness for every team member is crucial. Besides using ecommerce automation tools , a process flowchart makes getting work done within your company easier.

With the perfect business process mapping, you can automate daily tasks. You can also standardize business operations.

Operations like invoice processing , creating an invoice template , or using order management software are all done smoothly. In addition, you can set up a loyalty program , or automate orders. 

A process flowchart can simplify complex activities like payment processing . The inventory management process and order management workflows can become easy tasks. The inventory definition is even easier to understand with the correct flow chart usage. Heck, the right flow chart can even help offset the inventory carrying cost if you know what you're doing with it.

The point is for your entire team to be in sync. A process workflow chart can help the restaurant team remain aligned with each operation and workflow process. 

How do you design a process flow diagram? This article will help you understand the intricacies of restaurant business process automation. You will also learn how to create a business process flow chart. First, however, let's begin with the most basic question.

What Is a Business Process Flow Chart?

A business process flow chart is a diagram that details the entire process of a business operation. It is a diagrammatic representation of distinct business processes and tasks. 

The purpose of a business process flow chart is to simplify complex procedures and map out your process flow. Restaurant process maps depict the workflow using conditional logic to account for every potential situation. 

Besides the entire business operation, the process flowchart maps out who is doing what tasks. It also shows timelines, and resources needed to perform specific tasks. Kind of similar to how warehouse system flow charts work.

For instance, you can create a business process flow chart to automate handling complaints and requests. Or one to make sure the sales team gets approval upon receiving a new purchase order.

You can create flowchart templates that will help your team handle complex processes if you are off work or unavailable to help. The idea behind process flowcharts is that anyone can replicate the actions for specific operations and get the same results.

Documenting your business workflow makes it easy for employees to work with minimal likelihood of errors. It doesn’t matter if you know the entire business process management by heart. Having a system in place helps your employees adopt the processes as their own.

Creating a process flow is similar to how you write your restaurant business plan . In the long run, it will improve restaurant business productivity. It also helps you continue delivering high-value customer service .

How Can Process Flow Diagrams Help to Improve Productivity?

Do you know that about 50% of employees in a company lack an understanding of their job function and duties? According to a report, most managers do not set expectations for new hires. Ultimately this leads to poor performance and productivity. ( Effectory )

You can avoid this by having a simple business process flow chart template for each operation in your company. So, let's put it into context. How can business process optimization boost business efficiency? 

Increased Work Productivity

Having a business process map template for every process in your company improves productivity. Every employee knows what tasks they are doing and when they are doing them.

Business process diagrams answer the questions of business processes' what, where, when, how, and why. In addition, business process flow charts help employees understand each step in a work process.

Overall, work performance increases because of the work autonomy and clarity of purpose. 

Business Process Improvement Solutions

Documenting your process flow will help create a standard mode of operation. Then, it is possible to align these standard processes with your company's goals and set KPIs to monitor the results.

Business process flow makes checking how simple and complex processes function within your company easier without manually tracking anything. 

Employee Training Guide

Creating a business process flow chart makes it easier to train new employees. It can also help enforce compliance with the company's rules and regulations. 

A typical onboarding process for new employees can take up to six months. But with a flowchart, employees can quickly understand their new roles, making it easier to align with the company's working system.

How Do You Design a Process Flow Diagram? Getting Started In 7 Easy Steps

We've established that your company needs a business process flow chart. The next thing is designing one that will fit your business needs. After that, you can automate the entire work process and remove all errors in your work system.

Designing a business process flow chart is easier than you think. However, the design process begins with picturing the business process. 

Thinking ahead for all possible workflow scenarios when fulfilling a task. It accounts for the solutions to these scenarios.

Let's start designing your business process flow chart in these seven simple steps:

• Select a Workflow Process

The first step is to select the workflow process you want to automate. Next, choose a process that will achieve specific objectives and can be quantifiable. For instance, you can automate the invoice management operation to reduce processing costs.

• Define the Process Steps 

After selecting the process, you want to make sure you understand every possible outcome involved in that process. Reach out to team members and get more information from their experiences. This will help you define the components of each step.

You must break down each step into the tiniest detail without leaving anything out. Also, make sure you walk through these steps to check if the system works.

• Create the Process Flow Diagram

You can use a pen and paper to draw out the diagram. Make sure to draw out the start and end points of each process. For example, the start point for purchase order management can be to “create a requisition,” and the endpoint is “issuing the invoice.”

Remember to set conditions and fill in the details of the steps within the diagram. Also, use business process model and notation, as well as clear tags, colors, and shapes when depicting specific steps.

• Test and Update the Process

Now, you need to test your process diagram. Are there any redundancies? Does it achieve the desired outcome? Is it easy to understand? 

The good thing about a business flow diagram is that you can edit it based on new information. However, with further edits and updates, make sure to run an experiment.

It is essential to update the process as your company expands to eliminate redundancies and improve team performance.

• Set KPIs and Monitor

Setting restaurant business KPIs and metrics for each automated process makes it possible to monitor performance. For example, you can check if the flowchart still aligns with your company goals. 

In addition, setting performance metrics makes it easier to monitor complex processes. The results you get over time will inform if there is a need to break that process down or change the steps involved.

• Business Process Management Tool

You can use a pen and paper to draw your process diagram. However, it is not feasible. 

An eCommerce business process management tool offers a workflow solution for your process flow management. It is much easier than drawing the entire process on paper. You can learn more in our eCommerce business guide.

Business process management tools offer pre-built template options and workflow wizards to help you set up your company's processes. All you need to do is select the process, add the steps, and set the conditions.

Most tools also have a drag-and-drop feature that makes it easy to customize and create a workflow. You can assign roles to each task and add supervisors to monitor the entire process.

However, you can use a business process flow chart template if you don't want to go through the time-consuming process of starting from scratch to create a process flow chart. Most business process management platforms make it easy to modify a flow chart template to suit your B2B eCommerce business .

Therefore, you can fill out the template with your specific business processes and procedures.

• Use a Restaurant Management Software

The whole essence of having a business process flowchart template is to create efficient business systems . A process flowchart is a great place to start if you are looking to automate your restaurant operations.

However, using restaurant management software will offer similar benefits. A restaurant management software is designed to run restaurant operations.

The tool can help process payments, and help streamline marketing and operations. A restaurant management system can improve inventory management and employee scheduling. 

You can even make changes to different types of menus. Using both a process flowchart and a restaurant management tool will help you stay on top of all activities in your business. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Business Process Flow Chart

Why is a process flowchart useful.

A process flowchart helps to automate the workflow in a business. Whether you are running a bar or a deli restaurant, a business flowchart can help to organize your operation.

Here are some uses of a process flowchart for your restaurant business:

1. Organizes the operations of a business.

2. Provides easy-to-follow process documents for employees.

3. Reduces employee training requirements.

4. Sets standards and desired outputs for work processes.

5. Improves conversation and efficiency within the company.

What Is the Best Way of Documenting Business Processes?

There are various methods of documenting business processes. You can use a flowchart diagram to map out your workflow processes. However, if you are looking for something really simple, you can try a checklist app.

The most important thing is that whatever method you choose is able to capture your workflow. In the long run, it should be easy for your team to follow.

How Do I Organize Business Processes In a Developing Startup?

Here's a checklist of how you can organize your startup restaurant business processes :

1. Map out business processes.

2. Implement the business process flow chart.

3. Analyze and review set KPIs.

4. Monitor and adjust the process as needed.

5. Use restaurant management software.

The hospitality business is not for the faint of heart. Having a business process in place with the perfect hospitality software will help to grow your restaurant startup.

To Sum It All Up

Running a new restaurant business can be difficult if you do not have the perfect plan in place. A flowchart simplifies things and gives you an excellent head start.

It does not matter if you are operating a small business. As long as you have plans to expand someday in the books, it’s best if you think about process flow-charting.

The 8 Best Free Flowchart Templates [+ Examples]

Published: March 29, 2023

A flowchart template will help you easily map out business processes, improve workflows, and even clarify your organizational structure — without you needing to draw a single line from scratch.

And if you think you don’t need to use flowcharts for business, think again. While bulleted lists, Word documents, or even presentations help, they don’t offer the same level of visual clarity and readability that a flowchart does. Especially if you’re trying to map out a process with different steps or stages.

Before we share the best flowchart templates, let’s answer an important question: what is a flowchart, and what can you use it for?

What is a flowchart?

A flowchart is a visual map to help explain a process for decision-making, achieving results, or projecting an outcome. Flowcharts begin at a starting point on the graphic, and as users follow through it, they will choose one of several outcomes or options until reaching the end of the process.

Flowcharts are ideal for outlining processes, and processes are the backbone of a strong business.

A clear, repeatable process has two major hurdles to a successful implementation in a business. Number one is the development of that process, and number two is getting buy-in from stakeholders on that process. That said, the best way to overcome both of these potential roadblocks is to transparently and logically outline a process.

Many businesses use flowcharts to carry out this task, as flowcharts visually outline a process roadmap for a full-scope understanding. They can also be easily digested by employees who need to know and follow the process.

16 Free Timeline & Flowchart Templates

Visualize processes and timelines with these free templates.

• Company Project Timeline
• A/B Testing Flowchart
• Onboarding Flowchart

You're all set!

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Download 8 Free Flowchart Templates

Fill out the form to get your free flowchart templates..

In a business, flowcharts might be used for any of the following purposes:

• Team and organizational alignment : An organizational structure diagram clarifies who reports to whom in your team.
• Data management : A data flow diagram will help you understand how information progresses through your business up until deletion.
• Sales process mapping : Creating a sales process flowchart can help you shorten the sales cycle and increase revenue.
• Email nurturing : Email campaigns are famously dependent on workflows , which are a type of flowchart that decides who to enroll in a campaign and when.
• Customer journey mapping : A customer journey flowchart shows how customers find you and what their experience is like at your business.
• Customer or employee onboarding : A customer onboarding process flow can help you define what messaging to send and when during your customer’s first interactions with your business.
• A/B testing : When designing an A/B test , you’ll typically use a flowchart to figure out how many versions you’ll test and the potential results you’ll get.

You can also use flowcharts for QA-ing work, mapping out your career progression, and much, much more.

To help you create actionable flowcharts for your organization, we’ve listed the best flowchart templates for you to download and start using today to create a better process in any area of your business. Each one comes with a download link for you to start using that template right on Google Slides.

Flowchart Templates for Business

1. basic process flowchart template.

Download this Template

This basic flow chart template is the ideal solution for those just getting started with flowcharts. The template allows its designers to specify a starting point, two potential outcomes, and then the resulting aftermath of those decisions. Due to its limitations, this flowchart template might be best suited for basic processes, like a simple A/B test.

Who should use this flowchart?

This flowchart is helpful for those looking to design an A/B test to determine the best way to get the results they're looking for.

What We Like About This Flowchart Template

The basic process flowchart is easy to use and follow and is ideal for documenting straightforward or simple processes.

2. Swim Lane Flowchart Template

The swim lane flowchart template divides the steps of a process into different sectors. For your business, these different sectors could be time periods, teams, employees, or work requirements.

