Effective project management often requires clear and organized planning diagrams, such as flowcharts. With flowcharts, you can communicate effectively, follow steps in the right order, and meet deadlines.
Flowcharts are vital tools for visually representing processes, making complex workflows easier to understand and manage. Aligning your flowcharts with the proper standards ensures clarity and consistency, which helps avoid costly mistakes and improve overall productivity.
So, let's discuss step-by-step how to create a flowchart. Whether you're a project manager, team leader, or anyone needing to streamline tasks, this guide will help you with practical tips to enhance your workflow and achieve your goals more efficiently.
In this article
Part 1: What is a Flowchart?
Think of a flowchart as a visual representation of a process or system, divided into sequential steps and connected by arrows. It simplifies complex concepts by breaking them into individual actions, making them easier to understand. The flowchart uses symbols to represent these actions and arrows to show the flow of the process.
Flowcharts are used in various areas of our daily life. Let us take a look at different uses of flow charts;
- Teachers use flowcharts to deliver lectures on complex topics.
- Students of different levels use flowcharts for better understanding and learning.
- Project managers use flowcharts to plan the direction and implementation of the projects.
- Software developers use flowcharts to design algorithms and debug code.
- Medical professionals use flowcharts to organize and simplify patient care.
Benefits of Using Flowcharts
Flowcharts offer numerous advantages across various industries by providing a clear and visual representation of processes. Here are some key benefits:
1. Simplify the Process
If you are a software developer, a flowchart can help you build the logic of an algorithm and help developers grasp the sequence and structure of the code. So, the flowchart helps in the simplification of the process.
2. Strengthen-up the Communication
Put yourself in the shoes of a project manager who needs buy-in from key players and the team to get the job done well. Stakeholders and your team can visually understand and communicate your project concept via flowcharts. This way, the flowchart facilitates better communication between individuals regardless of their expertise.
3. Efficiency and Productivity
If you are in the manufacturing department, the flowchart will help the managers understand the bottlenecks in the workflow and allow the authorities to adjust. This will help improve efficiency and increase productivity.
4. Effective Problem-solving
With the use of flowcharts, it becomes easy to identify where the problems lie within that particular process. For instance, a flowchart can guide technicians through a step-by-step diagnostic procedure in troubleshooting technical issues, leading to quicker and more accurate resolutions.
5. Help in Training Employees
If you train new employees, a flowchart should be your go-to option. A flowchart helps outline the department's SOPs. This allows new hires to understand and perform their tasks correctly from the start.
Part 2: Types of Flowchart Structures
You are wrong if you think a flowchart is just some boxes following arrows. There are numerous types of flowcharts, and each flowchart serves a unique purpose.
And Guess what? EdrawMax's template gallery contains examples of different types of flowcharts. Let's look at three popular types of flowcharts and their designs.
1. Decision Flowchart
As the name says, decision flowcharts are used in the process of making decisions. The decision points in this type of flowchart are in diamond-shaped symbols.
The decision points of the flowchart create branches, showing different routes based on the decision. These charts incorporate questions, answers, and yes and no as part of the flow.
Usage of Design Flowchart
- Project managers use it for strategic decision-making and process optimization.
- Software developers used to design and debug algorithms with conditional logic.
- The customer service team follows standardized troubleshooting protocols.
- Medical professionals use it to ensure consistent patient care and treatment plans.
2. Process Flowchart
A process flowchart describes the actions and steps of the process. These flowcharts contain standard symbols to tell the process or actions and arrows to match the sequences of each action.
Consider this flowchart as a guideway to help you achieve the task or hit your goal. It will help you understand, analyze, and improve the process by splitting the tasks into manageable tasks.
Usage of Process Flowchart
- To outline the steps in the production line, from raw materials to finished products.
- To detail customer service processes, like handling customer inquiries or processing returns.
- To describe procedures such as employee onboarding or document approval workflows.
- To map out patient care processes, from admission to discharge.
3. Swimlane Flowchart
Have you ever felt like you need clarification with a complex flowchart? This is where the swimlane flowchart got you. A swimlane flowchart is a type of flowchart that consists of multiple lanes of information from every angle.
Each lane describes the different departments, roles, or participants. This diagram shows how numerous components interact and contribute to the process.
Usage of Swimlane Flowchart
- To map out cross-departmental workflows, such as product development or order fulfillment.
- To detail project tasks and responsibilities across different teams.
- To show the flow of customer inquiries through various support levels and departments.
- To illustrate patient care processes involving multiple departments (e.g., admissions, diagnostics, treatment).
Part 3: How to Make a Flowchart?
Creating a flowchart requires a sequential series of steps to ensure each step accurately represents the process. Here is a 6-step guide on how you can make a flowchart.
Understand the Purpose
First, understand why you are making the flowchart and what you are trying to portray. Identify and list all the steps you want to add to the flowchart.
Gather Information
Collect all necessary information about each step in the process. Talk to stakeholders, review documents, and observe the process to ensure you have all the details.
Choose Your Flowchart Tool
Decide whether to use paper and pen or a digital tool like EdrawMax, Microsoft Visio, or Lucidchart. Digital tools often provide templates and ease of modification.
