Basic of Flowchart: Meaning and Symbols

Flowcharts are the best for visually representation the business processes and the flow of a custom-order process through various departments within an organization. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software extended with Flowcharts solution offers the full set of predesigned basic flowchart symbols which are gathered at two libraries: Flowchart and Flowcharts Rapid Draw. Among them are: process, terminator, decision, data, document, display, manual loop, and many other specific symbols. The meaning for each symbol offered by ConceptDraw gives the presentation about their proposed use in professional Flowcharts for business and technical processes, software algorithms, well-developed structures of web sites, Workflow diagrams, Process flow diagram and correlation in developing on-line instructional projects or business process system. Use of ready flow chart symbols in diagrams is incredibly useful — you need simply drag desired from the libraries to your document and arrange them in required order. There are a few serious alternatives to Visio for Mac, one of them is ConceptDraw DIAGRAM. It is one of the main contender with the most similar features and capabilities.

How to Build a Flowchart

Flow Chart Design — How to Design a Good Flowchart

Use ConceptDraw DIAGRAM business diagramming and business graphics software for general diagramming purposes, it inludes tousands colored professional flowchart symbols, examples and samples which saves time when you prepare documents, professional presentations or make an explanation of process flow diagram.

Business Process Flowchart Symbols

Business process modeling is known in the corporate world as an excellent tool which can speak. Business process flowcharts, diagrams and maps are used to define the business processes in terms of inputs and outputs, to visually represent and effectively explain complex business processes of an enterprise, and also showcase decisions on a single piece of paper. The process of business process mapping supposes the use of special business process flowchart symbols predefined by Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) and taking their roots from the data processing diagrams and programming flow charts. In other words the BPMN standard notation is a common language used for business process design and implementation, that guarantees a clarity of designed Business Process Flowcharts for all business analysts, technical developers and business managers. The ability to create professionally-looking Business Process flowcharts, maps and diagrams, is provided by powerful ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software and the Business Process Mapping solution included to ConceptDraw Solution Park.

Technical Flow Chart

Flow chart is a diagrammatic representation of an algorithm and essential part of planning the system. Flow charts are widely used in technical analysis and programming for easy writing programs and explaining them to others. So, one of the most popular type of flow charts is Technical Flow Chart. Technical Flow Chart can be drawn by pencil on the paper, but it will be easier to use for designing a special software. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software extended with Flowcharts Solution from the "Diagrams" Area of ConceptDraw Solution Park will be useful for this goal.

Flowchart

The Flowcharts are widespread in various fields and include the multitude of types. They are dedicated to representation the algorithms, processes, workflows of any complexity in a clear and intuitive format. The Flowcharts are commonly used in software development as a visual tool for illustration algorithms and logic of computer programs, in business for illustration business scenarios, in education, and so on. For drawing the Flowchart are used the special object blocks, among them rectangle or box used to represent an activity or step, rounded box or oval to depict Start / End, diamond to represent the decision point (involves the branching yes/no), circle used to represent the point of connection, parallelogram to represent the Input / Output, and some others. With ConceptDraw DIAGRAM including Flowcharts solution it is easy to create professional-looking Flowchart diagrams of any complexity and any degree of detailing. Succeed in drawing the Flowcharts using quick-start templates, predesigned samples and extensive libraries of ready-made flowchart symbols, blocks and icons.

IDEF0 standard with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM

The activity of any organization is more or less branchy network of processes. The description of these processes is a hard technical task which requires definite methodology and standards. According to the IDEF0 standard any process can be described in the form of a block (Activity Box) which has inputs and outputs. The process consists in transformation of inputs into outputs under the influence of the management and in the presence of necessary resources. Outputs of the given process later on can be either inputs for the next process or resources, or management means.

Flowchart Programming Project. Flowchart Examples

Create you own flow charts of process-driven software applications using the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Cross-Functional Flowcharts solution from the Business Processes area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. The programming project flow chart example shows the logical process of execution.