Swim lane flowcharts are particularly helpful for those who oversee cross-functional processes.

This template visualizes the different process steps that take place across multiple teams or organizations.

3. Task Flowchart Template

A task flowchart template simplifies complex processes with unique shapes. Each shape on the flowchart represents something different, forming a quick visual key.

This format is helpful when the work of several teams intertwines throughout a process. This is because it makes it easier for team members to figure out the tasks they're responsible for . These roles are often noted in a key on the flowchart for quick reference.

The shapes can also represent different types of actions.

Project managers looking to keep track of various tasks and their outcomes.

The task flowchart visually depicts how various contributions to a product support the end result. Each stakeholder can see how their tasks impact the flow of the project.

4. Complex Flowchart Template

For a flowchart that doesn’t need gridlines or different shapes, this template is the best solution. It offers the option for multiple endpoints depending on which steps are taken throughout the process. Then it uses simple yes or no answers to drive you toward the endpoint.

Teams looking to manage processes that could have various endpoints or projects that have multiple steps and stakeholders involved.

Complex processes can be difficult to keep track of. This flow chart template creates an intuitive visual for multi-step processes. This makes it easier to figure out if and when you should move forward.

5. Circular Flowchart Template

The circular flow chart template changes things up with a different shape, but it also offers a different path structure. It helps you outline both short and long processes, with different outcomes depending on the number of steps required.

Social media managers, product marketers, and content strategists may find this template suits their needs.

This template has a cleaner appearance than some of the more complex flowcharts and may be better for visual learners.

6. Linear Flowchart Template

A linear flowchart template is a solution for when there’s only one optimal result. Every step of the process will either lead someone to that outcome or result in the process simply ending.

Email marketing specialists and sales teams can benefit from this template because there’s typically one goal: to earn one more subscriber or earn one more customer.

With one singular goal, this flowchart format has a clear beginning and end and makes it easy to outline a simple process.

7. Tree Flowchart Template

A tree-style flowchart template makes the most sense for situations where there are multiple choices and when each option has a clear and distinct next step.

For businesses, this flowchart would be perfect for the support department — which can use this template to map out responses from automated chat support or a phone tree.

Each action has a clear next step and a predetermined outcome, but you can add more than two options — which is often not applicable to other flowcharts.

8. Organizational Flowchart Template

The final flowchart businesses might want to use is an organizational flowchart (or org chart ) template. This is an essential chart that shows who reports to whom and helps all employees understand their position in the business.

Company and department heads use this template to outline the chain of command in an area of the business. Human Resources teams can also use it to inform team structure and organizational decisions.

Users can see team structure at-a-glance and can quickly find who they need to go to for their project or to have their questions answered.

Now that we’ve shared the best flowchart templates, it’s time to look at them in action.

Flowchart Examples for Business

1. basic process flowchart example.

This template visualizes how a user visiting a company's landing page could convert and become a lead. Notice how there are two potential final outcomes, but because of this chart’s simplicity, you can add as many outcomes as you want. With a flowchart like this, it’s important to have clear, defined goals in mind.

2. Swimlane Flowchart Example

In the example above, the swimlanes are divided by department to illustrate the process of the customer journey. This is exceedingly important for determining which teams need to interact with a customer and when. Without a swimlane flowchart outlining these roles, your customers’ experience with your company can seem haphazard and poorly planned.

3. Task Flowchart Example

In the example above, the different shapes represent the start of, end of, and actions taken during the process of viewing a landing page. This task flowchart example follows an "if this, then that" format. It shows the various outcomes that could occur when a potential customer visits a landing page.

4. Complex Flowchart Example

The above hiring visual is an example of a complex flowchart with many events and potential outcomes. It offers two potential outcomes at every stage. Then it shows with clarity what happens as a candidate moves forward. The colors also make it clear which final outcomes are positive or negative.

5. Circular Flowchart Example

In the example above, a circular flow chart offers a decision-making framework. Here, it’s used to help a social media manager figure out which site to post content on. It includes specific, targeted questions that define the assets the social media manager needs to create and which social platforms these assets are best suited for.

6. Linear Flowchart Example

A linear flowchart can be used for processes that have only one desired outcome. In the above example, it’s for an email nurturing sequence. In the image, the process ends whether someone signs up for an event or not.

A time-bound (or finite) email nurturing sequence is especially a good fit for these types of flowcharts. For continuous email marketing campaigns, you might need a more agile flowchart where you can determine when to move a subscriber to another email list.

7. Tree Flowchart Example

In this tree flowchart example, a business depicts the choices and next steps a caller can take when contacting them by telephone. Notice that there are many endpoints for the customer depending on their previous action.

A flowchart like this is useful if you’re trying to outline a process with different "branches." For instance, you might create a landing page flowchart that determines which form or CTA is depicted to a customer based on their previous activity on your website.

8. Organizational Flowchart Example

While not exactly procedural, this visualization helps those within the company quickly understand who reports to whom and who handles what. The best part of this example is that it can be as detailed or as simple as you’d like it to be; you can go down to your junior individual contributors or simply outline your leadership map.

Top Flowchart Tools and Software [Free and Paid]

Flowchart templates are incredibly useful for solving business problems and simplifying processes. That said, some issues need more custom solutions.

The flowchart tools below can help your team connect and work together on flowcharts. They make it simple to create unique and easy-to-read flow charts.

Pricing : Free, with paid options for extended features and enterprises.

Who should use this tool?

Teams that use flowcharts for a wide variety of users and stakeholders. This tool is also helpful for teams that create flow charts collaboratively or want to include multiple flowcharts in a single document.

What We Like About It

Miro offers tools to build and plan complex flowcharts for teams. Besides visual whiteboard tools, Miro also offers templates for strategy mapping, workflows, UX design, and more. Features like digital sticky notes make it easy to add comments to in-progress flowcharts.

2. diagrams.net

Pricing : Free

This open-source technology is simple and quick to use for practical flowcharts and process mapping.

What We Like About This Flowchart Software

Create process diagrams for modeling, databases, networks, wireframes, and more. This tool is popular with users who want diagramming software for immediate business application. This flowchart tool also includes customizable templates.

3. Zen Flowchart

Pricing : Free, with paid options for extended features.

Casual users and enterprise companies looking for web-based flowchart software.

Zen Flowchart is simple to use with a wide range of features. You can create mind maps, wireframes, or whiteboards with this drag-and-drop tool. Its simple workspace helps limit distractions so you can focus on your business process.

This flowchart tool also has features for collaboration and real-time commenting.

4. Lucidchart

Pricing : Free, with paid options for extended features and enterprise.

Who should use this flowchart tool?

Lucidchart offers features for both individual users and collaborative professional teams.

What We Like About This Flowchart Tool

Besides real-time collaboration and ease of use, this diagram software also has a range of advanced features. You can personalize flowcharts with custom shapes and a library of shapes and icons. Automated diagramming can help new users create a flowchart without time-consuming edits and tweaks.

Integrations with Atlassian, Zapier, Notion, and more are also super useful. These connections can help integrate flowchart collaboration into your current tech stack and workflows.

5. Textografo

Pricing : Starts at $4/month.

This text-to-diagram generator is a simple way for less visually-oriented users to create flowcharts. It's for users who understand the value of graphical flow diagrams but also may not be as quick or comfortable with visual tools.

This flowchart tool offers a different approach to flowchart creation that can save many users time and effort. Textografo can help users create a flowchart, mindmap, decision trees, or animated diagrams. Users can also collaborate on the process with this online tool.

This cloud-based and user-friendly tool is useful for a variety of users and teams.

Cacoo is a comprehensive tool that makes it easy to personalize flowcharts for a range of uses. Whether you're creating a marketing flowchart with imported images or a wireframe with custom symbols, this tool can help. This resource also offers collaboration tools and integrations with Adobe Creative Cloud, Zapier, and more.

The central dashboard is also helpful for understanding everything your project needs at a glance.

7. Microsoft Visio

Pricing : Starts at $5/month.

Visio is an intuitive flow chart tool for Microsoft 365 users.

This flowchart tool can help you create complex flowcharts or simple diagrams. The interface and styling are familiar to many business users, which can help speed up the process of visualizing complex ideas. It also offers themes to improve the look of your flowcharts.

Visio also comes with hundreds of templates for a range of industry needs. It also makes it simple to import data from Excel, Access, and other Microsoft sources.

Using Business Flowchart Templates

Business flowchart templates are the fastest and easiest way to build flowcharts. All the above templates are downloadable and completely customizable when it comes to shape, format, color, and imagery. Click below to download the templates for free to better illustrate and communicate processes in your company.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in July 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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How to Create a Business Process Diagram (With Examples)

In a perfect world, every business process would be documented. Employees would have everything they need to do their jobs and would know exactly how to carry out each step.

But this isn’t always the case — 60% of employees find it difficult to get the information they need for their work. This suggests that companies aren’t doing enough to document their processes, which can lead to inconsistent results.

So how can you improve your processes? And how can you ensure that employees have the information they need to do their jobs well?

Using a business process diagram is a good place to start.

In this article, we’ll cover what a business process diagram is, how it can help your company, and how to create one. We’ll also look at using business process automation software to document and automate your processes.

Click the links below to jump straight to the section you want to learn more about :

• What Is a Business Process Diagram? 
• How Does a Business Process Diagram Help Your Business? 

5 Essential Parts of a Business Process Diagram

7 steps to create a business process diagram, what is a business process diagram.

A business process diagram is a visual representation of a process that your company carries out to achieve a goal. It uses standardized symbols to describe each step of the process.

You can use a business process diagram to depict anything from onboarding new hires to developing and launching a new product.

Typically, a business process diagram will look like a flowchart. It could be a basic flowchart, or it could be a more complex cross-functional flowchart that spans multiple departments.

Here’s an example of a business process diagram for purchase orders:

Creating a business process diagram is the first step to improving operational efficiency. It can help you understand how a process works, allowing you to identify inefficiencies that may not have been obvious before.

When you share your process diagram with colleagues, higher-ups, and stakeholders, you can get feedback on how to adjust and optimize the process. 

If you think your business processes are as efficient as possible, think again: 68% of organizations saw key processes break down in the rapid shift to remote work in 2020. 

Using a business process diagram increases productivity, minimizes errors, and facilitates digital transformation when you combine it with workflow automation software.

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of business process diagrams.

How Does a Business Process Diagram Help Your Business?

Business process diagrams contain plenty of valuable information for your business. They show you how your processes actually work, not just how you think they should work.

That’s incredibly useful. 

When you use that information to identify roadblocks and optimize your workflows, your entire business benefits. Here’s how a business process diagram benefits your company.

Increases Efficiency and Productivity

44% of organizations measured the return on investment (ROI) of their business processes through how much time employees saved. The results? 66% of departments that prioritize automation say they reduced time spent on manual tasks by 11–30%. 

Reduces Business Costs

A business process diagram breaks down each step of a process, which can help you identify automation opportunities and lower operating costs. 46% of departments that prioritize process automation say they’ve reduced costs by 11–30%. 

