Unlocking the Power of Flowcharts: A Deep Dive into Symbols and Their Meanings

Flowcharts are a powerful tool used to visualize and communicate complex processes, systems, and algorithms. They have been used for decades in various fields, including business, engineering, and computer science. According to a survey by the International Society for Performance Improvement, 75% of organizations use flowcharts to improve their processes and increase productivity. However, creating effective flowcharts requires a deep understanding of flowchart symbols and their meanings.

In this article, we will take a deep dive into the world of flowchart symbols and explore their meanings. We will discuss the different types of flowchart symbols, their uses, and provide examples of how to use them effectively. By the end of this article, you will have a comprehensive understanding of flowchart symbols and be able to create flowcharts that can change the world.

The History of Flowcharts

Flowcharts have a long history that dates back to the early 20th century. The first flowcharts were developed by Frank Gilbreth, an American engineer and management consultant, in the 1920s. Gilbreth used flowcharts to document and analyze the workflow of manufacturing processes. Over the years, flowcharts have evolved and have been adapted for use in various fields. Today, flowcharts are an essential tool in many industries, including software development, business process management, and healthcare.

The Benefits of Flowcharts

Flowcharts offer several benefits, including:

• Improved Communication: Flowcharts provide a visual representation of complex processes, making it easier to communicate ideas and concepts to others.
• Increased Productivity: Flowcharts help to identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks in processes, allowing for improvements to be made.
• Enhanced Decision-Making: Flowcharts provide a clear and concise representation of decision-making processes, making it easier to evaluate options and make informed decisions.

Flowchart Symbols

Flowchart symbols are the building blocks of flowcharts. They are used to represent different components of a process, such as inputs, outputs, decisions, and actions. There are several types of flowchart symbols, each with its own unique meaning.

Terminal Symbols

Terminal symbols are used to represent the start and end of a process. There are two types of terminal symbols:

• Oval: Represents the start of a process.
• Rectangle: Represents the end of a process.

Example: A flowchart for a customer service process might start with an oval symbol representing the initial customer contact and end with a rectangle symbol representing the resolution of the customer's issue.

Process Symbols

Process symbols are used to represent the actions and activities that take place within a process. There are several types of process symbols, including:

• Rectangle: Represents a process or activity.
• Rounded Rectangle: Represents a subprocess or subactivity.
• Cylinder: Represents a database or data storage.

Example: A flowchart for a manufacturing process might include a rectangle symbol representing the production of a product, with a rounded rectangle symbol representing the quality control subprocess.

Decision Symbols

Decision symbols are used to represent the decision-making processes that take place within a process. There are two types of decision symbols:

• Diamond: Represents a decision or choice.
• Hexagon: Represents a conditional decision or loop.

Example: A flowchart for a billing process might include a diamond symbol representing the decision to send a bill to a customer, with a hexagon symbol representing the loop that occurs if the customer disputes the bill.

Flow Symbols

Flow symbols are used to represent the flow of a process from one step to another. There are several types of flow symbols, including:

• Arrow: Represents the flow of a process from one step to another.
• Line: Represents a connection between two processes or activities.

Example: A flowchart for a customer service process might include an arrow symbol representing the flow of the process from the initial customer contact to the resolution of the customer's issue.

Conclusion

Flowcharts are a powerful tool used to visualize and communicate complex processes, systems, and algorithms. By understanding the different types of flowchart symbols and their meanings, you can create effective flowcharts that can change the world. Whether you are a business process manager, software developer, or healthcare professional, flowcharts can help you to improve communication, increase productivity, and enhance decision-making.

We hope that this deep dive into flowchart symbols and their meanings has been informative and helpful. Do you have any experience with flowcharts? Have you used them to improve a process or solve a problem? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below!

Sources:

• International Society for Performance Improvement. (2019). Flowcharts and Process Improvement.
• Gilbreth, F. (1921). Process Charts.
• ISO/IEC 5807:1985. Information Processing – Documentation Symbols and Conventions for Data, Program and System Flowcharts, Program Network Charts, and System Resources Charts.