What is a Flowchart?

Last Updated on July 2, 2023 by Mayank Dham

Flowcharts are an essential visual tool for representing processes and workflows. They simplify complex processes and provide a clear and concise way of communicating information. This article will explore the advantages, disadvantages, and best practices for using flowcharts in various industries.

History of a Flowchart

Flowcharts were developed in the early 1920s by Frank Gilbreth to document industrial processes. L.H. Nelson developed a more detailed version of flowcharts in the 1940s to analyze and improve manufacturing processes. In the 1950s and 1960s, flowcharts became popular in business and government to document complex procedures. With the rise of computer programming in the 1960s, flowcharts were adapted to represent software algorithms. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) developed a standard for flowcharting in the 1970s, which is still widely used today. Flowcharts are now used in a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, and project management, and modern software has made it easier to create and share them.

What is a Flowchart?

A flowchart is a visual tool used to represent a process or algorithm. It uses symbols and arrows to show the sequence of steps involved in a process. Flowcharts are commonly used in software development, engineering, and business to document workflows and provide step-by-step instructions. Symbols used in flowcharts represent different actions or decisions in a process, such as rectangles for process steps, circles for start or endpoints, and diamonds for decision points. Flowcharts help identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement in a process and improve communication and collaboration by providing a common visual language.

Flowchart Symbols

Here are some of the most commonly used symbols:

• Start/End symbol: A rounded rectangle used to indicate the beginning and end of a process.

  

• Process symbol: A rectangle used to represent a specific action or step in a process.

  

• Decision symbol: A diamond used to represent a decision point in a process, with two or more possible outcomes.

  

• Input/Output symbol: A parallelogram used to indicate the input or output of data in a process.

  

• Connector symbol: A circle used to indicate a connection point between two parts of a flowchart.

  

• Predefined process symbol: A rectangle with double vertical lines on each side used to represent a process that has been defined elsewhere.

  

• Flow Arrow: An arrow is used to indicate a flowchart of the process.

  

• Annotation symbol: A note symbol used to add additional information or clarification to a flowchart.

  

Example for Representation of a Flowchart

Various uses of a Flowchart

Flowcharts are used in various ways including:

• Process documentation: These are used to document a process or workflow, such as a manufacturing process, service delivery, or administrative procedure. This helps to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
• Decision-making: It is used to visualize and analyze different decision paths, helping to identify the best possible outcome.
• Problem-solving: They are used to break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable parts, making it easier to identify the root cause and potential solutions.
• Programming and software development: These are used to represent software algorithms and program logic, helping to ensure that code is well-structured and easy to understand.
• Project management: They are used to plan and manage projects, including identifying tasks and dependencies, assigning responsibilities, and tracking progress.
• Quality control: They are used to document quality control processes, ensuring that products or services meet the required standards.
• Training: It is used to develop training materials, providing a visual representation of the steps involved in completing a task or process.

Advantages of a Flowchart

Some of the advantages of a flowchart:

• Provides clarity in understanding processes.
• Easy to create and understand.
• Simplifies complex processes.
• Standardizes process representation.
• Reduces errors and inefficiencies.
• Improves process efficiency.
• Helps in decision-making.

Disadvantages of a Flowchart

Some of the disadvantages of a flowchart:

• Can become complex and confusing for larger processes.
• May not accurately capture every detail of a process.
• Can become outdated quickly if the process changes.
• Can be time-consuming to create and maintain.
• Requires technical skills to create complex flowcharts.
• Limited use in representing non-linear or parallel processes.
• Can be difficult to integrate with other documentation.

Conclusion
In conclusion, flowcharts are a valuable tool for representing processes clearly and concisely. They help to simplify complex processes, standardize process representation, and identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement. While there are some limitations to their use, such as their potential for complexity and the need for technical skills to create more complex flowcharts, the benefits of using flowcharts outweigh the drawbacks. When used properly, flowcharts can significantly improve communication, collaboration, and decision-making within an organization.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Q1. What do you mean by a flowchart?
Ans: A flowchart is a graphical representation of a process or algorithm, using symbols and arrows to illustrate the sequence of steps involved.

Q2. What are flowcharts used for?
Ans: Flowcharts are commonly used in software development, engineering, business, and many other fields to document workflows, provide step-by-step instructions, and identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.

Q3. What symbols are used in flowcharts?
Ans: Symbols used in flowcharts represent different actions or decisions in a process, such as rectangles for process steps, circles for start or end points, and diamonds for decision points.

Q4. What are the advantages of using flowcharts?
Ans: Advantages of using flowcharts include improved clarity, simplified complex processes, standardized process representation, error reduction, improved efficiency, and better decision-making.

Q5. What are the disadvantages of using flowcharts?
Ans: Disadvantages of using flowcharts include potential complexity for larger processes, the need for technical skills to create more complex flowcharts, limited use in representing non-linear or parallel processes, and the potential for outdated information if the process changes.

Q6. What are some best practices for creating flowcharts?
Ans: Best practices for creating flowcharts include starting with a clear understanding of the process, using standardized symbols, keeping the flowchart simple and concise, avoiding ambiguity, and reviewing and revising the flowchart as needed.