Flow charts are visual illustrations of the progression of a procedure. Whether it be a major team project or the implementation of a system, flow charts are very useful to indicate important information. In business, flow charts can improve productivity and ensure a better outcome by following a step-by-step process with lines and symbols to represent vital components.
There are many flow chart types that can be used for a variety of different objectives and a well-made flowchart helps to split important tasks into easily manageable responsibilities that are easy to follow. Here we will look at five different types of flowcharts and how they work.
Decision-Making
Those yes or no visual questionnaires found in magazines are a type of flowchart to help someone make an important decision – check out this link for a flowchart template and the benefits they offer. A flow chart starts from the top with a few simple scenarios. Depending on the situation, a person can make smaller decisions based on specific variables. This type of flow chart is incredibly useful and commonly used in business to help logically make important decisions by following a decision tree.
For example, a salesperson can use a decision flow chart to target new customers. For every answer the potential customer gives, there is a yes or no scenario that can be followed. If a customer is interested in hearing about a specific sale, then the representative can move on to the next step of finalizing that deal. They can use a decision-making flow chart by starting with the basics of the objective. Each consequent step must build onto the one before it based on whether the response is yes or no.
Process Mapping
This one is straight and simple. A process mapping flowchart is used for projects where planning needs to take place. It can be used to map out responsibilities in a team project to provide visual clarity on the objectives that need to be achieved. This type of flow chart is beneficial for manufacturing procedures that need to map out the specific steps to take to complete a project or process. It describes the incremental steps required to achieve the desired result.
To use a process mapping flow chart, think of the bigger project scope and work backward to identify the relevant components that will help to finish that project. In the case of something simple like building a wooden shed, first, the layout of the shed needs to be decided, so that it is easy to calculate how many wood pallets, nails, and other tools are needed for the job.
Rummler-Brache Cross-Functional
For the more complicated procedures, this flow chart is also known as a swimlane diagram. The main function of a cross-functional flow chart is to delineate relationships between specific decisions, employees, or documents. In essence, when there is a complex procedure that needs to be followed, such as the case of disputes and appeals, there is a specific order in which certain functions must take place. Any additional variables must be included in this type of flow chart to identify all of the important components.
To use a swimlane flow chart information must be read from either the top to the bottom or from the left to the right. The idea is to use this type of flow chart to describe how important documents or procedures are processed. If there are multiple categories, then each needs to connect with the other one systematically. For training employees or handling legal disputes, this type of flow chart is beneficial.
Data Analysis
A data flow chart shows how different information is gathered and processed for a variety of functions. This type is useful to show how information can be analyzed to improve other functions or situations. For example, to analyze a customer’s purchasing behavior, a data flowchart can help to identify where customer retention is lacking and what the reasons are.
A business can use a data flow diagram to outline the process of completing a sale. The customer is first contacted, then offered a product or service. If accepted, then the order is processed and provided to the customer. It maps out the fundamental steps that need to be taken to manage data and use it effectively.
Site Map
Useful for business websites, site maps help to specify the flow of how the website runs or should operate. This is a necessary flow chart type when designing a website to help those developing the site to understand the individual pages and information that must be included. When changes need to be made to a website then a site map is used to understand how each page connects to the next. If a change is made on one page it may affect another, so site maps are useful to avoid this issue.
A site map basically outlines the navigation of a website, how different pages connect to each other, and what they will look like to the viewer. In many cases, a website can be difficult to visualize unless all of the individual aspects are shown and how they flow on from one another.
Flowcharts can provide a variety of benefits for pretty much any process or procedure that needs to be carried out. Regardless of the objective, there is a flowchart to assist with any business or even personal function.
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