Flowchart: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 02:50, 11 December 2024

Flowchart

A flowchart is a type of diagram that represents a workflow or process. A flowchart can also be defined as a diagrammatic representation of an algorithm, a step-by-step approach to solving a task. The flowchart shows the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting the boxes with arrows. This diagrammatic representation illustrates a solution model to a given problem.

Flowcharts are used in analyzing, designing, documenting, or managing a process or program in various fields. They are widely used in multiple disciplines, including computer programming, business, and education.

History[edit]

The first structured method for documenting process flow, the "flow process chart," was introduced by Frank Gilbreth to members of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in 1921. The flowchart became a popular tool for describing computer algorithms and processes in the 20th century.

Symbols[edit]

Flowcharts use specific symbols to represent different types of actions or steps in a process. Some of the most common symbols include:

Oval: Used to represent the start and end of a process.
Rectangle: Represents a process step or action.
Diamond: Indicates a decision point, where the flow can branch based on a yes/no question or condition.
Arrow: Shows the direction of flow from one step to the next.

Types of Flowcharts[edit]

There are several types of flowcharts, each serving different purposes:

Process Flowchart: Illustrates the sequence of steps in a process or system.
Data Flowchart: Shows the flow of data within a system.
System Flowchart: Depicts the physical or logical flow of a system.
Program Flowchart: Used in computer programming to describe the flow of a program.

Applications[edit]

Flowcharts are used in various fields for different purposes:

Business: To document processes, improve efficiency, and identify bottlenecks.
Education: To teach students about processes and algorithms.
Engineering: To design and analyze systems and processes.
Software Development: To plan and visualize algorithms and program logic.

Creating a Flowchart[edit]

To create a flowchart, follow these steps:

1. Define the process: Clearly understand the process you want to document. 2. Identify the steps: List all the steps involved in the process. 3. Choose the symbols: Select appropriate symbols for each step. 4. Draw the flowchart: Arrange the symbols in the correct order and connect them with arrows. 5. Review and refine: Check the flowchart for accuracy and completeness.

Advantages[edit]

Flowcharts offer several advantages:

Clarity: They provide a clear and visual representation of a process.
Communication: Facilitate communication between different stakeholders.
Problem-solving: Help identify problems and inefficiencies in a process.
Documentation: Serve as a useful tool for documenting processes and systems.

Limitations[edit]

Despite their advantages, flowcharts have some limitations:

Complexity: Can become complex and difficult to read for large processes.
Time-consuming: Creating detailed flowcharts can be time-consuming.
Static: Do not easily accommodate changes in the process.

Also see[edit]

