Process Flowchart
A process flowchart is a graphical representation of a business through a flowchart. It’s
used as a means of getting a top-down understanding of how a process works, what
steps it consists of, what events change outcomes, and so on.
A business process is a series of repeatable tasks your business needs to carry out in
order to achieve the business goal.
Process flowcharts are an essential part of business process mapping. They help
visualize your processes, making them significantly easier to fully comprehend.
Understanding how a process works
Improving the Process – Once you know how the process works, you can figure out
potential improvements. You could, for example, remove or automate certain steps. You
can even completely re-engineer the process and fundamentally change how it works.
Standardizing a Process – Unless you’ve documented your processes, your employees
will figure out different ways to carry it out. With a process flowchart, you can ensure
that everyone’s on the same page about how the process should be done.
Writing a Standard Operating Procedure – A process flowchart is just that – a flowchart.
SOPs on the other hand, are a full documentation on how that process functions, how to
carry it out, what tools or tech to use, and so on.
How to Draw a Process Flowchart in 3 Steps
Step #1: Decide Whether You Need a Process Flowchart
Before you can even start learning about the process, you should make sure that a
process flowchart is the right tool for the job.
If your aim is process analysis from a more top-level perspective, you might want to use
other tools. While process flowcharts are perfect for detailing the step-by-steps of a
process, they’re not as useful for gaining a deeper understanding.
SIPOC diagram, for example, analyses the entire process of product creation and
delivery. It’s divided into 5 parts – suppliers, inputs, processes, outputs, customers.
Step #2: Gather the Right Information
Unless you’re the one working on the process on a daily basis, you probably need to
catch up on the details.
Even if the process seems simple or straightforward at a glance, there are a lot of small
details that add up to it.
For example:
• What the exact process steps are
• Variables and events. In which situations do you deviate from a process
• Who’s in charge of what process step
To understand the inner workings of a process, consult shop floor employees. Set up a
meeting and pick their brains. Who knows, maybe they’ll even have ideas on how to
improve the process.
Step #3: Create the Process Flowchart
Once you have the information on how a process works, you can actually start drawing
the flowchart.
If you want to keep it simple, you can use the basic process symbols…
Process Flowchart Example
Employee Onboarding Process
Just about every company ends up hiring new employees. Onboarding is an essential
step in getting them up to speed & educating them on how the company or department
functions.
Hence, it’s always a good idea to have a clear, structured process for this.
While the process varies from company to company, here’s a basic example…
1. The HR gets the new employee to sign up the documents or legalities
2. The documents go through an approval process between the HR and company
management
3. HR lets the company employees know about the new hire through email
4. Office manager prepares all the necessary supplies or handouts
a. Tech – software access, personal computer, etc.
b. Welcome swag – Gifts, company t-shirt, etc.
c. Onboarding materials
d. Entrance ID