Increases Transparency

With a clear process diagram, every team member can see what they need to do. Business process models extend this idea, helping everyone see how they’re part of the larger picture.

Creates a Record of Institutional Knowledge

When employees leave the organization, they take a lot of knowledge with them. If that information isn’t documented, it’s likely gone forever. Creating a business process diagram and keeping it updated helps preserve company knowledge.

Reduces Errors and Redundancies

When everyone knows their role in a business process, you’ll get fewer mistakes and fewer instances of people doing the same work twice. 

Prefer to see and hear it rather than read about it? Let us show you how easy it is.

Improves the Employee and Customer Experience

Employees and customers appreciate when processes move quickly, whether that’s returning an item or getting all your new hire documents signed. 

With business process diagrams, you can speed up your processes while also keeping them accurate, leading to better employee and customer experiences.

While any part of a business can benefit from process mapping and automation, some departments will get a higher ROI than others.

The following departments see the highest ROI from process automation, according to a Salesforce study:

• Operations: 47%
• Customer service: 37%

Before you can start creating a business process diagram, you need to understand how it’s structured.

A key goal of business process mapping is to connect different sources and types of information. 

The average business process has five components. Think through where to look or who you’ll collaborate with to find the following pieces of information:

• Goal or outcome: What is the end result of the business process? Define Points A and B, so you can fill in the blanks later in the process. 
• Steps of the existing process: What are the main steps of the process? Communicate with your team about the steps they follow or perform the process in its entirety yourself. If any step includes a subprocess, note that here, too. 
• People or departments involved: What skills or resources are needed to complete this process? Do specific people or departments need to be involved? Keep in mind that different steps may require different people. For example, contracts may need to go through multiple rounds of approval before they’re processed.
• Rules or conditions for moving from step to step: Does the process change depending on who is involved, such as a new or important client, or other factors like budget and time limits? 
• Software, tools, or devices: What resources do you need to complete the process? This could include anything from a customer support platform that logs customer complaints to BPM tools that track vacation requests. Make sure everyone who needs access to these tools has it. 

You’ll also need to consider how you’ll create, share, and manage the business process diagram. Using a BPM tool with plenty of customization options like frevvo, you’ll be able to create workflow diagrams that meet your needs. 

Now, let’s go step by step through creating a business diagram. 

This exercise is sometimes called business process mapping . The goal is to create a business process flow diagram , often known as a flow chart. 

By the end of these steps, you’ll have more than a process flowchart — you’ll have a fully automated business workflow. 

1. Outline Your Business Process 

When you begin your business process map, start by writing out the steps of the process as you understand them. You can do this on scrap paper, a whiteboard, or a mind map tool.

Consider all the components listed in the previous section, as well as anything that might be unique to your organization. If you have a project management tool or other records, use those to track the current state of your business process.

2. Gather Necessary Information

Make a list of any gaps in your initial outline of the business process flowchart. Then, figure out where to find that information. 

You’ll also need to do some of your own brainstorming. If there are any obvious breakdowns in the business process, how can you fix them? Who can you recruit to help find a solution? 

This is also a good time to think about who will fill each role in your business process. Some steps may be tied to certain positions, like managers or vice presidents, but you may need to designate someone to carry out certain aspects of your process. 

3. Have Colleagues Offer Feedback 

Before you move forward with your business process diagram, get insight from other people who use this process. They may have information or ideas that you can’t see from your position. 

Ideally, you’ll get feedback from someone who is involved at each stage of the business process. This will help you build out the organizational context of your business process, which helps you best optimize it. 

Next, refine your rough draft of the process map according to the feedback you received.

4. Build Your Business Process With a BPM Tool

The best way to visualize a process is to use a business process management tool.

A BPM tool like frevvo can help you create flowchart diagrams using standardized notions that’s easy enough for your whole team to understand. You can also use the code-free workflow builder to create and automate your diagram to speed things up.

5. Assign Roles

At each step of your business process flowchart , designate specific people or types of users who are responsible for the tasks there. 

For instance, if you’re creating a purchase order approval workflow , you may need to assign approvers at the manager level and in the finance department.

When you create a new workflow in frevvo, you can assign approval steps to individual users based on their roles.

By integrating data sources with frevvo, you can autofill information like managers and chains of approval. This will make it easier to have a business process that adapts to your workflow.

6. Set Rules and Conditions 

The next step is to set up the rules and conditions that govern your automations. While this might sound intimidating, frevvo has wizards to walk you through setting up the controls and rules you need. 

Your rules and conditions help your process run as smoothly as possible. When set up correctly, everything seamlessly moves between people, devices, and tools, so the process doesn’t get stuck.

For example, let’s say that invoice approvals are painfully slow. Employees have to constantly chase down their managers for signatures, which makes the process take even longer.

In frevvo, you can create an invoice approval workflow that automatically routes forms to the right approver to sign. You can also add dynamic routing into your workflow (e.g., route an invoice to a senior executive for additional approval above a certain value).

Here’s an example of how this looks:

Approved invoices route directly to the finance department to issue payment.

By outlining what should happen in the case of almost any outcome, you can keep errors to a minimum. There’s always a clear plan of what should happen, so nothing falls through the cracks. 

7. Launch and Test Your Business Process

Before you launch your automated business process, test out your process automation with your team. You may need to make a few small changes so that it runs correctly. 

If needed, train your employees on how the process works or how to use your BPM tool. Since transparency is a key benefit of business process mapping, it’s essential that your team has what they need. 

Remember that BPM isn’t a one-time activity. You’ll always be monitoring, optimizing, and improving your business processes. With frevvo, you can easily make changes whenever you need to. 

Create Your Business Process Diagram Now

A business process diagram helps you visualize your workflows so you can optimize them. 

As you create your business process diagrams, be sure to get insight from everyone on your team. You’ll also want to make sure everyone understands their role in the business process. 

Then, convert your diagram into an automated business process using frevvo, which you can try for 30 days here .

Related posts:

• 12 Crucial Features Your Workflow System Needs
• Business Process Management: The Complete Guide
• The 6 Step Guide to Performing Business Process Analysis

Author: frevvoblog

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Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Simple Business Plan

By Joe Weller | October 11, 2021

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A business plan is the cornerstone of any successful company, regardless of size or industry. This step-by-step guide provides information on writing a business plan for organizations at any stage, complete with free templates and expert advice. 

Included on this page, you’ll find a step-by-step guide to writing a business plan and a chart to identify which type of business plan you should write . Plus, find information on how a business plan can help grow a business and expert tips on writing one .

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan is a document that communicates a company’s goals and ambitions, along with the timeline, finances, and methods needed to achieve them. Additionally, it may include a mission statement and details about the specific products or services offered.

A business plan can highlight varying time periods, depending on the stage of your company and its goals. That said, a typical business plan will include the following benchmarks:

• Product goals and deadlines for each month
• Monthly financials for the first two years
• Profit and loss statements for the first three to five years
• Balance sheet projections for the first three to five years

Startups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses all create business plans to use as a guide as their new company progresses. Larger organizations may also create (and update) a business plan to keep high-level goals, financials, and timelines in check.

While you certainly need to have a formalized outline of your business’s goals and finances, creating a business plan can also help you determine a company’s viability, its profitability (including when it will first turn a profit), and how much money you will need from investors. In turn, a business plan has functional value as well: Not only does outlining goals help keep you accountable on a timeline, it can also attract investors in and of itself and, therefore, act as an effective strategy for growth.

For more information, visit our comprehensive guide to writing a strategic plan or download free strategic plan templates . This page focuses on for-profit business plans, but you can read our article with nonprofit business plan templates .

Business Plan Steps

The specific information in your business plan will vary, depending on the needs and goals of your venture, but a typical plan includes the following ordered elements:

• Executive summary
• Description of business
• Market analysis
• Competitive analysis
• Description of organizational management
• Description of product or services
• Marketing plan
• Sales strategy
• Funding details (or request for funding)
• Financial projections

If your plan is particularly long or complicated, consider adding a table of contents or an appendix for reference. For an in-depth description of each step listed above, read “ How to Write a Business Plan Step by Step ” below.

Broadly speaking, your audience includes anyone with a vested interest in your organization. They can include potential and existing investors, as well as customers, internal team members, suppliers, and vendors.

Do I Need a Simple or Detailed Plan?

Your business’s stage and intended audience dictates the level of detail your plan needs. Corporations require a thorough business plan — up to 100 pages. Small businesses or startups should have a concise plan focusing on financials and strategy.

How to Choose the Right Plan for Your Business

In order to identify which type of business plan you need to create, ask: “What do we want the plan to do?” Identify function first, and form will follow.

Use the chart below as a guide for what type of business plan to create:

Is the Order of Your Business Plan Important?

There is no set order for a business plan, with the exception of the executive summary, which should always come first. Beyond that, simply ensure that you organize the plan in a way that makes sense and flows naturally.

The Difference Between Traditional and Lean Business Plans

A traditional business plan follows the standard structure — because these plans encourage detail, they tend to require more work upfront and can run dozens of pages. A Lean business plan is less common and focuses on summarizing critical points for each section. These plans take much less work and typically run one page in length.

In general, you should use a traditional model for a legacy company, a large company, or any business that does not adhere to Lean (or another Agile method ). Use Lean if you expect the company to pivot quickly or if you already employ a Lean strategy with other business operations. Additionally, a Lean business plan can suffice if the document is for internal use only. Stick to a traditional version for investors, as they may be more sensitive to sudden changes or a high degree of built-in flexibility in the plan.

How to Write a Business Plan Step by Step

Writing a strong business plan requires research and attention to detail for each section. Below, you’ll find a 10-step guide to researching and defining each element in the plan.

Step 1: Executive Summary

The executive summary will always be the first section of your business plan. The goal is to answer the following questions:

• What is the vision and mission of the company?
• What are the company’s short- and long-term goals?

See our  roundup of executive summary examples and templates for samples. Read our executive summary guide to learn more about writing one.

Step 2: Description of Business

The goal of this section is to define the realm, scope, and intent of your venture. To do so, answer the following questions as clearly and concisely as possible:

• What business are we in?
• What does our business do?

Step 3: Market Analysis

In this section, provide evidence that you have surveyed and understand the current marketplace, and that your product or service satisfies a niche in the market. To do so, answer these questions:

• Who is our customer? 
• What does that customer value?

Step 4: Competitive Analysis

In many cases, a business plan proposes not a brand-new (or even market-disrupting) venture, but a more competitive version — whether via features, pricing, integrations, etc. — than what is currently available. In this section, answer the following questions to show that your product or service stands to outpace competitors:

• Who is the competition? 
• What do they do best? 
• What is our unique value proposition?

Step 5: Description of Organizational Management

In this section, write an overview of the team members and other key personnel who are integral to success. List roles and responsibilities, and if possible, note the hierarchy or team structure.

