A flowchart graphically represents the different steps of a process. It can be a production process, a service process, an administrative process or a project plan. It is a tool that is not limited to a single domain. The flowchart can be adapted for a large number of purposes.
The flowchart, what is it?
A flowchart allows you to map the information flow of a wide variety of processes or systems. It graphically describes these in order to make them more intelligible, easier to understand and analyze.
A flowchart uses symbols to represent data inputs, outputs, journeys… the flow of the process from start to finish.
This flowchart is used to analyze an existing system or to model a future system, by tracing the flow of information who circulates there as well as processing and decision points. Allowing to express clearly what would be complicated to explain with words, the diagram is still as popular despite the time that has elapsed since the appearance of the first Flowchart. It is aimed at both an expert in mechanical engineering and a sales representative. It is not specifically created for a technical audience.
How it works ?
You have to start by defining a objectiveand champ d’action and identify the tasks to be done in chronological order. Then you have to match the steps with the symbols.
Typically, this is what each symbol in the diagram represents:
- The rectangle with rounded ends : terminal activities, that is to say the beginning and end activities.
- Le rectangle : activity or stage. Each rectangle represents a single activity or step.
- The diamond : decision point. Inside the diamond is the question to be answered or the decision to be made. The response indicates the continuation of the path to the next step.
- flow lines : progression from one step to another.
A flowchart can be drawn by hand as a rough draft to lay out the most important steps. However, making changes, revisions, etc. is very complicated manually.
This is why thes diagramming tools are so popular, they offer tremendous benefits.
Levels of detail
A fairly general flowchart can reveal much more detail through theuse of levels. This takes place when thefocus on one point in particular and that we make a diagram of it in turn.
Diagrams are level 0, 1 or 2, they rarely go to level 3. The level 0 diagram is called the context diagramit is an overview of the whole process.
The level 1 diagram goes into more detail. It focuses on the main functions of the context diagram.
The level 2 diagram breaks down the level 1 diagram. It’s like zooming in even further with a microscope and studying details that are not apparent at first glance.
It is possible to go to levels 3, 4, etc., but the risk is that this too large zoom makes the graph incomprehensible.
flowchart software
In view of what has been explained above, it is easy to understand why the realization of a diagram manually is complicated. This is why many are moving towards diagramming tools and enjoy their benefits.
These creators allow save, edit, and share a diagram.
Standard models are offered by the tool, the user can choose one and use it as he wishes.
The different collaborators will find it easier to work together thanks to the file sharing, annotations, group work in sum.
The first flow diagrams were designed and developed by computer scientistsno wonder that it is in computing that they continue to survive today.