EEE154 Engineering Drawing
Lecture 3:
Flowcharts
Dr. Jilan Samiuddin (JSA)
Assistant Professor
North South University
Introduction to Flowcharts
• Definition: Visual diagrams mapping steps, decisions, and sequences in
a process
• Key applications: Process documentation, decision trees, system
design, and troubleshooting
• Benefits:
• Clarify complex processes (a study showed 65% of people are visual learners)
• Reveal redundancies and bottlenecks 10
• Historical context: Developed by Frank and Lillian Gilbreth in the 1920s
for industrial efficiency
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Flowchart Symbols and Meanings
Standardized symbols ensure universal understanding, e.g., use
diamonds for decisions and rectangles for steps.
Symbol Shape Purpose
Terminator Oval Start/End points
Process Rectangle Main actions/steps
Decision Diamond Yes/No questions or branching
paths
Data Parallelogram Input/Output of information
…and many more!
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Flowchart Symbols and Meanings (contd.)
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Planning Your Flowchart
1. Define purpose: What process will be mapped? (e.g., "User login
workflow")
2. Identify key steps and decisions
3. Sketch a draft to organize components logically
4. Gather data from stakeholders for accuracy
5. Select tools: drawIO, PowerPoint, Google Slides, or specialized tools
like Lucidchart
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Connecting Shapes and Ensuring Flow
• Arrow types:
• Solid lines: Sequential flow
• Dotted lines: Optional/suggested paths
• Return arrows: Loops (e.g., "Re-enter password")
• Rules:
• Every path must lead somewhere.
• Decision diamonds require two outgoing paths (Yes/No)
• Avoid: Crossed lines; use connectors for clarity
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Example 1
A flowchart of how to input two
numbers from the user and display
the largest of two numbers.
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Example 2
A flowchart of how a particular
hospital processes its clinical cases.
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Exercise 1- Simple Decision: "Is it Bullying?"
• Start: "Observe behavior"
• Decision (Diamond): "Was harm intentional?" → Yes/No
• If Yes: Process: "Classify as bullying → Report"
• If No: Process: "Address as conflict → Mediate"
• End: "Resolution"
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Exercise 2 – Online Shopping Checkout
• Start: "Add item to cart"
• Process: "Proceed to checkout"
• Decision: "Logged in?" → If No: Process: "Enter credentials"
• Process: "Enter payment details"
• End: "Place order"
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Exercise 3 – ATM Withdrawal
• Start the process.
• Ask the user for their PIN.
• Verify the PIN (assume correct PIN is 1234).
• If incorrect, allow up to 3 attempts.
• If all attempts fail, exit the process with an error message.
• Display the current account balance (assume starting balance is $1,000).
• Ask the user to enter an amount to withdraw.
• If the withdrawal amount is:
• More than the available balance, display “Insufficient Funds” and ask again.
• Less than or equal to the balance, process the withdrawal and update the balance.
• Ask the user if they want to perform another transaction.
• If yes, repeat
• If no, exit the program with a “Thank You” message.
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Exercise 3 –
Solution
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Exercise 4 – Student Course Registration System
• Start: Student logs in to the system
• Display available courses
• Student selects a course
• Check for prerequisites and seat availability
• If either fails, show appropriate message and allow another selection
• If valid, register student
• Update seat count and student course list
• Ask if student wants to register another course
• If yes, go back to course selection
• If no, confirm registration summary
• Logout and End
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Exercise 5 – Online Food Ordering System
• Start the process
• User login
• If incorrect, allow up to 5 attempts.
• If all attempts fail, exit the process with an error message.
• Display menu
• User selects food items (can be multiple)
• Confirm the order
• Choose a payment method
• If Cash on Delivery, confirm order
• If Online Payment, proceed to payment verification
• Check payment success
• If successful, proceed
• If failed, offer to retry or cancel
• Order confirmed
• Display estimated delivery time
• End 14
Exercise 5 – Food Packaging
• A fruit packing station receives a batch of 20 fruits. Each fruit
must be checked for defects. Create a flowchart that does the
following:
• Start the process
• Loop through each fruit:
• Ask: Is the fruit acceptable?
• Repeat until all 20 fruits are checked
• Display:
• Total accepted
• Total rejected
• End
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