2 flow charts
- 2. FLOW CHART DEFINITION A flowchart is a graphic representation of how a process works, showing, at a minimum, the sequence of steps.
- 3. WHAT IS FLOWCHART Several types of flowcharts exist: the most simple (high level, a detailed version (detailed, and one that also indicates the people involved in the steps (or matrix). The flowchart is a means to visually present the flow of data through an information processing systems, the operations performed within the system and the sequence in which they are performed. In this lesson, we shall concern ourselves with the program flowchart, which describes what operations (and in what sequence) are required to solve a given problem. The program flowchart can be likened to the blueprint of a building. As we know, a designer draws a blueprint before starting to construct a building. Similarly, a programmer prefers to draw a flowchart prior to writing a computer program. As in the case of the drawing of a blueprint, the flowchart is drawn according to defined rules and using standard flowchart symbols prescribed by the American National Standard Institute, Inc.
- 4. MEANING OF A FLOW CHART A flowchart is a diagrammatic representation that illustrates the sequence of operations to be performed to get the solution of a problem. Flowcharts are generally drawn in the early stages of formulating computer solutions. Flowcharts facilitate communication between programmers and business people. These flowcharts play a vital role in the programming of a problem and are quite helpful in understanding the logic of complicated and lengthy problems. Once the flowchart is drawn, it becomes easy to write the program in any high level language. Often we see how flowcharts are helpful in explaining the program to others. Hence, it is correct to say that a flowchart is a must for the better documentation of a complex program.
- 5. • Flow is a representation of a series of logic operations to satisfy specific requirements. A flow exists naturally. It can be irregular, unfixed or full of problems. For this reason, it may apparently be absent in some situations. Lately, members of a team were assigned to investigate the flow of a business process, and I was told that there were some deficiencies in the flow. The reply from the person who was in charge of the team was that no flow was shown in part of the business process. As a matter of fact, it is impossible for a business carried out without a flow. It may be a flow in an unfixed form, or, may be the person himself whom you investigated does not have a clear sense about the flow. • Chart, or diagram, is a presentation or a written description of some regular and common parts of the flow. A chart is conducive to communication and concentration and offers references for process reengineering. • Flow chart can be seen from the definition that a flow accompanies always with business or transaction. Not all of the flows, however, are appropriate to be expressed by flowcharts. Flows that can be expressed by charts follow some fixed routines, and the key links of flows won't be changed constantly.
- 6. WHEN TO USE FLOW CHART A flowchart helps to clarify how things are currently working and how they could be improved. It also assists in finding the key elements of a process, while drawing clear lines between where one process ends and the next one starts. Developing a flowchart stimulates communication among participants and establishes a common understanding about the process. Flowcharts also uncover steps that are redundant or misplaced. In addition, flowcharts are used to identify appropriate team members, to identify who provides inputs or resources to whom, to establish important areas for monitoring or data collection, to identify areas for improvement or increased efficiency, and to generate hypotheses about causes. Flowcharts can be used to examine processes for the flow of patients, information, materials, clinical care, or combinations of these processes. It is recommended that flowcharts be created through group discussion, as individuals rarely know the entire process and the communication contributes to improvement.
- 7. TYPES OF FLOWCHARTS Basic Flowchart is often used to define and document basic work and data flows, financial, production and quality management processes to increase efficiency of you business. Business Process Modeling Diagram is a graphical representation for specifying business processes in a workflow. Process Flowchart is also known as the system flow diagram or SFD. The main reason of using process flowchart is to show the relation between major parts of the system. Cross Functional Flowchart is often used to show the relationship between a business process and the functional units (such as departments) responsible for that process.
- 8. Procedure Flowchart involves creating a flow chart model that illustrates and analyzes the overall flow of activities in producing a product or service. Data Flow Diagram is a significant modeling technique for analyzing and constructing information processes. IDEF Flowchart is used to apply structured methods to better understand how to improve manufacturing productivity. IDEF2 is often used to represent the time varying behavior of resources in a manufacturing system, providing a framework for specification of math model-based simulations. List is used to draw commonly used list, block list, picture list and table list. Process is used to show a progression or sequential steps in a task, process or workflow.
- 9. SDL Diagram is widely used to model state machines in the telecommunications, aviation, automotive and medical industries. Program Flowchart is a graphic representation of an algorithm, often used in the design phase of programming to work out the logical flow of a program. It demonstrates how a program works within a system. Workflow Diagram is used to create diagrams of information flow, business process automation, business process re-engineering, accounting, management and human resources tasks.
- 10. Value Stream Mapping is a mechanism to improve cycle times and productivity by visually separating value-adding from non-value-adding activities. Highlight Flowchart is used to create good-looking style flowcharts. System Flowchart helps to understand how complex systems work. Systems analyzed may be anything from businesses, through biological population models, to the impact of social policy, etc. Document Flowchart is commonly used to trace the movement of a document, such as internal memos, payroll information and interoffice mail through a system.
- 11. A SET OF USEFUL STANDARD FLOWCHART SYMBOLS It is not strictly necessary to use boxes, circles, diamonds or other such symbols to construct a flowchart, but these do help to describe the types of events in the chart more clearly. Described below are a set of standard symbols which are applicable to most situations without being overly complex. Rounded box - use it to represent an event which occurs automatically. Such an event will trigger a subsequent action, for example `receive telephone call', or describe a new state of affairs.
- 12. Rectangle or box - use it to represent an event which is controlled within the process. Typically this will be a step or action which is taken. In most flowcharts this will be the most frequently used symbol. Diamond - use it to represent a decision point in the process. Typically, the statement in the symbol will require a `yes' or `no' response and branch to different parts of the flowchart accordingly. Circle - use it to represent a point at which the flowchart connects with another process. The name or reference for the other process should appear within the symbol.
- 14. EXAMPLE