Basic flowcharting

These are the basics of flowcharting.

For more information, on why you’d want to flowchart and what it will do for you, read the 7 reasons to document what you do, and the Quick and Easy Guide to Documenting what you do

There are two types of symbols

• a square/rectangle (for an action)
• a diamond (for a decision)

Arrows join the symbols together

• squares may have only one arrow coming out of them
• diamonds always have exactly two arrows coming out of them –
  a “yes” and a “no”
• there can be as many arrows coming into a symbol as necessary

The flowchart can go across or down the page

Some practical tips

• using post-it notes makes it easier to relocate symbols as you develop the flowchart
• once you are sure of how the flowchart goes, there are software packages available to chart them. Try ABC Flowcharter, Visio or PowerPoint.

Flowcharts are also called

• process maps
• work flow diagrams
• process charts
• process flows
• work flows

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