Step 6: Description of Products or Services

In this section, clearly define your product or service, as well as all the effort and resources that go into producing it. The strength of your product largely defines the success of your business, so it’s imperative that you take time to test and refine the product before launching into marketing, sales, or funding details.

Questions to answer in this section are as follows:

• What is the product or service?
• How do we produce it, and what resources are necessary for production?

Step 7: Marketing Plan

In this section, define the marketing strategy for your product or service. This doesn’t need to be as fleshed out as a full marketing plan , but it should answer basic questions, such as the following:

• Who is the target market (if different from existing customer base)?
• What channels will you use to reach your target market?
• What resources does your marketing strategy require, and do you have access to them?
• If possible, do you have a rough estimate of timeline and budget?
• How will you measure success?

Step 8: Sales Plan

Write an overview of the sales strategy, including the priorities of each cycle, steps to achieve these goals, and metrics for success. For the purposes of a business plan, this section does not need to be a comprehensive, in-depth sales plan , but can simply outline the high-level objectives and strategies of your sales efforts. 

Start by answering the following questions:

• What is the sales strategy?
• What are the tools and tactics you will use to achieve your goals?
• What are the potential obstacles, and how will you overcome them?
• What is the timeline for sales and turning a profit?
• What are the metrics of success?

Step 9: Funding Details (or Request for Funding)

This section is one of the most critical parts of your business plan, particularly if you are sharing it with investors. You do not need to provide a full financial plan, but you should be able to answer the following questions:

• How much capital do you currently have? How much capital do you need?
• How will you grow the team (onboarding, team structure, training and development)?
• What are your physical needs and constraints (space, equipment, etc.)?

Step 10: Financial Projections

Apart from the fundraising analysis, investors like to see thought-out financial projections for the future. As discussed earlier, depending on the scope and stage of your business, this could be anywhere from one to five years. 

While these projections won’t be exact — and will need to be somewhat flexible — you should be able to gauge the following:

• How and when will the company first generate a profit?
• How will the company maintain profit thereafter?

Business Plan Template

Download Business Plan Template

Microsoft Excel | Smartsheet

This basic business plan template has space for all the traditional elements: an executive summary, product or service details, target audience, marketing and sales strategies, etc. In the finances sections, input your baseline numbers, and the template will automatically calculate projections for sales forecasting, financial statements, and more.

For templates tailored to more specific needs, visit this business plan template roundup or download a fill-in-the-blank business plan template to make things easy. 

If you are looking for a particular template by file type, visit our pages dedicated exclusively to Microsoft Excel , Microsoft Word , and Adobe PDF business plan templates.

How to Write a Simple Business Plan

A simple business plan is a streamlined, lightweight version of the large, traditional model. As opposed to a one-page business plan , which communicates high-level information for quick overviews (such as a stakeholder presentation), a simple business plan can exceed one page.

Below are the steps for creating a generic simple business plan, which are reflected in the template below .

• Write the Executive Summary This section is the same as in the traditional business plan — simply offer an overview of what’s in the business plan, the prospect or core offering, and the short- and long-term goals of the company. 
• Add a Company Overview Document the larger company mission and vision. 
• Provide the Problem and Solution In straightforward terms, define the problem you are attempting to solve with your product or service and how your company will attempt to do it. Think of this section as the gap in the market you are attempting to close.
• Identify the Target Market Who is your company (and its products or services) attempting to reach? If possible, briefly define your buyer personas .
• Write About the Competition In this section, demonstrate your knowledge of the market by listing the current competitors and outlining your competitive advantage.
• Describe Your Product or Service Offerings Get down to brass tacks and define your product or service. What exactly are you selling?
• Outline Your Marketing Tactics Without getting into too much detail, describe your planned marketing initiatives.
• Add a Timeline and the Metrics You Will Use to Measure Success Offer a rough timeline, including milestones and key performance indicators (KPIs) that you will use to measure your progress.
• Include Your Financial Forecasts Write an overview of your financial plan that demonstrates you have done your research and adequate modeling. You can also list key assumptions that go into this forecasting. 
• Identify Your Financing Needs This section is where you will make your funding request. Based on everything in the business plan, list your proposed sources of funding, as well as how you will use it.

Simple Business Plan Template

Download Simple Business Plan Template

Microsoft Excel |  Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF  | Smartsheet

Use this simple business plan template to outline each aspect of your organization, including information about financing and opportunities to seek out further funding. This template is completely customizable to fit the needs of any business, whether it’s a startup or large company.

Read our article offering free simple business plan templates or free 30-60-90-day business plan templates to find more tailored options. You can also explore our collection of one page business templates . 

How to Write a Business Plan for a Lean Startup

A Lean startup business plan is a more Agile approach to a traditional version. The plan focuses more on activities, processes, and relationships (and maintains flexibility in all aspects), rather than on concrete deliverables and timelines.

While there is some overlap between a traditional and a Lean business plan, you can write a Lean plan by following the steps below:

• Add Your Value Proposition Take a streamlined approach to describing your product or service. What is the unique value your startup aims to deliver to customers? Make sure the team is aligned on the core offering and that you can state it in clear, simple language.
• List Your Key Partners List any other businesses you will work with to realize your vision, including external vendors, suppliers, and partners. This section demonstrates that you have thoughtfully considered the resources you can provide internally, identified areas for external assistance, and conducted research to find alternatives.
• Note the Key Activities Describe the key activities of your business, including sourcing, production, marketing, distribution channels, and customer relationships.
• Include Your Key Resources List the critical resources — including personnel, equipment, space, and intellectual property — that will enable you to deliver your unique value.
• Identify Your Customer Relationships and Channels In this section, document how you will reach and build relationships with customers. Provide a high-level map of the customer experience from start to finish, including the spaces in which you will interact with the customer (online, retail, etc.). 
• Detail Your Marketing Channels Describe the marketing methods and communication platforms you will use to identify and nurture your relationships with customers. These could be email, advertising, social media, etc.
• Explain the Cost Structure This section is especially necessary in the early stages of a business. Will you prioritize maximizing value or keeping costs low? List the foundational startup costs and how you will move toward profit over time.
• Share Your Revenue Streams Over time, how will the company make money? Include both the direct product or service purchase, as well as secondary sources of revenue, such as subscriptions, selling advertising space, fundraising, etc.

Lean Business Plan Template for Startups

Download Lean Business Plan Template for Startups

Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF

Startup leaders can use this Lean business plan template to relay the most critical information from a traditional plan. You’ll find all the sections listed above, including spaces for industry and product overviews, cost structure and sources of revenue, and key metrics, and a timeline. The template is completely customizable, so you can edit it to suit the objectives of your Lean startups.

See our wide variety of  startup business plan templates for more options.

How to Write a Business Plan for a Loan

A business plan for a loan, often called a loan proposal , includes many of the same aspects of a traditional business plan, as well as additional financial documents, such as a credit history, a loan request, and a loan repayment plan.

In addition, you may be asked to include personal and business financial statements, a form of collateral, and equity investment information.

Download free financial templates to support your business plan.

Tips for Writing a Business Plan

Outside of including all the key details in your business plan, you have several options to elevate the document for the highest chance of winning funding and other resources. Follow these tips from experts:.

• Keep It Simple: Avner Brodsky , the Co-Founder and CEO of Lezgo Limited, an online marketing company, uses the acronym KISS (keep it short and simple) as a variation on this idea. “The business plan is not a college thesis,” he says. “Just focus on providing the essential information.”
• Do Adequate Research: Michael Dean, the Co-Founder of Pool Research , encourages business leaders to “invest time in research, both internal and external (market, finance, legal etc.). Avoid being overly ambitious or presumptive. Instead, keep everything objective, balanced, and accurate.” Your plan needs to stand on its own, and you must have the data to back up any claims or forecasting you make. As Brodsky explains, “Your business needs to be grounded on the realities of the market in your chosen location. Get the most recent data from authoritative sources so that the figures are vetted by experts and are reliable.”
• Set Clear Goals: Make sure your plan includes clear, time-based goals. “Short-term goals are key to momentum growth and are especially important to identify for new businesses,” advises Dean.
• Know (and Address) Your Weaknesses: “This awareness sets you up to overcome your weak points much quicker than waiting for them to arise,” shares Dean. Brodsky recommends performing a full SWOT analysis to identify your weaknesses, too. “Your business will fare better with self-knowledge, which will help you better define the mission of your business, as well as the strategies you will choose to achieve your objectives,” he adds.
• Seek Peer or Mentor Review: “Ask for feedback on your drafts and for areas to improve,” advises Brodsky. “When your mind is filled with dreams for your business, sometimes it is an outsider who can tell you what you’re missing and will save your business from being a product of whimsy.”

Outside of these more practical tips, the language you use is also important and may make or break your business plan.

Shaun Heng, VP of Operations at Coin Market Cap , gives the following advice on the writing, “Your business plan is your sales pitch to an investor. And as with any sales pitch, you need to strike the right tone and hit a few emotional chords. This is a little tricky in a business plan, because you also need to be formal and matter-of-fact. But you can still impress by weaving in descriptive language and saying things in a more elegant way.

“A great way to do this is by expanding your vocabulary, avoiding word repetition, and using business language. Instead of saying that something ‘will bring in as many customers as possible,’ try saying ‘will garner the largest possible market segment.’ Elevate your writing with precise descriptive words and you'll impress even the busiest investor.”

Additionally, Dean recommends that you “stay consistent and concise by keeping your tone and style steady throughout, and your language clear and precise. Include only what is 100 percent necessary.”

Resources for Writing a Business Plan

While a template provides a great outline of what to include in a business plan, a live document or more robust program can provide additional functionality, visibility, and real-time updates. The U.S. Small Business Association also curates resources for writing a business plan.

Additionally, you can use business plan software to house data, attach documentation, and share information with stakeholders. Popular options include LivePlan, Enloop, BizPlanner, PlanGuru, and iPlanner.

How a Business Plan Helps to Grow Your Business

A business plan — both the exercise of creating one and the document — can grow your business by helping you to refine your product, target audience, sales plan, identify opportunities, secure funding, and build new partnerships. 

Outside of these immediate returns, writing a business plan is a useful exercise in that it forces you to research the market, which prompts you to forge your unique value proposition and identify ways to beat the competition. Doing so will also help you build (and keep you accountable to) attainable financial and product milestones. And down the line, it will serve as a welcome guide as hurdles inevitably arise.

Streamline Your Business Planning Activities with Real-Time Work Management in Smartsheet

Empower your people to go above and beyond with a flexible platform designed to match the needs of your team — and adapt as those needs change. 

The Smartsheet platform makes it easy to plan, capture, manage, and report on work from anywhere, helping your team be more effective and get more done. Report on key metrics and get real-time visibility into work as it happens with roll-up reports, dashboards, and automated workflows built to keep your team connected and informed. 

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Top 5 Business Plan Chart Example Templates with Samples

Kavesh Malhotra

Tim Fargo once said,  " Good intentions might sound nice, but it’s positive actions that matter. "  

This quote highlights the importance of not only creating a business plan but also executing it effectively. This is where business plan charts come in; they provide a roadmap for businesses to follow which ensures that they stay on track in achieving their goals.

