Flowchart SkillBuilder
A flowchart shows a sequence of steps in a process. It sometimes indicates the amount of time each step should take. Flowcharts are an easy-to-read format for procedures that have many steps. They give us a “big picture” view. Usually the flowchart starts at the top of the page and works its way down the page. Text is short and to the point. Many abbreviations are used. A label or title explains the process being described.

How to read Flowcharts:

	Start / Stop A circle, oval or rounded off rectange usually means the start or end of a process. The “start” could mean gathering materials, equipment or information needed for a project. The “start” refers to an action which must be completed before the process gets underway or to an event which activates the process. The “stop” means the final product or outcome. Sometimes ovals are used to mean starts or stops in the middle of process. A circle with a number inside can mean that the flowchart is continued somewhere else on the page or on a different page.
	Step / Task A rectangle means a step or a task. Variations in rectangles can mean sub-steps or sub-processes. (parallelograms , squares )
	Decision A diamond means a decision point (an if/then point). A question is asked or a statement is made. A yes or true answer results in one specific path or set of actions, and a no or false answer leads to a different path or set of actions.
	Storage / Handling / Packaging Companies sometimes use a triangle to mean storage, handling, filing or packaging of materials or documents.
	Process Flow Arrows indicate the direction of the process. Only one arrow leads to the next step. Several arrows can go to the same activity box. The boxes in a flowchart are like nounds and the arrows are like the verbs directing the action.
	A broken or dashed line means a separation between categories or areas of responsibility. It can also mean an indirect path between two points.

Other common symbols:

Procedure

Document

Documents

Input