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Flowcharts

Flowcharts are a visual tool used to represent processes. They show the steps, order, and relationships between activities. Flowcharts benefit quality management by providing clarity, helping identify inefficiencies, and facilitating standardization. The key steps to create a flowchart are to define the process, identify boundaries, list steps, choose symbols, draw the flow, test it, and review with stakeholders. Different types of flowcharts like process, swimlane, value stream, and cause-and-effect maps are used in quality management to analyze specific aspects of processes.

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17 views13 pages

Flowcharts

Flowcharts are a visual tool used to represent processes. They show the steps, order, and relationships between activities. Flowcharts benefit quality management by providing clarity, helping identify inefficiencies, and facilitating standardization. The key steps to create a flowchart are to define the process, identify boundaries, list steps, choose symbols, draw the flow, test it, and review with stakeholders. Different types of flowcharts like process, swimlane, value stream, and cause-and-effect maps are used in quality management to analyze specific aspects of processes.

Uploaded by

Akhila S
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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FLOWCHARTS

- DR. AKHILA. S
2ND YEAR MHA
DEFINITION
It is a graphical representation of a process that illustrates the steps involved,
the order in which they occur, and the relationships between different
activities. It is a visual tool that allows stakeholders to understand and analyze
a process, identify potential inefficiencies, and develop strategies for
improvement.
Flowcharts are commonly used in quality management to help organizations
standardize processes, identify bottlenecks, and improve efficiency, ultimately
leading to higher levels of quality and customer satisfaction.
BENEFITS OF USING FLOWCHARTS
 Visual representation:
Flowcharts provide a visual representation of a process, making it easier to
understand the flow of activities and identify potential areas for
improvement.

 Clarity and consistency:


Flowcharts provide a clear and consistent way of representing a process,
making it easier for stakeholders to communicate and collaborate.

 Identifying inefficiencies:
Flowcharts can be used to identify inefficiencies, redundancies, and
bottlenecks in a process, allowing organizations to streamline their
operations and improve productivity.
 Root cause analysis:
Flowcharts can be used to identify the root cause of a problem or issue,
helping organizations to address the underlying cause and prevent future
occurrences.

 Standardization:
Flowcharts can be used to standardize processes and procedures, ensuring
that they are consistent across different departments and functions.

 Quality control:
Flowcharts can be used to ensure that quality control measures are being
implemented effectively, helping organizations to improve product or
service quality.

 Process improvement:
Flowcharts can be used to identify areas for improvement and develop
solutions to streamline processes and improve efficiency, helping
organizations to save time and reduce costs.
KEY STEPS TO FORM A FLOWCHART
 Define the process:
The first step in creating a flowchart is to define the process that you want
to chart. This involves understanding the inputs, outputs, activities, and
participants in the process.

 Identify the boundaries:


Determine the beginning and end points of the process, and identify any
constraints or limitations that need to be considered.

 Identify the steps:


Break down the process into individual steps, and identify the order in
which they occur.

 Define the symbols:


Choose the appropriate symbols to represent each step in the process.
Standard symbols used in flowcharts include rectangles, diamonds, circles,
and arrows.
 Draw the flowchart:
Use a flowcharting tool or software to create the flowchart, and add the
symbols and connecting lines to represent the process flow.

 Test the flowchart:


Test the flowchart to ensure that it accurately represents the process and that
it is easy to follow.

 Review and revise:


Review the flowchart with other stakeholders to ensure that it accurately
represents the process, and make revisions as needed.

 Implement the changes:


Use the flowchart to identify areas for improvement and implement changes
to streamline the process, reduce errors, and improve quality.
COMMONLY USED SYMBOLS IN FLOWCHARTS
 Start/End Symbol

 Process Symbol

 Decision Symbol:

 Input/Output Symbol

 Connector Symbol

 Delay Symbol

 Loop Symbol

 Annotation Symbol
DIFFERENT TYPES OF FLOWCHARTS USED IN QUALITY
MANAGEMENT.
Each type of flowchart has its own specific purpose and can be used to
analyze different aspects of a process. The most commonly used flowcharts
in quality management include:
1. Process flowchart:
A process flowchart shows the steps in a process or workflow, and the
order in which they occur. It is used to visualize the flow of activities and
identify inefficiencies or bottlenecks in the process. Process flowcharts are
commonly used in quality management to analyze and improve processes.

2. Swimlane flowchart:
A swimlane flowchart shows the activities in a process divided into
different lanes or sections, with each lane representing a specific
department, function, or participant in the process. Swimlane flowcharts are
useful in quality management to identify handoffs and responsibilities, and
to analyze the interactions between different participants in the process.
3. Value stream map:
A value stream map is a type of flowchart that shows the flow of materials
and information through a process, from supplier to customer. It is used to
identify waste and inefficiencies in the process, and to design improvements
that reduce lead times and improve quality. Value stream maps are
commonly used in lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
4. Data flow diagram:
A data flow diagram shows the flow of data through a system or process. It
is used to analyze and improve data processing and communication
systems. Data flow diagrams are commonly used in software development
and database management.
5. Cause-and-effect diagram:
A cause-and-effect diagram, also known as a fishbone diagram or Ishikawa
diagram, is a type of flowchart that shows the relationships between
different factors that contribute to a problem or outcome. It is used to
identify the root cause of a problem and to develop solutions to address it.
Cause-and-effect diagrams are commonly used in quality management and
problem-solving methodologies such as Six Sigma.
CONCLUSION
Overall, flowcharts are a powerful tool in quality management, helping
organizations to visualize their processes, identify areas for improvement,
and optimize their operations to achieve higher levels of quality and
efficiency.

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