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What Is A Process Flowchart - Process Flow Diagrams - ASQ

A process flowchart visually maps out the steps of a process in sequential order. It can include inputs, outputs, decisions, people involved, and time spent at each step. Flowcharts are used to develop understanding of a process, study it for improvement, communicate how it works, and document it. Creating a flowchart involves defining the process, brainstorming steps, arranging them in order, and reviewing the flowchart with those involved in the process. Common symbols represent steps, decisions, delays, document links, inputs/outputs, and start/end points.

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115 views

What Is A Process Flowchart - Process Flow Diagrams - ASQ

A process flowchart visually maps out the steps of a process in sequential order. It can include inputs, outputs, decisions, people involved, and time spent at each step. Flowcharts are used to develop understanding of a process, study it for improvement, communicate how it works, and document it. Creating a flowchart involves defining the process, brainstorming steps, arranging them in order, and reviewing the flowchart with those involved in the process. Common symbols represent steps, decisions, delays, document links, inputs/outputs, and start/end points.

Uploaded by

Haseeb Bokhari
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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4/27/2017 WhatisaProcessFlowchart?

ProcessFlowDiagrams|ASQ

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WHATISAPROCESS
FLOWCHART?
Alsocalled:processflowchart,processflowdiagram.

Variations:macroflowchart,topdownflowchart,detailedflowchart(alsocalledprocessmap,micromap,service
map,orsymbolicflowchart),deploymentflowchart(alsocalleddownacrossorcrossfunctionalflowchart),several
leveledflowchart.

Aflowchartisapictureoftheseparatestepsofaprocessinsequentialorder.

Elementsthatmaybeincludedare:sequenceofactions,materialsorservicesenteringorleavingtheprocess
(inputsandoutputs),decisionsthatmustbemade,peoplewhobecomeinvolved,timeinvolvedateachstep
and/orprocessmeasurements.

Theprocessdescribedcanbeanything:amanufacturingprocess,anadministrativeorserviceprocess,aproject
plan.Thisisagenerictoolthatcanbeadaptedforawidevarietyofpurposes.

When to Use a Flowchart


http://asq.org/learnaboutquality/processanalysistools/overview/flowchart.html 1/5
When to Use a Flowchart
4/27/2017 WhatisaProcessFlowchart?ProcessFlowDiagrams|ASQ

Todevelopunderstandingofhowaprocessisdone.
Tostudyaprocessforimprovement.
Tocommunicatetoothershowaprocessisdone.
Whenbettercommunicationisneededbetweenpeopleinvolvedwiththesameprocess.
Todocumentaprocess.
Whenplanningaproject.

Flowchart Basic Procedure


Materialsneeded:stickynotesorcards,alargepieceofflipchartpaperornewsprint,markingpens.

1 Definetheprocesstobediagrammed.Writeitstitleatthetopoftheworksurface.
2 Discussanddecideontheboundariesofyourprocess:Whereorwhendoestheprocessstart?Whereorwhen
doesitend?Discussanddecideonthelevelofdetailtobeincludedinthediagram.
3 Brainstormtheactivitiesthattakeplace.Writeeachonacardorstickynote.Sequenceisnotimportantatthis
point,althoughthinkinginsequencemayhelppeoplerememberallthesteps.
4 Arrangetheactivitiesinpropersequence.
5 Whenallactivitiesareincludedandeveryoneagreesthatthesequenceiscorrect,drawarrowstoshowthe
flowoftheprocess.
6 Reviewtheflowchartwithothersinvolvedintheprocess(workers,supervisors,suppliers,customers)toseeif
theyagreethattheprocessisdrawnaccurately.

Flowchart Considerations
Dontworrytoomuchaboutdrawingtheflowcharttherightway.Therightwayisthewaythathelpsthose
involvedunderstandtheprocess.
Identifyandinvolveintheflowchartingprocessallkeypeopleinvolvedwiththeprocess.Thisincludesthose
whodotheworkintheprocess:suppliers,customersandsupervisors.Involvethemintheactualflowcharting
sessionsbyinterviewingthembeforethesessionsand/orbyshowingthemthedevelopingflowchartbetween
worksessionsandobtainingtheirfeedback.
Donotassignatechnicalexperttodrawtheflowchart.Peoplewhoactuallyperformtheprocessshoulddoit.
Computersoftwareisavailablefordrawingflowcharts.Softwareisusefulfordrawinganeatfinaldiagram,but
themethodgivenhereworksbetterforthemessyinitialstagesofcreatingtheflowchart.

ExcerptedfromNancyR.TaguesTheQualityToolbox,SecondEdition,ASQQualityPress,2004,pages255257.

Flowchart Examples

HighLevelFlowchartforanOrderFillingProcess

DetailedFlowchart

http://asq.org/learnaboutquality/processanalysistools/overview/flowchart.html 2/5
4/27/2017 WhatisaProcessFlowchart?ProcessFlowDiagrams|ASQ

Commonly Used Symbols in Detailed Flowcharts

Onestepintheprocessthestepiswritteninsidethebox.Usually,onlyonearrowgoesoutofthebox.

Directionofflowfromonestepordecisiontoanother.

Decisionbasedonaquestion.Thequestioniswritteninthediamond.Morethanonearrowgoesout

ofthediamond,eachoneshowingthedirectiontheprocesstakesforagivenanswertothequestion.(Oftenthe
answersareyesandno.)

Delayorwait

Linktoanotherpageoranotherflowchart.Thesamesymbolontheotherpageindicatesthattheflow

continuesthere.

Inputoroutput
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4/27/2017 WhatisaProcessFlowchart?ProcessFlowDiagrams|ASQ
Inputoroutput

Document

Alternatesymbolsforstartandendpoints

Develop a Process Flowchart


Createagraphicalrepresentationofthestepsinaprocesstobetterunderstanditandrevealopportunitiesfor
improvement.StartusingtheFlowchartTemplate(Excel,57KB).

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