Flowchart Maker to Visualize Processes and Workflows | Creately

Flowchart Templates

What is a Flowchart?

A flowchart is a diagram that visually represents the progression of steps of a process or workflow. They are commonly used as decision-making, problem-solving, system designing, and educational tools.

There are multiple types of flowcharts including:

• Process flowchart – shows the steps of a process in sequential order.
• Workflow chart – visualizes a workflow or actions that need to be carried out to achieve a goal.
• Data flow chart – represents how data is processed within a system.
• Swimlane flowchart – illustrates process steps along with responsible owners or departments.

What are Flowcharts Used for?

Flowcharts are used across multiple industries;

• To clarify process steps or workflows and their respectful owners.
• To analyze existing processes to identify inefficiencies and necessary improvements.
• To collaborate on planning and designing new processes and to build a common understanding of them.
• To standardize processes by allowing team members to follow a single set of steps consistently.
• To train and guide new and existing employees on performing their tasks accurately.

How to Create a Flowchart Collaboratively

1. Identify the process or the workflow you and your team want to document or visualize. And then define the purpose and goals of the flowchart.

2. Gather the team members who will be involved in creating the flowchart. Create a Creately workspace for your flowchart. Add the team as collaborators with edit access to allow them to work together. You can easily track the changes they make with real-time cursor tracking and synced previews.

3. Identify the different steps involved in executing this process. If several people are responsible for carrying out the process, collaborate and get their input for an accurate visualization.

4. Using the standard flowchart symbols available in the Creately flowchart maker, convert the listed steps into a flowchart.

5. First, drag and drop the Start/End symbol onto the canvas. Using the Plus Create option, add the next symbol depending on whether it’s a process/step/operation or decision. Make sure to use the correct flowchart symbol to represent your data.

6. Connect the shapes with arrows highlighting the flow of the process or workflow. Creately’s Plus Create automatically recognizes the flow and adds the relevant connector as you draw the flowchart.

7. Customize the flowchart as necessary with Creately’s preset color themes before sharing it with stakeholders for feedback.

8. Review the flowchart frequently and update it as the process it represents, undergoes changes.

Flowchart Symbols

Terminal / Terminator

Represents the start or end of a process or system.

Process

Represent a process, action step, or operation.

Data

Shows the data inputs or outputs of a process.

Decision

Represents the decision point of a process.

Document

Indicates a document or report in a process flow.

Stored Data

Represents a data storage device or location, such as a database, file, or other form of data storage.

Direct Data

Indicate a step in the process where data is directly entered or obtained from an external source, such as a user, sensor, or other system.

Internal Storage

Represents an internal storage location, such as a register or buffer.

Manual Input

Represents a step in the process where data is manually entered by a user or operator.

Predefined Process

Represents a subroutine or a predefined process that is called upon during the process.

Flowchart Resources

FAQs About Flowcharts

How to use a flowchart for process documentation?

Flowcharts are commonly used to document processes as they effectively summarize the steps, flows, and decisions involved in a process in an easy-to-understand visual manner. Flowcharts can be used to visualize the current state of the process to identify existing bottlenecks and inefficiencies and the desired state of the process highlighting the improvements that should be implemented.

What are the best practices for creating and analyzing flowcharts?

• Involve people who really know and live the process such as front-line employees.
• When analyzing a process using a flowchart, first create a high-level overview to identify the major components of the process and then drill down.
• Include as many people involved in the implementation of the process as possible to get a complete understanding.
• Keep the flowchart as simple and understandable as possible to ensure all stakeholders can follow it.
• Analyze the flowchart from front to back or from the process owner’s point of view and from back to front or from the customer’s point of view.