A flowchart is a diagram that represents a process or system. It uses standard symbols to show the steps in a process and their order. Flowcharts help communicate processes between teams and identify areas for improvement. There are different types of flowcharts for different purposes, such as basic flowcharts for work processes, data flow diagrams for information processes, and program flowcharts for algorithms. Flowcharts should be created through group discussion to ensure all steps are captured.

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