Why use flowcharts

Flowcharts are sometimes called input-output diagrams. The diagram visually describes the specific steps of a working process. Flowcharts are great for understanding exactly how things are going and determining how the process can be improved.

  • The solution to complex projects is decomposition
  • The essence of flow chart is the decomposition of the overall execution process of a project. Its main function is to divide a complex process carefully, and each execution step divided is a process.
  • Visually describe the specific steps of a working process. For example, the process of a meeting, the production sequence of a product, process and so on.

Three kinds of structure

  1. Loop structure

  1. Sequential structure: a structure that is executed in sequence step by step

  1. Selection structure: must contain a judgment box

Common components

Flow chart specification

1. In order to improve the logicality of the flow chart, it should follow the order from left to right and from top to bottom, and each element can be marked with Arabic numerals.

2. Start from the beginning and end with the end. The opening symbol may appear only once, and the closing symbol may appear more than once. If the flow is clear enough, omit the beginning and end symbols.

3. When there is a selection or decision result in each step, it is necessary to carefully check to avoid loopholes, which will lead to the failure of the process to form a closed loop.

4. Processing symbol shall be single entrance and single exit.5, do not cross the connection line.

6, if two of the same path under the arrow should be only one.7. The symbol size of the same flowchart should be consistent.

8, processing as parallel relation, can be placed at the same height.

9. Use notes where necessary to clearly illustrate the process.

Type of flow chart

Flow charts can be divided into 10 categories, but according to different scenarios, they can be roughly divided into 7 categories, namely, business flow chart, cross-function flow chart, data flow chart, event management flow chart, IDEF chart, work flow chart and SDL chart.

  • Business flow chart: also known as business flow chart, is a description of the internal system of each personnel and each unit of the business relationship, management information and operation sequence. It is a physical model that enables analysts to identify unreasonable flows in business processes for optimization.

Flow charts used to describe the functional relationship between each personnel and each unit in the system, operation relationship and other information, such as the flow chart of leave approval, are based on the physical model.

  • Cross-functional flowchart: Shows the interrelationships between the steps in a process and the functional units that perform them. Cross-function flow chart can be divided into horizontal cross-function flow chart and vertical cross-function flow chart according to different directions of distribution. When used in UML, cross-functional flowcharts are also called swimlane diagrams. Refer to: cross – function flow chart

In addition to showing the various process steps in relation to them as a normal process, can you also show the functional units that perform them and how the process affects the various functional units

  • Data flow chart: a tool for describing the data flow of a system. It can isolate abstract data and show the context and actual flow of information through specific graphical symbols. This is an important tool for describing logical models of information systems.

In simple terms, it is the logical presentation of the whole data, the source of information and the direction to go

  • Event management flow chart: This is an important process in IT service management. When an event is input, the operator of the service desk will conduct a preliminary classification and evaluation on IT according to the impact scope and emergency degree of the event.

  • IDEF diagram: IDEF stands for Integrated Computer-aided Manufacturing, a set of modeling methods used to describe the inner workings of an enterprise. The IDEF diagram is a graphical representation of this modeling approach.

  • Workflow flow chart: through appropriate symbols to record the work, can reflect the logical relationship between the work in an organization system. Workflow flow chart can help managers understand the actual work activities, and remove redundant work links in the work, so as to improve work efficiency.

Each working step is carefully divided, you can display a task or work to perform each detailed step

  • SDL Diagrams: Use specification and specification language (SDL) to create diagrams for communications, telecommunications systems, and networks.