There is no doubt that business planning is an essential element of any successful venture, and a well-executed plan can make a significant difference to business success. As mentioned above, one of the most critical components of a business plan is the use of charts to display information in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand manner. 

SlideTeam is delighted to present its selection of the Top 5 Business Plan Chart Templates with Samples . These templates are designed to assist owners, managers, and other professionals involved in business management to create a comprehensive and effective business plan that fulfills the needs of end-users and stakeholders alike.

Utilizing these top 5 business plan chart templates can help companies in prioritizing tasks, creating a clear and concise communication plan , focusing on their strategy and critical goals, tracking their progress toward achieving their revenue targets, and expanding into new markets. 

Unlock your true potential as a business manager with our pre-designed PowerPoint Slides. These templates are the ultimate solution to all your business needs, providing you with the power to customize your tasks and plans in ways you never thought possible. With our structured content-ready slides, you'll have everything you need at your fingertips to streamline your workflow and optimize your productivity. 

We're here to have a closer look at each of our business plan ppt templates and help you choose the one that suits your specific business requirements. So, what are you waiting for? Download one of these templates today and become a master in designing a breakthrough plan!

Check Out our Top 5 Business Plan Chart Templates

Template 1: initial six-month business plan gantt chart.

This PowerPoint Slide presents a comprehensive roadmap for developing a successful business plan. It covers critical areas such as strategy, finance, personnel, customers, and finances. This PPT Template allows you to create a clear project plan by outlining important details like project start and end dates, status updates, and assigned teams. This chart facilitates effective collaboration among team members, enables you to share your product plans, and provides a platform for discussing project progress with executives. Additionally, the task management chart helps align your activities efficiently, while the template's versatility allows for high-level resource planning and flexible implementation, benefiting your business. Seize the opportunity to elevate your business plan with this top-rated template.

Download Now!

Template 2: Strategic Business Plan Flow Chart with Key Goals

This chart is an essential tool for an organization's strategic business planning. Its comprehensive set of slides covers key areas such as marketing strategy, SWOT analysis , and other vital tools that can help businesses identify their target customers and develop a successful business strategy . With this chart, companies can create a clear and concise communication plan that outlines their process and how it aligns with their target customers and market evaluation . Download this set of slides and take your business to the next level.

Template 3: Marketing Gantt Chart for Business Plan

This chart is ideal for businesses focusing on their digital marketing strategy and revenue sources . With this chart, companies can create a timeline for their marketing initiatives, such as advertising campaigns and social media promotions, and track their progress in achieving the revenue targets. This PowerPoint Template is a valuable tool for digital managers and social media team members for monitoring project progress and highlighting key milestones. It features a Gantt chart design that effectively showcases different social channels, timelines, and progress percentages. This template is a must-have for anyone looking to stay organized and efficiently manage their social marketing projects.

Template 4: New Business Development Planning Chart with Market Evaluation

This PPT Chart is perfect for enterprises looking to expand into fresh markets or launch new products or services. With this PPT Layout, businesses can conduct a SWOT analysis to identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and create a clear plan for entering new markets. It also clearly defines the New Business snapshot , Market evaluation , Expense Sources, and expected Revenue Sources . Download now and unleash the full potential of your new business development efforts.

Template 5: Business Plan Chart for Data Flat PowerPoint Design

This chart is perfect for businesses wanting to create a snapshot that provides a quick overview of their business plan. With this chart, businesses can display key information such as their target customers, revenue sources , and market evaluation in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand format. Download these templates via the link below, and start executing your business plan with confidence.

Bottom Line

Business plan charts are crucial for any business owner or manager looking to create a roadmap for success. Whether you're looking to visualize your business strategy, set key goals , conduct a SWOT analysis , plan a task timeline , develop strategies, or communicate plans to team members and stakeholders, we have a business plan chart template that can help you achieve your goals. By incorporating these templates into business planning, professionals can easily create visual representations of their plans, track progress, and make informed decisions based on their business snapshot , market evaluation , and revenue sources .

Professional Note:

Please visit here for more information on strategic business plan templates, business approaches, and other related topics. These templates incorporate many resources, including samples, descriptions, and USPs (unique selling points), to help professionals develop effective business plans and management strategies.

FAQs on Business Plan Chart

How do i make a business plan chart.

Making a business plan chart involves several steps that can be streamlined using pre-designed PowerPoint templates. Start by identifying the purpose of your business plan and defining key goals and objectives. Then, create a task timeline and identify the resources needed to achieve those goals. This can be done using a Gantt or flow chart, which helps you visualize your plan and track progress.

What Are The Four Types of Business Plans?

There are four types of business plans: strategic plans, operational plans, internal plans, and growth plans. 

Each plan serves a different purpose, such as outlining the company's business strategy , setting key goals , or evaluating market opportunities. A business plan often includes a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Why is a Business Plan Important?

A business plan is vital because it is a roadmap for the company's success. It outlines the company's key goals , strategies, and revenue sources and helps in identifying potential challenges and risks. A business plan also serves as a communication plan , allowing stakeholders to understand the company's vision and goals.

What Are the Elements of Business Plan?

The key elements of a business plan include:

• Business snapshot- It outlines the company's mission and values. 
• Market evaluation - It analyzes the target customers and competitors.
• Revenue sources - It identifies the company’s sources of income. 
• Marketing Gantt - It outlines the company's marketing strategy and task timeline.  

Other essential elements include financial, operational, and risk management plans. 

Related posts:

• Top 10 Business Development Strategy Templates with Samples and Examples
• Top 5 Business Plan Timeline Template with Samples and Examples
• Top 7 Corporate Strategy Templates with Samples and Examples
• Must-Have Freelance Business Plan Template to Achieve Long Term Success

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Demystifying procurement: a step-by-step guide with a business plan flow chart, introduction to procurement.

Welcome to the world of procurement, where strategy meets efficiency and smart decision-making reigns supreme! Whether you’re a small business owner or part of a large corporation, understanding the ins and outs of procurement is essential for success. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll demystify the process and shed light on how it can benefit your organization.

But first, let’s talk about what exactly procurement entails . Simply put, it involves acquiring goods or services from external sources to meet your company’s needs. This can range from purchasing raw materials for manufacturing to outsourcing IT support or even hiring consultants. By carefully navigating the procurement landscape, you can optimize costs while ensuring quality and reliability.

In this article, we’ll explore different types of procurement approaches that businesses commonly employ. We’ll also weigh their pros and cons so that you can make informed decisions tailored to your unique circumstances. But that’s not all – we’ll go one step further by introducing you to an invaluable tool in strategic planning: the business plan flow chart!

A business plan flow chart serves as a visual representation of your overall business goals and strategies. It offers clarity and structure by breaking down complex processes into manageable steps. Imagine having a clear roadmap at your disposal – one that guides every aspect of your decision-making process! With its help, you can streamline operations, identify bottlenecks, allocate resources effectively, and ultimately achieve those coveted objectives.

Curious about how to harness the power of a business plan flow chart? Fear not – we’ve got you covered! In this guide, we will walk you through practical tips on creating an effective flow chart tailored specifically to your organization’s needs.

So buckle up as we embark on this enlightening journey through the realm of procurement with our trusty companion – the powerful business plan flow chart! Together, let’s unlock new avenues for growth and success in today’s competitive market landscape

The Different Types of Procurement

Procurement is a crucial process for businesses of all sizes. It involves the acquisition of goods and services from external sources, ensuring that organizations have what they need to operate effectively. However, not all procurement processes are the same. In fact, there are different types of procurement that can be utilized based on specific needs and goals.

One common type of procurement is known as “direct procurement.” This involves acquiring goods or materials directly from suppliers for use in production or manufacturing processes. For example, a car manufacturer may procure raw materials such as steel or plastic from suppliers to build their vehicles.

Another type of procurement is called “indirect procurement.” This refers to the purchasing of goods and services that support the overall operations of an organization but do not directly contribute to its core products or services. Examples include office supplies, IT equipment, or maintenance services.

Additionally, there is strategic procurement which focuses on long-term supplier relationships and value creation. It involves careful planning and analysis to identify opportunities for cost savings or innovation within the supply chain.

We have centralized and decentralized procurement models. A centralized model consolidates purchasing decisions within a single department or team while a decentralized model allows individual departments or business units to make their own purchasing decisions based on their specific needs.

Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on factors such as industry requirements, organizational structure, budget constraints, and desired level of control over the supply chain. Understanding these different types can help businesses optimize their procurement strategies accordingly.

The Pros and Cons of Procurement

Pros and Cons of Procurement

When it comes to procurement, there are both advantages and disadvantages that businesses should consider. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons.

One of the major benefits of procurement is cost savings. By strategically sourcing materials and services, companies can negotiate better prices with suppliers, which ultimately leads to reducing expenses. This can have a significant impact on the bottom line.

Procurement helps ensure quality control . When businesses carefully select vendors and establish strict standards for goods or services, they can maintain consistent quality levels. This not only enhances customer satisfaction but also strengthens the company’s reputation in the market.

On the flip side, one potential drawback of procurement is increased complexity. Managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts , and monitoring performance require time and resources. Without proper planning and efficient processes in place, this could become overwhelming for businesses.

Moreover, another disadvantage is reduced flexibility. When organizations commit to long-term contracts with suppliers or lock themselves into specific agreements, they may lose agility in responding to market changes or adapting their strategies accordingly.

There’s always an inherent risk associated with relying heavily on external suppliers for essential inputs. Factors like supply chain disruptions or sudden price fluctuations can impact business operations negatively if not managed effectively.

In conclusion, procurement has its fair share of advantages as well as challenges that need careful consideration before implementation within a business framework.

What is a Business Plan Flow Chart?

A business plan flow chart is a visual representation of the steps and processes involved in creating and implementing a business plan. It provides an overview of the key components, such as market research, financial projections, marketing strategies, and operational activities.

The flow chart typically starts with identifying the objectives and goals of the business. This could include determining the target market, understanding customer needs, or defining specific targets for revenue growth. Once these objectives are established, the next step is to conduct thorough market research to gather essential data about competitors, industry trends, and potential opportunities.

After gathering relevant information from market research, it’s time to move on to developing a comprehensive marketing strategy. This involves outlining how you will position your product or service in the marketplace and reach your target audience effectively.

Financial planning plays a crucial role in any business plan. The flow chart should include sections dedicated to creating financial projections based on realistic assumptions regarding costs, sales volumes, pricing strategies, and profit margins.

Another critical component of the flow chart is operational planning. This entails determining how your business will function on a day-to-day basis by outlining key processes such as production workflows or supply chain management .

Lastly but no less important is evaluating risks associated with your business venture. A well-designed flow chart includes risk assessment methods that identify potential threats and outline mitigation strategies to minimize their impact on operations.

