Flowchart

TL;DR

• Visual diagram that maps the steps and order of a process.
• Uses symbols (for example, rectangles for normal steps and diamonds for decision points) to represent actions and decisions.
• Commonly used in business, technical writing, and computer programming to clarify complex procedures.

Definition

A flowchart is a graphical or symbolic representation of a process. It shows the steps, or actions, involved in a process, and the order in which they occur.

Explanation

Flowcharts represent a process by depicting each step and the sequence connecting them. Different symbols denote different kinds of elements in the process (for example, a rectangle for a normal step and a diamond for a decision point). They are used to make complex processes easier to follow and understand.

Examples

Business process example

A flowchart might show the steps involved in the process of hiring a new employee. This flowchart might begin with the step of advertising the job opening, then move on to the step of reviewing applications, followed by the step of conducting interviews, and so on. Each step in the process would be represented by a different symbol, such as a rectangle for a normal step, or a diamond for a decision point.

Computer program example

A flowchart might show the steps involved in a program that calculates the average of a set of numbers. This flowchart might begin with the step of prompting the user to enter the numbers, then move on to the step of reading the numbers, followed by the step of calculating the average, and so on. Each step in the process would be represented by a different symbol, such as a rectangle for a normal step, or a diamond for a decision point.

Use cases

• Business and technical writing
• Business and finance
• Computer science and engineering

Related terms

• Decision point (often shown as a diamond)
• Process
• Symbol / Symbolic representation (for example, rectangles for normal steps)