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  • What Is A Process Flowchart - Process Flow Diagrams - ASQ

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    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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    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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    55 views5 pages

    What Is A Process Flowchart - Process Flow Diagrams - ASQ

    Uploaded by

    Haseeb Bokhari
    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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    of 5

    4/27/2017 WhatisaProcessFlowchart?

    ProcessFlowDiagrams|ASQ

    ne

    MENU

    LEARNABOUTQUALITY
    ABOUT P ROCE S S ANALYS I S T OOLS

    RE S OURCE S

    RE LAT E D T OP I CS

    / Quality Resources / Learn About Quality / P r o c e s s A n a l y s i s To o l s / Flowchart

    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
    http://asq.org/learnaboutquality/processanalysistools/overview/flowchart.html 3/5
    4/27/2017 WhatisaProcessFlowchart?ProcessFlowDiagrams|ASQ
    Inputoroutput

    Document

    Alternatesymbolsforstartandendpoints

    Develop a Process Flowchart


    Createagraphicalrepresentationofthestepsinaprocesstobetterunderstanditandrevealopportunitiesfor
    improvement.StartusingtheFlowchartTemplate(Excel,57KB).

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