In summary, a business plan flow chart serves as a roadmap that guides entrepreneurs through each stage of developing their businesses. By breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps, it helps ensure that all aspects necessary for success are considered. From setting clear objectives to conducting thorough market research, creating effective marketing strategies, and meticulous financial planning; every aspect has its place within this visual guide. Utilizing a well-structured flowchart can streamline processes, facilitate decision-making,and enhance overall efficiency throughout every phase of launching or growing one’s enterprise

How to Use a Business Plan Flow Chart

Once you have created a business plan flow chart, it’s time to put it into action. Here are some tips on how to effectively use a business plan flow chart:

1. Start by familiarizing yourself with the flow chart: Take the time to understand each step and decision point in your flow chart. This will give you a clear roadmap of how your procurement process should unfold.

2. Follow the sequence: The flow chart is designed to guide you through the procurement process in a logical order. Make sure to follow each step as indicated in the flow chart.

3. Refer back to the flow chart regularly: Throughout the procurement process, refer back to your business plan flow chart frequently. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you’re following the intended path.

4. Update as needed: As your business evolves, it’s important to update your business plan and corresponding flow charts accordingly. Stay flexible and make any necessary adjustments along the way.

5. Communicate with stakeholders: Share your business plan flow chart with relevant stakeholders involved in the procurement process. This will ensure everyone is aligned and working towards common goals.

By using a well-designed business plan flow chart, you can streamline your procurement process and increase operational efficiency within your organization

In this comprehensive guide, we have demystified the concept of procurement and provided you with a step-by-step approach to navigate through the procurement process . We have also explored the different types of procurement and discussed their respective pros and cons.

Furthermore, we introduced you to the concept of a business plan flow chart and explained how it can be used as a valuable tool in your procurement strategy. By utilizing a business plan flow chart, you can effectively visualize your procurement process, identify potential bottlenecks or areas for improvement, and make informed decisions that align with your organization’s goals.

Procurement plays a vital role in ensuring the success and sustainability of any business or organization. With proper planning, strategic sourcing, supplier management supplier management negotiations, you can optimize your procurement activities to drive efficiency and cost savings.

Remember that each organization’s procurement needs may vary depending on factors such as industry type, size of operations, budget constraints, and specific objectives. It is crucial to tailor your approach accordingly while keeping an eye on emerging trends in procurement practices .

So whether you are embarking on a small-scale purchasing project or managing complex supply chains across multiple locations globally – understanding the fundamentals of procurement will empower you to make well-informed decisions that positively impact your bottom line.

Now armed with this knowledge about procurement processes along with insights into leveraging business plan flow charts effectively – go forth confidently into the world of strategic sourcing!

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What is Business Flow Chart And How to Create it

Every successful business back with proper planning done by the professionals. A business flowchart is the first step in the business process. More than half of the business planning is done by business flowchart. It's not difficult to understand the business plan flowchart. Anyone with a business mind can easily understand the workflow of the flowchart.

In this article, we're going to cover all about what exactly is a business flowchart, and which methodologies are used during the development of a business flowchart. Another thing we'll see in last, an online tool to make business process flowchart without any hassle.

So be with us at the end of this article to understand the business flowchart completely.

• Part 1: What is Business Flowchart?
• Part 2: How to Create a Business Flowchart?
• Part 3: Create a Business Flowchart Online

What is Business Flowchart?

Business flowchart visualizes all the steps that make the business process, and also determine who is responsible for all actions/steps. It's beneficial for analyzing the current workflow, improvements, and communications between the partakers.

In other words, a task that a business needs to carry out to accomplish some sort of business aims by repeating the task again and again.

Suppose you're mapping a business model and you need the steps to complete the business process by hiring employees or ordering or shipping a product. This procedure is also called a Business process flowchart or business flowchart.

It's not necessary to create a business flowchart for only a new business process model; you can create a model/document of an existing business model. The sole purpose of visualizing the flowchart is to gain more information and understanding of the process, inputs, outputs, people to make them more effective and improve the results.

Like any other flowcharts, a business process diagram also uses symbols like ovals, rectangles, diamonds, and arrows to determine the activities inside a business process flowchart.

How to Create A Business Flowchart?

As you already know about the business flowchart and its actual purpose. Now, it's to time to understand how to create a business process flowchart with the help of an example.

Example source: uplandsoftware.com

The above example of a business process flowchart is based on content marketing. We've three simple steps to draw a simple flowchart.

To be honest, everyone can draw flowcharts. But making it accurate according to the requirements isn't that simple. If it's that simple why you'd you be here? Before taking part in a business process development model or creating a business flowchart, you must use the right methodologies and tools to make a flowchart.

Without knowing the steps and methodologies, it's impossible to make a business model or flowchart. Well, it's another thing.

So, move to draw the business process flowchart, you must follow these simple three steps:

As we discussed above, before you start learning about the flowcharts, you should make sure that the flowchart methodology is right for your work.

If your goal is to process analysis, you might need some other tools. You can't do the process analysis from a top-level perspective.

The purpose of the business process flowchart is step by step detailing of the process. They are useless for deep understanding.

Gather the right information for your business process. Suppose, if you are working on a business website then you have to collect the data from the user perspective, not the one who is operating. Create polls on social media to get feedback directly from the users. Try to gain every possible information from the user. The information about the user will be beneficial for you to decide to create a business flowchart.

Everything you got, the information, and the need for the flowchart (right tool). Now, it's time to map all your information graphically in the form of a flowchart before creating a business process flowchart put the exact information inside the right symbol.

If you only want to keep everything simple and straight forward to the viewers, you can use the basic process symbols such as the oval, rectangle, diamond, and arrow. There are other many symbols available for larger or complex structures, but you can use basic shapes for a simple flowchart.

Create a Flowchart Online

Many online tools available to create business flowcharts but here we're going to discuss Wondershare Mockitt . We've tried so many tools for designing purposes, but we liked Mockitt mostly. The reason for using Mockitt is its outstanding and endless features.

Try it Free

Wondershare Mockitt is just like any other prototyping tool or software that helps you to create beautiful designs and mockups not only that you can make business process flowchart on it. It's a fast, easy, and effective way to create flowcharts with the online tool.

Features of Wondershare Mockitt

Although Mockitt has many unlimited features, we haven't yet explored all of them. But we've tried some features which are as below:

1.Widgets and Icons

Wondershare Mockitt provides unique widgets and icons to enhance and bring charm to your design. These icons and widgets can also be helpful to make business flowchart quickly.

2.Collaboration

Real-time collaboration has made communication among team members has made it accessible to everyone. Now, you can design and communicate with your team members at the same time. Isn't that amazing?

All of your information and data will store on Wondershare Mockitt secured servers. Wondershare Mockitt has zero-tolerance with its security policies.

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A beginner's guide to creating data flow diagrams (dfd), 3 different types of flowcharts for your work, blank flow chart to improve your work efficiency, top 10 flowchart templates to use for word/excel/powerpoint.

Business Flow Chart

Charts, as we know, are often used in representing information in a visual sense. Because charts use images or symbols in presenting information, and can be easily devised, people rely on them in the delivery of information.

As we’ve seen them a lot since school days, we’re familiar of the different types of charts, such as pie chart, bar chart, line chart, etc. A flowchart examples, is another type of chart typically used to represent order of things, or step-by-step processes.

Business Plan Flow Chart

Size: 75 KB

Flow Chart for Startup Business

Size: 43 KB

Business Process Flow Chart

Size: 84 KB

Business Development Flow Chart

Size: 24 KB

What Is a Business Flowchart?

As the name implies, a business flowchart is a flowchart intended for business processes. Just like any other flowcharts, business flowcharts contain a series of steps, or processes, which in this case are created for a business or an organization. Business flowcharts vary in appearance and content, depending on the people who devised them.

Example of business flowcharts samples are business development flowchart which indicates the flow of processes or items to be considered in building development.

 Advantages of a Business Flowchart

A business flowchart have countless advantages to a business and its employees. I believe it is necessary for one to recognize those advantages in order to realize the benefits of using business flowcharts. Here are some of those advantages:

• Business flowcharts promote proper communication.
• Business flowcharts provide information in an appealing way.
• Business flowcharts promote better understanding and comprehension.
• Business flowcharts efficiently map different processes and workflow inside a company or business.
• Business flowcharts provide an effective training guide to new employees.
• Business flowcharts provide a better way of memorizing the processes listed.

Small Business Flow Chart

Size: 233 KB

Business Continuity Flow Chart

Size: 280 KB

Flow Chart for Business Communication

Size: 418 KB

How to Create a Business Flowchart

Creating a business flowchart can be fun in so many ways. However, you might find this a burden especially when you have a lot already in your hands. So to make the process easier and more fun, here are some tips you need to consider in creating a business flowchart.

• Determine what kind of flowchart you’re creating, and why you’re creating it. Treat this as your end goal. Trust me, this will motivate you better.
• Know what points to include in your flowchart. The information and steps will vary depending on what kind of flowchart you want to create. You can do proper research, and determine the proper contents to include.
• Write the content simply and clearly. If you’re writing about processes, you need to write the instructions clearly so they’re easier to follow. This is to, of course, avoid confusion on your readers’ part.
• Make it brief. Keeping your flowchart concise will cut the reading time of your readers, and will give them more time in understanding and following the processes.
• Insert a hint of creativity. In other words, not too much. You may add a few shapes and colors to make your flowchart appealing, but try to minimize them, and keep them consistent.
• Polish your work. Best way to do this is to get rid of any error spelling and grammatical errors. Ask someone to check you business flowchart example for possible errors and areas for improvement.

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How to Make a Production Flow Chart for Manufacturing Processes (Example Included)

Manufacturing requires an understanding of production, its phases and when you need to assemble the product you’re building. Mapping this out with a production flow chart ensures a more seamless process.

What is a production flow chart? We’ll get to that shortly. We’ll also show you how one works and even provide you with an example to see a production flow chart in action.

What Is a Production Flow Chart?

A production flow chart is used to illustrate the manufacturing process of a product. It shows the stages, equipment used and quality control checks where you’ll check the product to ensure it meets quality expectations. If the quality is lacking or there has been any damage en route, these errors will be corrected before returning to production.

Through this mapping process, manufacturers are able to build a more efficient ordering process for their production line. The product flow chart is a visual representation of that process and can be easily shared. Because of the nature of its simple design, it’s also easy to read and understand at a glance.

A production flow chart sets up the sequence of the production of a product. It records all events using symbols to represent different stages or equipment and helps production managers improve manufacturing speed and quality. Production flow charts are easy to create by hand or with software tools.

ProjectManager is online software that turns production flow charts into workable manufacturing plans. Set up the flow chart on our kanban board, which breaks up your production cycle into columns such as to do, doing and done. These columns are customizable to conform to every step of production. Cards are tasks that move from one column to another as they’re processed. Managers get transparency into the process and can reallocate resources as needed to keep the production flowing smoothly. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

How Does a Production Flow Chart Work?

The production flow chart works as a visual tool. It’s a picture that illustrates each step of a process in sequential order and it’s used for defining or analyzing new processes, standardizing or redesigning existing processes and finding ways to improve processes by removing unnecessary steps, bottlenecks, etc.

