Report & Resource Guide – Integrating Essential Skills into Training Materials

SKILLBUILDER – FLOWCHARTING

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 basic flowcharts
	Start / Stop A circle or rounded off rectangle usually means the start or end of a process. The “start” refers to an action which “kicks off” the process. The “stop” means the final product or outcome.
	Start / Stop A circle or rounded off rectangle usually means the start or end of a process. The “start” refers to an action which “kicks off” the process. The “stop” means the final product or outcome.
	Start / Stop A circle or rounded off rectangle usually means the start or end of a process. The “start” refers to an action which “kicks off” the process. The “stop” means the final product or outcome.
	Start / Stop A circle or rounded off rectangle usually means the start or end of a process. The “start” refers to an action which “kicks off” the process. The “stop” means the final product or outcome.

How can flowcharts be used in a training situation?

to reinforce or assess a trainee’s understanding by having the trainee flowchart the process or procedure
to teach a process or procedure to trainees by presenting the concepts via a flowchart (e.g. how to make a product, how to operate a machine, what to do if there is an emergency, the steps in making a sale to a customer, etc.)
to organize production and assign tasksto show the “big picture” – an entire process at a glance
to address the use of symbols (rectangles, arrows, etc.) to teach industry-specific terminology / abbreviations
to teach reading – flowcharts use few words
to explain a process to someone with low literacy – use pictures instead of words
to teach decision making processes