Flow

Chart

What is a Flowchart
Is a diagram that uses graphic symbols to
represent the nature and ow of the steps in a
process

When Should Use It?

At the beginning of your process improvement
eorts
Understanding of a process by explaining the
steps pictorially (illustrated)

When Should Use It?

Because the visually sequence steps, it can be
very helpful in training the employees
according to standardized procedures
IdenHfy process improvement; once you break
down the process, problem areas become
more visible

When Should Use It?

Easy to spot redundant steps and rework
loops
Helping the process workers to understand
who their customer are, and how they may
someHmes act as suppliers and someHmes as
customers in relaHons to other people

QuesHon!
What is a Flowchart?

QuesHon!
Benets of Flowchart?

What Symbols are Used?

Symbols have specic meanings and are
connected by arrows indicaHng the ow from
one step to another
Oval; starHng point
Box; acHvity in the process
Diamond; decision point
Circle; parHcular step is connected to another
page

What are the level of Flowchart

Detail?
Consider how it will be used and the amount
and kind of informaHon needed by the people
who will use it
Macro level; big picture
Mini; focus on only a part of macro-level
Micro; people trying to improve the way a job is
done (very detailed), documenHng every acHon
and decision

The Symbols

The Levels

How Do We Get Started?

Determine what you expect to get from the
Flowchart
IdenHfy who will use it and how
Dene the level of detail you need

Boundaries!
These are the starHng and ending points for
your Flowchart
E.g. for repair shop for pump; might start
when pump enters the shop and when it
passes nal tesHng
Boundaries determine the number of
acHviHes to be studied and the number of
people involved in the process, funcHonally
and cross-funcHonally

What are the keys to successful

owcharHng
It is vital that you start by depicHng the
process the way it really works
You need to chart the process as it is

The Success
Start with the BIG Picture
It is best to draw the macro level rst, then
increased levels of detail

Observe the current process (in actual

operaHon)
Record the process steps you observed
Arrange the sequence of steps
Draw the owchart

QuesHon!
The Key Success?

Flowchart Types
Three main types
Linear; is a diagram that displays the sequence of
work steps that make up a process (can help
idenHfy rework and redundant unnecessary steps)
Deployment Flowchart
Shows the actual process ow and idenHes the people
or groups involved at each step
Chart shows where the people or groups t into the
process sequence, and how they relate to one another
throughout the process

Flowchart Types
The last one:
Opportunity Flowchart
VariaHons of the basic linear type
Value added steps;
Cost added only;

Linear Example

Deployment Example

How to Construct a Linear

Dene the process to be owcharted
Assemble the right people (actually involved
in the process)
Establish process boundaries (starHng and
ending points)
List the steps, acHviHes, and decisions to be
charted

How to Construct a Linear

Put the steps in chronological sequence
(might form the last to the rst)
Assign owchart symbols such as boxes,
diamonds
Review and Htle the owchart

ConstrucHng a Linear Flowchart

How do we construct a Deployment

Flowchart?
Follow the basic steps for construcHng a
Linear Flowchart, but modify them as follows:
List the major steps of the process verHcally on
the le_ side of a sheet of paper
List the responsible process workers across the
top, each in a separate column
Place each step in the appropriate column under
the responsible process workers name
Connect the steps in the order in which they
relate to each other

NOTE:
EveryhorizontallineinaDeploymentFlowchar9
den9esacustomer-supplier rela9onship.

Here it is..

Example I

Example II

Class PracHce!!