A flow chart is illustrated with symbols and each has the following meaning:

• An oval means the start or finish of the process
• An arrow represents the direction of the process from one step to another
• A rectangle represents a process
• A diamond is a decision on an activity
• A D-shape means delay or wait
• A rectangle that curves up on the bottom right side represents that supportive documents are required
• A rounded-edged rectangle is sometimes used as the start or finish of a process.

There are two common types of production flow charts, high-level and detailed. The former works as a macro view of production planning usually only featuring six to 10 phases or steps and focusing on the major blocks in a process. It’s used mostly to identify improvements.

The detailed flow chart as its name suggests goes into greater detail or a micro view of the activities in your master production schedule . These flow charts are at least 15 phases or steps long and often much more than that. They’re good for finding steps that can be weeded out of the process and are mostly used when standardizing or modifying an existing process.

Get your free

• Production Schedule Template

Use this free Production Schedule Template for Excel to manage your projects better.

Production Flow Chart Example

To better understand a production flow chart, let’s look at an example and illustrate what that process looks like in a production flow chart for a typical manufacturing cycle . It starts with customer demand which leads to figuring out the design required. From there, the product is designed to meet those requirements.

Now you have to buy materials to build the project . When those materials are received, you first have to inspect them to make sure they’re useable. If they are, you’ll want to document the inspection results so you can then manufacture the product. If not, you have to return them to the vendor from which they were purchased and wait for a replacement shipment. When it arrives, return to the verification activity and follow through until it passes.

Once you have the product built, verify it meets the product requirements and the inspection results. If it doesn’t pass inspection, it has to be fixed and inspected again until it passes. If it does pass, then you have to package and ship the product. Finally, the last step is to have service support if necessary. That’s a simple production flow chart, which is illustrated below. As you can see, the product flow chart makes it quickly digestible and easy to follow, which is the point of having a production flow chart.

How to Make a Production Flow Chart

You know why a production flow chart is important and you’ve seen how it works in our example of a production flow chart. Now, let’s take a look at how you make a production flow chart.

1. Identify Tasks

First, you have to know all the tasks in the production process , everything from start to finish. You must be thorough or you’ll have to start again. Take time with this first step and include your production team to help you outline the steps.

2. Add Details to the Tasks

Once you have the tasks listed, you need to attach the team members who are responsible for those tasks. You’ll also need to identify any variables and events that might deviate the process.

3. Check Your Work

It’s critical that you get these first steps right. Once you’ve completed them, it’s important that the key stakeholders review your outline. They’ll help you make sure that what you collected is accurate. If it’s not, you’ll need to revise these first two steps.

4. Make Your Flow Chart

Once you’ve gotten the okay from your stakeholders, you can begin to draw your production flow chart. Use the symbols listed above to map out the production flow chart by hand or use online software or project management software .

Once you’ve mapped out the tasks that are required to manufacture a product and you’re ready for production, you’ll need a production schedule. This free production schedule template for Excel helps you keep track of the status of production orders, starting and ending production inventories and important due dates.

When to Use a Production Flow Chart

There are many applications for using a production flow chart. It’s designed to help you understand the manufacturing process , which leads to seeing where and how you can improve those processes.

Not only will a production flow chart help you to better understand your manufacturing process and improve it, but it’s a great communication tool. The visual aspect of the production flow chart makes it easy to show everyone on the team how the process is being executed. This helps everyone know what they need to do.

Production flow charts are a great way to document a process, but they’re also valuable when you’re planning a project . They can help you discern the best processes to get your product to market fast while keeping to your quality expectations.

Advantages of Using a Production Flow Chart

A production flow chart is great for communicating process improvements and sharing them with both your team and management in a clear and easy-to-understand presentation. They can turn a complicated process into a clear visual asset.

The production flow chart also helps with analyzing issues in your manufacturing process. It can help you pinpoint where you reduce costs and save time. You can look at each step in your process and identify areas that are wasteful. By eliminating them you can increase your productivity.

Also, production flow charts are good for project documentation . They capture processes in a way that everyone can understand and can be shared across departments. This helps bring everyone together when it comes to cleaning up wasteful processes. It also explains why the process is the way it is, which is helpful to keep everyone on the same page.

Disadvantages of Using a Production Flow Chart

A production flow chart is without its problems. For example, if you have to change the production flow chart, you’ll have to redraw it. Any small change to one of the steps requires a full rewrite of the document, which is time-consuming and frustrating.

Also, if you’re dealing with a complex process, the production flow chart could end up cluttered and difficult to understand. If the production flow chart can’t be read easily, its production planning benefits are lost. When making one, think about steps that can be combined or simplified.

You’ve probably already noticed that the symbols on a production flow chart aren’t on your keyboard; you have to either draw them by hand or use software that allows you to create those symbols. That means it can be difficult to make a production flow chart and share it.

ProjectManager and Production Planning

If you use project management software, then you can take the lessons of a production flow chart and add them to your planning. ProjectManager is software that helps you plan, manage and track your production. You can easily share plans and when changes are required, they can be simply added and everyone’s plan is updated at the same time.

Plan on Robust Gantt Charts

A production flow chart is going to be of great assistance when planning your manufacturing production cycle. You can easily turn that flow chart into a Gantt chart , which organizes all your steps, links dependencies to avoid bottlenecks and filters for the critical path. You can also add milestones such as when you need documentation. Once you set the baseline, you can track your planned progress against your actual progress in real time to help you stay on schedule.

Track Progress With Real-Time Dashboards

When you set the baseline on the Gantt chart, you can toggle over to the live dashboard , which collects real-time data and displays it on easy-to-read graphs and charts. The real-time dashboard gives you a high-level view of production, from costs to workload and more. There’s no setup required, it’s ready when you are.

When you want to get more information, use our customizable reporting features . You can filter each report to show only what you want to see. Quickly generate reports on status, timesheets and much more. Reports can also be used to keep your stakeholders and management updated.

Related Content

ProjectManager is software that helps you manufacture more efficiently. It’s also an online hub for all things project management. We publish new blogs weekly and have informative guides and tutorial videos as well as free templates. Here are just a few links to some of that content.

• How to Create a Master Production Schedule (MPS)
• Production Planning in Manufacturing: Best Practices for Production Plans

ProjectManager is award-winning software that helps you plan production more efficiently. Our tool lets plan your production cycle and manage it while keeping track of its progress and performance in real time. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

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How to create an organizational chart (with free examples)

An organizational chart outlines how your company functions in real time. This diagram shows the reporting relationships between job titles and the roles in your organization. We’ll explain the different types of organizational charts and provide free templates for you to customize your own.

You’re having a family dinner when your grandma pulls out the family tree. She uncrinkles the piece of paper and traces her name down the line. As she searches, her finger lands on a name. “See! There he is, right next to your cousin Charles!” She points to the name of your third cousin, proving that this name matches that of a famous poet. 

In this guide, we’ll explain how to make an org chart, the different types of organizational charts, and provide free templates so you can customize and build your own.

How to make an organizational chart

An organizational chart is a way to visualize your company’s structure. To create an org chart, you’ll need to gather team member information and decide how you’d like to build the chart. 

As you consider the reporting relationships in your organization, you can plan your chart from top to bottom. 

1. Define scope

You can treat your organizational chart like any other new project you work on. Defining the scope of your org chart can help ensure it clearly represents your team structure . The scope will determine the overall purpose of your organizational chart.

Consider these questions to get started:

Will your org chart act as a resource for team members to know who’s who within the company? 

Will you share your organizational chart with external stakeholders or partners? 

Will you need multiple charts for different levels of the company? 

Asking these questions from the start can help you gather the right information and map out your chart.

2. Gather information

Gathering information is the most important step of making an organizational chart because without the right information, you won’t be able to proceed.  You can gather information by surveying individual team members through email or working with your HR department. 

You’ll need up-to-date information about the people in your company, including employee names and their latest job titles. You’ll also need to understand reporting relationships throughout your company, such as the hierarchy between managers and direct reports. Consider gathering headshots of your team for added personalization.

3. Decide how to build your chart

Deciding how to build your organizational chart is crucial because different tools can make the process easier. Drawing out your org chart by hand isn’t time efficient and will make your results hard to share, so consider harnessing the power of a tool for this process. 

Using an editable PDF can save you time because the template is pre-built with placeholders. You can then easily share the PDF with the rest of your company. 

4. Plan for updates

After creating your org chart, use a team calendar to plan for regular updates. After all, it’s likely that your company structure and team dynamics will change often. 

People switch in and out of positions, new employees are hired, and reporting relationships change. With a digital org chart, it’s easy to update the structure and redistribute it to team members.

Organizational chart templates

Creating an organizational chart can be easier when building from an org chart template. Most companies follow similar structures, whether it’s a top-down structure or a matrix structure. 

You can use the org chart examples below as jumping-off points. To create your custom org chart, determine which organizational type best represents your company structure. Then, update the template to fit your unique team needs.

Types of organizational charts

There are four common org chart types. Each one of these charts uses a different chart design and represents a different way that a company might function. Since an organizational chart is basically a hierarchy chart—a visual translation of your company’s internal structure—the chart type you use should mirror your organization’s reporting relationships and decision-making procedures.  

1. Functional top-down

A functional top-down org chart is the most common structure, with the company functioning as a hierarchy. At the top of this organizational structure there is one team member, who usually has the title of president or CEO. 

Branching off from that team member are the leaders who are next in charge, like the company vice presidents. The organizational hierarchy extends further into departments and eventually branches into teams. 

2. Matrix organizational chart

The matrix organization is a more complex structure than the traditional top-down design. If your company uses this reporting structure, team members report to multiple managers. 

While employees likely have a primary manager they report to for their department, they may also report to a project manager . These secondary project managers also have department managers they report to, which makes the matrix org chart look rectangular instead of tree-like. 

3. Divisional structure

A divisional organizational structure is a high-level version of the traditional hierarchical structure. Divisional structures make sense for companies that have departments working independently from one another. 

For example, companies with separate product lines may work in divisional structures because each product line has separate IT, marketing, and sales departments.

4. Flat organizational chart

The flat organizational chart is unique because it shows few or no levels of management. This type of organizational structure may be present in a small business or a modern business that’s experimenting with no chain of command. 

With this type of organizational structure, the company promotes wide-spread team member self-management and decision-making. 

How to use an org chart

You can benefit your company by using an organizational structure because it provides a visual representation of different departments and job titles in action. This chart can help team members understand how to collaborate with one another and feel confident in their role and responsibilities. 

Visualize reporting relationships

As a manager, you may use an org chart to show work responsibilities and reporting relationships to new team members. When onboarding new hires, the org chart helps team members get to know their fellow teammates and what they do. It also helps new team members remember who’s who within the company. 

Manage growth and change

Organizational charts can also help the leadership team stay organized and manage growth or change within the company. For example, if a department head notices that one team has become larger than other teams, they can shift or hire new team members to create balance.