Use Symbols Wisely
Each flowchart symbol is used at a specific point, and each of them has its purpose; for example:
- The oval is used at the starting and ending points.
- The rectangle is used in the process steps or tasks.
- The Diamond is used at the decision points.
- The parallelogram is used to define inputs and outputs.
- The arrows define the direction of the flow.
1. Customize the Flowchart
Once you outline your flowchart, it’s time for customization. Customize it according to your needs and requirements; add the relevant information in the symbols, add colors, and use various fonts.
2. Review and Edit
Finally, the flowchart is good to go. But before you share it with friends and colleagues, examine the sequence. Ask yourself questions like:
- Is the symbol connected to another symbol in a sequential form?
- Is the color and symbol coordination of the flowchart perfect to go?
- Do you need a more accurate representation of linking words?
You can enhance the flow of information within the flowchart by carefully examining these details.
Part 4: Methods to Make a Flowchart
Creating a flowchart from scratch can be time-consuming. However, advanced flowchart generators have made it easier and faster, one such software being EdrawMax. Let's make a flowchart using this tool and see whether it is of any help.
Method 1: Create a Flowchart From Templates
Step 1:
First, download and launch EdrawMax. Log in to your Wondershare ID or access it with your social network accounts.
Try EdrawMax App (iOS & Android)
Scan Now
500+ Reviews
Navigate to the Template option from the main menu to create a flowchart.
Step 2:
Once there, use the search bar to enter the keyword flowchart. This will display a variety of flowchart templates. Browse through the available options, and when you find the one that fits your needs, scroll down to it and click Use Immediately to start customizing the template.
Step 3:
It’s time to customize your template to meet your specific needs. To change or enhance your chosen template, use the Templates option in the left-hand sidebar
Step 4:
To edit any text or symbol, navigate through the left-hand sidebar or use the Insert tab at the top to add shapes. Simply drag and drop your desired symbols or text elements into place.
Step 5:
To add colors to your flowchart, navigate to the Design tab and choose from various built-in themes. This allows you to apply a consistent color scheme to your template easily.
Method 2: Create a Flowchart Using AI (Turn Text into A Flowchart)
Try EdrawMax App (iOS & Android)
Scan Now
500+ Reviews
Step 1:
Once logged in, click the EdrawAI feature from the recommended menu at the top. Select the AI Flowchart option from the tabs below.
Step 2:
Now, you will be redirected to a new, blank canvas where an AI chatbot will appear on the right side. In the AI chatbot, enter your desired prompt to create the initial draft of the flowchart.
Step 3:
Next, customize your flowchart using the one-click beautify option from the design tab. Choose the element you want to enhance, such as a diagram, shape, or text. Next, click the One Click Beautify button, and EdrawMax will automatically apply the formatting improvements to the selected element.
Tips on How to Create Ideal FlowCharts
Creating effective flowcharts involves more than just following basic rules. Here are some tips to make an interactive flowchart design.
1. Wise Color Selection
Use different colors to differentiate between various actions, decision points, and endpoints, making a flowchart much easier to read.
2. Limited Elements
Keep the steps and decision points in your flowchart limited. Consider breaking a process into multiple, simpler flowcharts if it is too complicated.
3. Consistent Pattern
Keep the size, shapes, connectors, and spacing between them the same size and distance. This will help create a neat, professional flowchart that is neat and easy to understand.
4. Use Directional Flow
Standardize the direction flow, either top to bottom or left to right; it is intuitive. Mixing directions will make your flowchart complicated.
5. Interactive Elements
For digital flowcharts, hyperlinks or clickable elements are used to navigate to sub-processes or related documents.
Helpful Flowchart Templates from EdrawMax
1. Employee Onboarding Flowchart
This template outlines the steps in the employee onboarding process, from the initial job offer to the first-month review. It is ideal for HR departments to ensure a smooth onboarding experience.
2. Customer Service Process Flowchart
Shows what happens at each inquiry and any customer issues. It is excellent for customer service teams to organize their processes better and make their operations smoother.
3. Project Management Workflow Flowchart
Flowchart helps map out project management stages, from initiation to closing. It is helpful for project managers to plan, execute, and monitor project activities effectively.
4. Software Development Flowchart
It helps plan the software development lifecycle, including planning, coding, testing, and deployment. Ideal for software development teams to manage their workflows and track progress.
5. Healthcare Process Flowchart
Flowchart visualizes patient care processes, from admission to discharge. It is applicable for healthcare providers to ensure consistent and efficient patient care.
Start Flowcharting Today!
You may not be wondering how to make a flowchart anymore. An effective flowchart enhances project management, communication, and overall productivity. If you follow the steps and tips given in this article, you are more likely to make your complex projects into more simple steps and will avoid any inconvenience.
If following all the steps seems tiring, go with EdrawMax flowchart templates. All of them are editable; a few changes will make it your flowchart. So, what are you waiting for; start flowcharting today and simplify your professional life.
EdrawMax Desktop
Edraw.AI
