Mastering Flowchart Symbols: The Ultimate Toolkit for Process Improvement Professionals

calendar Jul 18, 2023 · 3 min read · Flowchart Symbols Process Analysis Improvement  ·
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Flowcharts are a powerful tool used by professionals across various industries to visualize, analyze, and optimize processes. According to a survey, 75% of organizations use flowcharts as a problem-solving tool, with 60% reporting improved process efficiency as a result (Source: "2022 Process Improvement Survey" by AIIM). As a process improvement professional, mastering flowchart symbols is crucial to effectively communicate ideas, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes.

Before diving into the advanced symbols, it's essential to understand the basic symbols that make up a flowchart. These include:

  • Rectangle: Represents a process or activity
  • Rhombus: Represents a decision or choice
  • Ellipse: Represents the start or end of a process
  • Arrow: Represents the direction of flow between symbols
  • Line: Represents a connection between symbols

These basic symbols provide the foundation for creating flowcharts that accurately represent complex processes.

While the basic symbols provide a good starting point, advanced symbols are required to create a comprehensive and accurate flowchart. Some of these symbols include:

  • Document: Represents a document or report
  • Input/Output: Represents data input or output
  • Manual Operation: Represents a manual process or task
  • Delay: Represents a delay or waiting period
  • Predefined Process: Represents a predefined or standard process

These advanced symbols enable process improvement professionals to capture more detailed information and nuances of the process, leading to more effective analysis and improvement.

Flowchart symbols can also be used to identify root causes of problems and develop solutions. By mapping out a process using flowchart symbols, professionals can:

  • Identify瓶 necks and inefficiencies
  • Visualize the flow of materials and information
  • Identify opportunities for improvement
  • Develop solutions to address problems

For example, the "5 Whys" method can be used in conjunction with flowchart symbols to drill down to the root cause of a problem. This involves asking "why" five times to drill down to the underlying cause of a problem.

To ensure effective use of flowchart symbols, the following best practices should be followed:

  • Use a standardized set of symbols to maintain consistency
  • Keep the flowchart simple and focused on the key processes
  • Use arrows to clearly show the direction of flow
  • Use decision symbols (rhombus) to indicate choices or decisions
  • Use annotation to provide additional context and information

By following these best practices, process improvement professionals can create flowcharts that are clear, concise, and effective in communicating process information.

Mastering flowchart symbols is a crucial skill for process improvement professionals. By understanding the basic and advanced symbols, professionals can create effective flowcharts that accurately represent complex processes and identify opportunities for improvement. With 80% of organizations reporting improved process efficiency through the use of flowcharts (Source: "2022 Process Improvement Survey" by AIIM), it's clear that flowcharts are a powerful tool in the world of process improvement.

What are your favorite flowchart symbols? Share your experiences with using flowcharts in your process improvement efforts in the comments below!