How to Create a Process Flowchart

Last Updated: December 1, 2021

A flowchart is a powerful visual tool used for planning and executing a specific process. The chart documents uses simple shapes, connecting lines, and directional arrows to plot out a logical sequence of events from beginning to end. You can create a simple flowchart from scratch (by hand) or use a software template. In this easy tutorial, we'll show you how to put together a basic flowchart for your project.

Screenshots were created using SmartDraw.

Steps

1
Get input on the process first. Unless you are documenting something specific to you, get a team together to make sure the process is correct. You would be amazed at what you don't know that you thought you did.
2
Make sure that you know the appropriate shapes for each step of the process. Your software should tell you, but you should know the proper uses for each shape. Some of them are as follows:
- Start/end -
  - Depending on the software, this could be a circle or a very rounded square. Quite often, this step is skipped.
- Process - This is an active step or question. What needs to be done.
- Decision to be made - Yes/No are common decisions to be made from these particular shapes.
  - The two arrows would normally indicate yes or no.
- Yes or No - The arrows are used to show the directional path of the process.
- Document - If a document is required, you want to use this symbol.
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3
Start documenting the basic process, either with software like Visio or SmartDraw, or by hand.
4
Keep the original team that you discussed the process with, involved. It is too easy to miss or forget something.
5
Once you think that the processes have been fairly well documented, bring in someone that isn't used to that particular process. Have them follow the flowchart to see if they can use it for the intended problem.
6
Make any further changes that need to be made.
7
Use connectors if you need to carry the flow from one page to another..