Flowchart Layout Process

R1,600.00

Description

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

The flowchart shows the steps as boxes of various kinds and their order by connecting the boxes with arrows. This diagrammatic representation illustrates a solution model to a given problem. Flowcharts are used in analyzing, designing, documenting or managing a process or program in various fields.

Overview[edit]

A flowchart is described as “cross-functional” when the chart is divided into different vertical or horizontal parts to describe the control of different organizational units. A symbol appearing in a particular part is within the control of that organizational unit. A cross-functional flowchart allows the author to correctly locate the responsibility for performing an action or making a decision and to show the responsibility of each organizational unit for different parts of a single process.

Flowcharts represent certain aspects of processes and are usually complemented by other diagrams. For instance, Kaoru Ishikawa defined the flowchart as one of the seven basic quality control tools, next to the histogramPareto chartcheck sheetcontrol chartcause-and-effect diagram, and scatter diagram. Similarly, in UML, a standard concept-modelling notation used in software development, the activity diagram, a flowchart type, is just one of many different diagram types. Nassi-Shneiderman diagrams and Drakon-charts are alternative notations for process flow.

Common alternative names include flow chart, process flowchart, functional flowchart, process map, process chart, functional process chart, business process model, process model, process flow diagramworkflow diagram, and business flow diagram. The terms “flowchart” and “flow chart” are used interchangeably.

Types

Sterneckert (2003) suggested that flowcharts can be modelled from the perspective of different user groups (such as managers, system analysts and clerks) and that there are four general types:

  • Document flowcharts, showing controls over a document flow through a system
  • Data flowcharts showing controls over a data flow in a system
  • System flowcharts showing controls at a physical or resource level
  • Program flowchart, showing the controls in a program within a system

Common symbols[edit]

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) set standards for flowcharts and their symbols in the 1960s. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) adopted the ANSI symbols in 1970. The current standard, ISO 5807, was revised in 1985. Generally, flowcharts flow from top to bottom and left to right.

ANSI/ISO ShapeNameDescription
Flowchart Line.svgFlowline (Arrowhead)Shows the process’s order of operation. A line is coming from one symbol and pointing at another. Arrowheads are added if the flow is not the top-to-bottom left-to-right.
Flowchart Terminal.svgTerminalIndicates the beginning and end of a program or sub-process. Represented as a stadium, oval or rounded (fillet) rectangle. They usually contain the word “Start” or “End” or another phrase signalling the start or end of a process, such as “submit inquiry” or “receive product”.
Flowchart Process.svgProcessRepresents operations that change data’s value, form, or location. Represented as a rectangle.
Flowchart Decision.svgDecisionShows a conditional operation determining which of the program’s two paths will take. The operation is commonly a yes/no question or true/false test. Represented as a diamond (rhombus).
Flowchart IO.svgInput/OutputIndicates the process of inputting and outputting data, as in entering data or displaying results. Represented as a rhomboid.
Flowchart Annotation.svgAnnotation (Comment)Indicating additional information about a step in the program. Represented as an open rectangle with a dashed or solid line connecting it to the corresponding symbol in the flowchart.
Flowchart Predefined Process.svgPredefined ProcessShows named process which is defined elsewhere. Represented as a rectangle with double-struck vertical edges.
Flowchart Connector.svgOn-page ConnectorPairs of labelled connectors replace long or confusing lines on a flowchart page. Represented by a small circle with a letter inside.
Off page connector.pngOff-page ConnectorA labelled connector for use when the target is on another page. Represented as a home plate-shaped pentagon.

Other symbols

The ANSI/ISO standards include symbols beyond the basic shapes. Some are:

ShapeNameDescription
Flowchart databaseData File or DatabaseData is represented by a cylinder symbolizing a disk drive.
Flowchart DocumentDocumentSingle documents are represented as a rectangle with a wavy base.
Flowchart Document multipleMultiple documents are represented as a stack of rectangles with wavy bases.
Flowchar Manual inputManual operationRepresented by a trapezoid with the longest parallel side at the top to represent an operation or adjustment to a process that can only be made manually.
Flowchart manual inputManual inputRepresented by a quadrilateral, with the top irregularly sloping up from left to right, like the side view of a keyboard.
Flowchart PreparationPreparation or InitializationRepresented by an elongated hexagon, originally used for steps like setting a switch or initializing a routine.

Parallel processing

  • Parallel Mode is represented by two horizontal lines at the beginning or end of simultaneous operations

For parallel and concurrent processing, the Parallel Mode horizontal lines or a horizontal bar indicate the start or end of a section of processes that can be done independently:

  • The process creates one or more additional processes at a fork, indicated by a bar with one incoming and two outgoing paths.
  • At a joint, two or more processes continue as a single process, indicated by a bar with several incoming paths and one outgoing path. All processes must complete before the single process continues.