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What Is A Process Flowchart - Process Flow Diagrams - ASQ

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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235 views5 pages

What Is A Process Flowchart - Process Flow Diagrams - ASQ

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.

Uploaded by

Haseeb Bokhari
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

4/27/2017 WhatisaProcessFlowchart?

ProcessFlowDiagrams|ASQ

ne

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LEARNABOUTQUALITY
ABOUT P ROCE S S ANALYS I S T OOLS

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/ 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
[Link].

When to Use a Flowchart


[Link] 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 [Link].
2 Discussanddecideontheboundariesofyourprocess:Whereorwhendoestheprocessstart?Whereorwhen
doesitend?Discussanddecideonthelevelofdetailtobeincludedinthediagram.
3 [Link]
point,althoughthinkinginsequencemayhelppeoplerememberallthesteps.
4 Arrangetheactivitiesinpropersequence.
5 Whenallactivitiesareincludedandeveryoneagreesthatthesequenceiscorrect,drawarrowstoshowthe
flowoftheprocess.
6 Reviewtheflowchartwithothersinvolvedintheprocess(workers,supervisors,suppliers,customers)toseeif
theyagreethattheprocessisdrawnaccurately.

Flowchart Considerations
[Link]
involvedunderstandtheprocess.
[Link]
whodotheworkintheprocess:suppliers,[Link]
sessionsbyinterviewingthembeforethesessionsand/orbyshowingthemthedevelopingflowchartbetween
worksessionsandobtainingtheirfeedback.
[Link].
[Link],but
themethodgivenhereworksbetterforthemessyinitialstagesofcreatingtheflowchart.

[Link],SecondEdition,ASQQualityPress,2004,pages255257.

Flowchart Examples

HighLevelFlowchartforanOrderFillingProcess

DetailedFlowchart

[Link] 2/5
4/27/2017 WhatisaProcessFlowchart?ProcessFlowDiagrams|ASQ

Commonly Used Symbols in Detailed Flowcharts

[Link],onlyonearrowgoesoutofthebox.

Directionofflowfromonestepordecisiontoanother.

[Link]

ofthediamond,eachoneshowingthedirectiontheprocesstakesforagivenanswertothequestion.(Oftenthe
answersareyesandno.)

Delayorwait

[Link]

continuesthere.

Inputoroutput
[Link] 3/5
4/27/2017 WhatisaProcessFlowchart?ProcessFlowDiagrams|ASQ
Inputoroutput

Document

Alternatesymbolsforstartandendpoints

Develop a Process Flowchart


Createagraphicalrepresentationofthestepsinaprocesstobetterunderstanditandrevealopportunitiesfor
[Link](Excel,57KB).

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[Link] 4/5
4/27/2017 WhatisaProcessFlowchart?ProcessFlowDiagrams|ASQ

[Link] 5/5

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