Template:Flowchart

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Flowchart''' is a type of diagram that represents an algorithm, workflow or process, showing the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting them with arrows. This diagrammatic representation illustrates a solution model to a given problem. Flowcharts are used in analyzing, designing, documenting or managing a process or program in various fields.
+Flowchart
-== Overview ==
+[[File:LampFlowchart.svg|thumb|A simple flowchart depicting the process of turning on a lamp.]]
-Flowcharts are used in designing and documenting simple processes or programs. Like other types of diagrams, they help visualize what is going on and thereby help understand a process, and perhaps also find less-obvious features within the process, like flaws and bottlenecks. There are different types of flowcharts: each type has its own set of boxes and notations. The two most common types of boxes in a flowchart are:
+A '''flowchart''' is a type of diagram that represents a workflow or process. A flowchart can also be defined as a diagrammatic representation of an algorithm, a step-by-step approach to solving a task. The flowchart shows the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting the boxes with arrows. This diagrammatic representation illustrates a solution model to a given problem.
-* a processing step, usually called activity, and denoted as a rectangular box
+Flowcharts are used in analyzing, designing, documenting, or managing a process or program in various fields. They are widely used in multiple disciplines, including computer programming, business, and education.
-* a decision, usually denoted as a diamond.
-A flowchart is described as "cross-functional" when the chart is divided into different vertical or horizontal parts, to describe the control of different organizational units. A symbol appearing in a particular part is within the control of that organizational unit. A cross-functional flowchart allows the author to correctly locate the responsibility for performing an action or making a decision, and to show the responsibility of each organizational unit for different parts of a single process.
+== History ==
+The first structured method for documenting process flow, the "flow process chart," was introduced by [[Frank Gilbreth]] to members of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in 1921. The flowchart became a popular tool for describing computer algorithms and processes in the 20th century.
+== Symbols ==
+Flowcharts use specific symbols to represent different types of actions or steps in a process. Some of the most common symbols include:
+* '''Oval''': Used to represent the start and end of a process.
+* '''Rectangle''': Represents a process step or action.
+* '''Diamond''': Indicates a decision point, where the flow can branch based on a yes/no question or condition.
+* '''Arrow''': Shows the direction of flow from one step to the next.
+[[File:For loop example.svg|thumb|A flowchart illustrating a simple for loop.]]
+== Types of Flowcharts ==
+There are several types of flowcharts, each serving different purposes:
+* '''Process Flowchart''': Illustrates the sequence of steps in a process or system.
+* '''Data Flowchart''': Shows the flow of data within a system.
+* '''System Flowchart''': Depicts the physical or logical flow of a system.
+* '''Program Flowchart''': Used in computer programming to describe the flow of a program.
+== Applications ==
+Flowcharts are used in various fields for different purposes:
-Flowcharts depict certain aspects of processes and are usually complemented by other types of diagram. For instance, Kaoru Ishikawa, defined the flowchart as one of the seven basic tools of quality control, next to the histogram, Pareto chart, check sheet, control chart, cause-and-effect diagram, and the scatter diagram. Similarly, in UML, a standard concept-modeling notation used in software development, the activity diagram, which is a type of flowchart, is just one of many different diagram types.
+* '''Business''': To document processes, improve efficiency, and identify bottlenecks.
+* '''Education''': To teach students about processes and algorithms.
+* '''Engineering''': To design and analyze systems and processes.
+* '''Software Development''': To plan and visualize algorithms and program logic.
-== History ==
+== Creating a Flowchart ==
+To create a flowchart, follow these steps:
+. '''Define the process''': Clearly understand the process you want to document.
+. '''Identify the steps''': List all the steps involved in the process.
+. '''Choose the symbols''': Select appropriate symbols for each step.
+. '''Draw the flowchart''': Arrange the symbols in the correct order and connect them with arrows.
+. '''Review and refine''': Check the flowchart for accuracy and completeness.
+[[File:IBM flowchart template.jpg|thumb|An IBM flowchart template from the 1960s.]]
+== Advantages ==
+Flowcharts offer several advantages:
+* '''Clarity''': They provide a clear and visual representation of a process.
+* '''Communication''': Facilitate communication between different stakeholders.
+* '''Problem-solving''': Help identify problems and inefficiencies in a process.
+* '''Documentation''': Serve as a useful tool for documenting processes and systems.
+== Limitations ==
+Despite their advantages, flowcharts have some limitations:
+* '''Complexity''': Can become complex and difficult to read for large processes.
+* '''Time-consuming''': Creating detailed flowcharts can be time-consuming.
+* '''Static''': Do not easily accommodate changes in the process.
+== Also see ==
+* [[Algorithm]]
+* [[Data flow diagram]]
+* [[Unified Modeling Language]]
+* [[Business process modeling]]
-The first structured method for documenting process flow, the "flow process chart", was introduced by Frank and Lillian Gilbreth in the presentation "Process Charts: First Steps in Finding the One Best Way to do Work", to members of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in 1921. The Gilbreths' tools quickly found their way into industrial engineering curricula. In the early 1930s, an industrial engineer, Allan H. Mogensen began training business people in the use of some of the tools of industrial engineering at his Work Simplification Conferences in Lake Placid, New York.
+{{Flowchart}}
-[[Category:Flowchart]]
+[[Category:Diagrams]]
-[[Category:Diagram]]
+[[Category:Problem solving]]
-[[Category:Quality control tools]]
+[[Category:Business process modeling]]
-[[Category:Technical drawing]]
-[[Category:Programming paradigms]]
-{{stub}}