See where everyone fits

An org chart creates clarity by showing everyone in the company where they fit in the organizational structure. If a new member joins the team, they can glance at the organizational chart and understand that they have five other members on their team, two assistants below them, and a project manager above them. They can also see that their project manager reports to a department manager.

Improve communication

Having an established organizational structure for your company can improve communication because it makes reporting relationships clear. Without an organizational chart in place, team members may not know who to go to when they have questions. The org chart makes it clear who leads what, so team members can feel empowered to ask questions and collaborate with others.  

Create visual directory

An org chart is essentially a visual directory of your organization. You can  update the chart when team members get promoted or when they leave. Keeping a visual directory up to date keeps everyone informed of who’s working at the company and what their current position is.

Limitations of using an org chart

While organizational charts can increase communication among teams, there are limitations of using them. Knowing these limitations can help you find solutions to any potential issues before they occur.

Can get outdated quickly

Org charts can get outdated quickly as companies restructure and shift team roles. Team members must be mindful and keep the org chart updated with current company structure and staff names. 

Solution: Assign someone to regularly update and redistribute your organizational chart in order to maintain this valuable resource.

Only shows formal relationships

The organizational chart is a one-dimensional document, so it doesn’t offer much explanation beyond the reporting structure it provides. While it’s useful in visualizing the basic company structure, it only shows formal relationships. Many companies function and thrive on various informal reporting relationships that wouldn’t show up on a traditional org chart. 

Solution: Use an org chart as a jumping off point, but keep in mind there may be other working relationships that the org chart doesn’t capture.

Doesn’t display management style

While the org chart shows managers and the team members that report to them, it won’t show what each manager is like. For example, the org chart may show that one manager has two team members and another manager has five team members. Assumptions may be made that the manager with more team members is a stronger leader, but the org chart won’t show that the manager with less team members has a more hands-on management style . 

Solution: Use your org chart as a first point of reference, but be mindful that face to face contact is the best way to understand reporting relationships among internal teams.

Can be difficult to update

Not only can printable org chart worksheets or drawn-out organization charts become outdated quickly, they can also be difficult to update. After all, if your chart is created in a static tool, you’ll have to start from scratch every time your organization’s structure changes.

Solution: Instead of creating your chart in a fixed workspace, opt for a dynamic tool. Platforms like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel are easily updated. Or, take it one step further with org chart software or a project management tool that uses integrations and apps to connect your team to data visualizers that map out workflows, like LucidChart and Miro .

Streamline your organizational structure with a chart

While there are limitations to organizational charts, these charts offer a helpful way to understand your company structure. It can also improve communication with upper management by clarifying roles and responsibilities. To build an organizational chart for your company, use our free editable PDFs and customize them as you see fit. 

Need help streamlining teamwork? Find out how Asana helps teams communicate effectively. 

Related resources

9 steps to craft a successful go-to-market (GTM) strategy

Unmanaged business goals don’t work. Here’s what does.

How Asana uses work management to effectively manage goals

Beat thrash for good: 4 organizational planning challenges and solutions

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How to Use Cross-Functional Flowcharts in Business Planning

By Joan Ang , Aug 03, 2023

A cross-functional flowchart shows how workflows extend from one department to another, which can help in effective process mapping.

Cross-functional flowcharts contain a high level of detail that can help organize a business process and flesh out your project plan.

In this article, I will discuss what a cross-functional flowchart is, what it is used for, and how it can help in business planning.

You will also learn how to create a cross-functional flowchart using Venngage’s cross-functional  Flowchart Maker . Alternatively, browse our selection of flowchart templates that you can customize and make your own in just minutes.

Click to jump ahead:

What is a cross-functional flowchart?

How do you analyze a cross-functional flowchart, 3 types of cross-functional flowcharts, how to create a cross-functional flowchart, faqs about cross-functional flowcharts.

A cross-functional flowchart is a diagram that documents a process and arranges it into subdivisions or “swimlanes.”

You’ll often see cross-functional flowcharts referenced as a swimlane diagram , a sales process flowchart , or cross-functional diagram.

A swimlane or cross-functional flowchart reveals the individuals or departments who will carry out the steps or activities to complete a process.

Here is a cross-functional flowchart that shows the process of how to take a client from sale of a project to actual handover:

Related : Swimlane Process Maps: How do They Work Together to Improve Business Processes?

What are cross-functional flowcharts used for?

Cross-functional flowcharts are used by businesses and organizations to illustrate how the input of multiple departments is needed to fulfill a process.

They help employees understand each other’s roles and responsibilities, which can prevent miscommunication and errors and ultimately streamline the entire process.

A cross-functional flowchart can be used for the following purposes:

• Process mapping: Cross-functional flowcharts help map out a process or workflow by providing a clear and comprehensive view of each step involved and the interaction between different departments or individuals.
• Identifying bottlenecks: Cross-functional flowcharts enable visual identification of bottlenecks or inefficiencies within a process.
• Communication: Cross-functional flowcharts make it easy to convey complex interactions to team members, stakeholders, and even external parties.
• Project management : Cross-functional flowcharts help break down dependencies between different project phases, tasks, and teams, ensuring a smooth and coordinated project execution.

What layout does a cross-functional flowchart have?

The swimlanes in a cross-functional flowchart can have a horizontal or vertical orientation.

Each swimlane stands for a department or team involved in the process, while each process step is aligned with the swimlane or department in charge of that particular step.

This is an example of a cross-functional flowchart with vertical swimlanes:

A cross-functional flowchart differs from a basic flowchart since process steps are grouped into different lanes. Each lane is labeled with an individual, team, or department while the steps are read from left to right.

In order to understand and analyze a cross-functional flowchart, you need to be familiar with its structure and elements.

Here are the elements that make up a cross-functional flowchart:

• Parallel lines – These are used to divide the diagram into different lanes.
• Start and end points  – Rectangle shapes with rounded corners that mark the start and end of the process.
• Activities  – These cross-functional flowchart shapes portray a task or step in the process and are represented by a rectangle.
• Lines or arrows  – Connect the steps together from one lane to another.
• Decisions  – Diamond shapes that contain a question or decision that is answered with either yes or no.
• Input and output  – Parallelograms that symbolize any data that comes in and out of the process flow.
• Document  – This rectangle symbol with a wavy bottom side indicates that a related document needs to be retrieved for the process step.

These are the different types of cross-functional flowcharts that you can use for process mapping:

1. Matrix flowcharts

Matrix flowcharts are the most complicated type as they are designed for outlining complex relationships in a single process.

In a matrix flowchart, each process step is subdivided into more than one classification, creating subprocesses and therefore making it harder to read.

It is for this reason that this cross-functional flowchart is not very popular. However, they are useful for illustrating complex processes, especially in the field of programming.

Here is an example of a matrix flowchart. As you can see, it has too many complex parts.

2. Deployment flowcharts

The most common type of cross-functional flowchart, deployment flowcharts simply group the process steps into their respective departments or swimlanes.

When it comes to a deployment flowchart, the swimlanes are considered classifications under which the process steps or activities fall and follow a sequential order.

Deployment flowcharts are often used in visualizing manufacturing or order processing.

Here is a great example:

3. Opportunity flowcharts

Lastly, in an opportunity flowchart, the steps or activities are categorized as those that add value to the process and those that don’t.

That said, opportunity flowcharts are comprised of only two swimlanes: value-added and non-value-added.

Here is an example of an opportunity flowchart in which the steps of taking a phone order are divided into those that add value and those that only add cost:

Here is an opportunity flowchart that shows the step-by-step of the product order process:

This type of cross-functional flowchart is mostly used in business analysis as it helps identify which process steps will increase or decrease profit.

Now, to create your own cross-functional flowchart, you can follow this step-by-step guide to ensure that you will produce a clear and well-designed flowchart:

Step 1: Define the process and its components

First, identify which process you will map out, the people who will perform the steps, and your objectives or the outcomes that you want to achieve through the process.

You need to determine all the details of the process before you proceed to create your flowchart.

Step 2: Create a starting point

Now it’s time to draft your flowchart. Write down the first step in the process on a blank piece of paper. Use the right flowchart symbol for your starting point by drawing a rounded rectangle around it.

Step 3: Create the swimlanes

Next, list down the departments, teams, or individuals you have come up with. Take into account the order of their involvement in the process and make sure the starting point falls under the right department.

Create swimlanes for each department by drawing lines to separate them. A horizontal swimlane will have the departments listed from top to bottom on the left side of the page while a vertical swimlane will have them enumerated from left to right at the top of the page.

Related : 10+ Swimlane Diagram Templates and How to Create Them

Step 4: Complete the steps

From the starting point, continue to build the process steps in the correct sequence. Remember the symbols you should use for every step or activity, decision, and input or output.

Connect the steps with lines or arrows. Keep adding more steps or activities until you complete the process then use the endpoint symbol to mark the end of the process.

Step 5: Choose a reliable diagramming tool

By now, your cross-functional flowchart is almost complete and all you need to do is to convert it to its final form.

Picking the right tool to make your flowchart is a crucial step in the creation process as it will define how successful your flowchart will turn out.

Venngage’s cross-functional  Flowchart Maker  is a great choice as it is a free online tool with easy-to-use features that can help you create a more impactful flowchart. The best part? Our customer support team is available 24/7 to assist you!

Venngage has free, fully-customizable templates that you can use to design and finalize your flowchart. Using the smart drag-and-drop editor, you can easily add and change elements like colors, shapes, and fonts.

But in the other hand, you can always upgrade to a Venngage business account to access  My Brand Kit , which lets you add your company’s logo, color palette, and fonts to all your designs with a single click.

A business account also includes a  real-time collaboration feature , so you can invite members of your team to work simultaneously on a project.

How do you make a cross-functional flowchart in Venngage?

Making a cross-functional flowchart in Venngage is super easy. You simply need to:

• Sign up and create an account with Venngage
• Choose a cross-functional flowchart template from our library
• Edit the flowchart shapes, labels, and colors
• Add icons, illustrations, or backgrounds which you can also get from our library.

After that, you can download your work as a PNG or PDF file (paid plans only) or share it online (free).

What are the main flowchart types?

There are many  types of flowcharts , but the most common are:

• Process flowcharts: Used for process mapping or illustrating how a series of steps are carried out.
• Workflow charts  – Diagrams which describe how tasks are done in a business process.
• Swimlane flowcharts  – Show how a process is fulfilled by different participants.
• Data flowcharts  – Illustrate the process of how data enters and comes out of a system.

Related : What is a Flowchart? Use Cases, Templates & Design Tips

Can you create a cross-functional flowchart in Word?

You can create a cross-functional flowchart in Microsoft Word by building from basic shapes or SmartArt Graphics. However, it will take more time and effort as the program doesn’t offer any templates to make the creation and designing process faster and easier. Venngage’s Cross-functional  Flowchart Maker  is a better tool you can use for free.

In conclusion: Cross-functional flowcharts can improve process mapping and make business planning easier.

Cross-functional flowcharts can help in task delegation and process management which can contribute to efficient business planning. 

Use Venngage’s Cross-functional  Flowchart Maker  for your next project plan.

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