Docsity
Docsity

Prepare for your exams
Prepare for your exams

Study with the several resources on Docsity


Earn points to download
Earn points to download

Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan


Guidelines and tips
Guidelines and tips

Effective Flowcharting: Guidelines for Creating Clear and Consistent Diagrams, Slides of Communication

Guidelines for creating effective flowcharts, including consistency in page orientation, breaking down complex processes, using standard symbols, numbering flowchart items, and creating 'before' and 'after' diagrams. Flowcharts are useful tools for troubleshooting and improving processes, but can be intimidating. This document offers tips for making the process less overwhelming and more effective.

What you will learn

  • Why is it important to use standard symbols in flowcharting?
  • What are some guidelines for creating effective flowcharts?
  • How can breaking down complex processes into smaller parts improve flowcharting?

Typology: Slides

2021/2022

Uploaded on 08/05/2022

nguyen_99
nguyen_99 🇻🇳

4.2

(80)

1K documents

1 / 4

Toggle sidebar

This page cannot be seen from the preview

Don't miss anything!

bg1
BASIC FLOWCHARTS
Flowcharts vary in complexity. Simple flowcharts can be more effective for
troubleshooting and, when combined with cognitive walk-throughs, offer
powerful aids in understanding, troubleshooting, and improving processes
that directly influence the customer and the staff.
Flowcharts, however, can be intimidating and overwhelming, especially for
those who do not like the quantitative sciences. Therefore, presentation is
very important. Use the following rules as guidelines for effective flowcharting,
whether it is done individually or as a group.
Be consistent with page orientation. If flowcharts are printed on copy
paper, it’s probably best to make the chart flow from the top down, rather
than left to right. If you have a big horizontal whiteboard in your meeting
room, it would be best to have the flowchart read from left to right.
If the flowchart is too complex, break it down to smaller, manageable
parts. A process that is difficult to flowchart indicates a problem in itself—
the problem of navigating a complex system. Having a clear, accurate
diagram of a process already forms part of the solution.
Use of standard, basic flowcharting symbols, as shown in FIGURE 1
below. Consistent symbols make it easier to communicate with and
comprehend diagrams.
Decision
Process End Point Off-Page
Connector
Start Decision
Process End Point Off-Page
Connector
Start
FIGURE 1: FLOWCHARTING SYMBOLS
Number flowchart items for easy reference. As seen in the flowcharts in
FIGURES 2a and 2b, numbering each node makes it easier to understand
and troubleshoot the process.
Create a “before” and “after” flowchart, to show how the process has
changed. This makes communication easier, and demonstrates visually
how a change project benefits the current system. Signal Behavioral
Health Network provided the examples in FIGURES 3a and 3b below.
pf3
pf4

Partial preview of the text

Download Effective Flowcharting: Guidelines for Creating Clear and Consistent Diagrams and more Slides Communication in PDF only on Docsity!

BASIC FLOWCHARTS

Flowcharts vary in complexity. Simple flowcharts can be more effective for troubleshooting and, when combined with cognitive walk-throughs, offer powerful aids in understanding, troubleshooting, and improving processes that directly influence the customer and the staff.

Flowcharts, however, can be intimidating and overwhelming, especially for those who do not like the quantitative sciences. Therefore, presentation is very important. Use the following rules as guidelines for effective flowcharting, whether it is done individually or as a group.

  • Be consistent with page orientation. If flowcharts are printed on copy paper, it’s probably best to make the chart flow from the top down, rather than left to right. If you have a big horizontal whiteboard in your meeting room, it would be best to have the flowchart read from left to right.
  • If the flowchart is too complex, break it down to smaller, manageable parts. A process that is difficult to flowchart indicates a problem in itself— the problem of navigating a complex system. Having a clear, accurate diagram of a process already forms part of the solution.
  • Use of standard, basic flowcharting symbols , as shown in FIGURE 1 below. Consistent symbols make it easier to communicate with and comprehend diagrams.

Process Decision End Point^

Off-Page Start (^) Process Decision End Point (^) Connector Off-Page Start Connector

FIGURE 1: FLOWCHARTING SYMBOLS

  • Number flowchart items for easy reference. As seen in the flowcharts in FIGURES 2a and 2b, numbering each node makes it easier to understand and troubleshoot the process.
  • Create a “before” and “after” flowchart , to show how the process has changed. This makes communication easier, and demonstrates visually how a change project benefits the current system. Signal Behavioral Health Network provided the examples in FIGURES 3a and 3b below.

FIGURE 2a: ACCESS FLOWCHART FOR DETOX PROGRAM AT ABC RECOVERY (NODES 1-17)

FIGURE 3a: “BEFORE” FLOWCHART, SIGNAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NETWORK

FIGURE 3b: “AFTER” FLOWCHART, SIGNAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NETWORK