What are flowchart

A flowchart is a picture of the separate steps of a process in sequential order. It is a generic tool that can be adapted for a wide variety of purposes, and can be used to describe various processes, such as a manufacturing process, an administrative or service process, or a project plan. It's a common process analysis tool and one of the seven basic quality tools. Elements that may be included in a flowchart are a sequence of actions, materials or services entering or leaving the process (inputs and outputs), decisions that must be made, people who become involved, time involved at each step, and/or process measurements.

COMMONLY USED SYMBOLS IN DETAILED FLOWCHARTS

One step in the process. The step is written inside the box. Usually, only one arrow goes out of the box.

 Direction of flow from one step or decision to another.

 Decision based on a question. The question is written in the diamond. More than one arrow goes out of the diamond, each one showing the direction the process takes for a given answer to the question. (Often the answers are "yes" and "no.")

Delay or wait

Link to another page or another flowchart. The same symbol on the other page indicates that the flow continues there.

 Input or output

Document

Alternate symbols for start and end points