Types of Flowcharts

A Flowchart is a graphical representation of process, algorithm, workflow or step-by-step solution of the problem. It shows the steps as boxes of various kinds and connects them by arrows in a defined order depicting a flow. There are twelve main Flowchart types: Basic Flowchart, Business Process Modeling Diagram (BPMN), Cross Functional Flowchart, Data Flow Diagram (DFD), IDEF (Integrated DEFinition) Flowchart, Event-driven Process Chain (EPC) Diagram, Influence Diagram (ID), Swimlane Flowchart, Process Flow Diagram (PFD), Specification and Description Language (SDL) Diagram, Value Stream Mapping, Workflow Diagram. Using the Flowcharts solution from the Diagrams area of ConceptDraw Solution Park you can easy and quickly design a Flowchart of any of these types. This solution offers a lot of special predesigned vector symbols for each of these widely used notations. They will make the drawing process of Flowcharts much easier than ever. Pay also attention for the included collection of ready Flowchart examples, samples and quick-start templates. This is business process improvement tools. If you are looking for MS Visio for your Mac, then you are out of luck, because it hasn't been released yet. However, you can use Visio alternatives that can successfully replace its functions. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM is an alternative to MS Visio for Mac that provides powerful features and intuitive user interface for the same.

How to Simplify Flow Charting

Process Flow Chart Symbol

Process Flow Charts are very popular and widely used in chemical and process engineering for representation a general flow of plant processes and equipment. If you need often draw them, the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software extended with tools of Flowcharts Solution will be useful for you. The mostly used set of process flow chart symbols includes the following: Rectangle (box) process flow chart symbol, Rounded rectangle, Circle, Diamond.

Design elements - IDEF0

The vector stencils library "IDEF0" contains 26 IDEF0 diagram symbols.
Use it for business process modeling with IDEF0 diagrams.
"The IDEF0 model ... is based on a simple syntax. Each activity is described by a verb-based label placed in a box. Inputs are shown as arrows entering the left side of the activity box while output are shown as exiting arrows on the right side of the box. Controls are displayed as arrows entering the top of the box and mechanisms are displayed as arrows entering from the bottom of the box. Inputs, Controls, Outputs, and Mechanisms are all referred to as concepts.
- Arrow: A directed line, composed of one or more arrow segments, that models an open channel or conduit conveying data or objects from source (no arrowhead) to use (with arrowhead). There are 4 arrow classes: Input Arrow, Output Arrow, Control Arrow, and Mechanism Arrow (includes Call Arrow). See Arrow Segment, Boundary Arrow, Internal Arrow.
- Box: A rectangle, containing a name and number, used to represent a function.
- Context: The immediate environment in which a function (or set of functions on a diagram) operates.
- Decomposition: The partitioning of a modeled function into its component functions.
- Fork: The junction at which an IDEF0 arrow segment (going from source to use) divides into two or more arrow segments. May denote unbundling of meaning.
- Function: An activity, process, or transformation (modeled by an IDEF0 box) identified by a verb or verb phrase that describes what must be accomplished.
- Join: The junction at which an IDEF0 arrow segment (going from source to use) merges with one or more other arrow segments to form a single arrow segment. May denote bundling of arrow segment meanings.
- Node: A box from which child boxes originate; a parent box. See Node Index, Node Tree, Node Number, Node Reference, Diagram Node Number." [IDEF0. Wikipedia]
The shapes example "Design elements - IDEF0" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the solution "IDEF Business Process Diagrams" from the area "Business Processes" of ConceptDraw Solution Park.

IDEF0 diagram symbols

Used Solutions

Business Processes >

IDEF Business Process Diagrams

Selecting & Creating Flowcharts

ConceptDraw Flowcharts visualize a process or algorithm of program as step/operation blocks of various shapes connected with arrowed lines showed the process flow direction. They are used to visualize business or technical processes and software algorithms.

Data Flow Diagram Symbols. DFD Library

Data Flow Diagrams graphically represent the information transfers and process steps of a system. They visually depict how data are processed by a system in terms of inputs and outputs, how occurs the input in a system, how the data flow through an information system and where they are stored, and how occurs output from the system. DFDs give the overview of the system and models the processes aspects, they are maintained with other methods of structured systems analysis. The main goal of DFDs is achievement of understanding between developers and users. For their construction are used two notations - Gane-Sarson and Yourdon, each of them uses its own set of symbols. Data Flow Diagrams solution from Software Development area extends the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software with templates, samples, and predesigned libraries of data flow diagram symbols for both notations, allowing you easy design the process-oriented and data-oriented models, draw the Data Flow Diagrams, Data Flowcharts, Data Process Diagrams, Information Flow Diagrams, Structured Analysis Diagrams, etc.

Cross Functional Flowchart Shapes Stencil

ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming software provides vector shapes and connector tools for quick and easy drawing diagrams for business, technology, science and education. ConceptDraw Solution Park include professional set of libraries for Cross Functional Flowchart Shapes Stencil

Flowchart Software

The Flowcharts are popular and widely used for designing, documenting, managing and analyzing the complex processes and programs in various fields, such as science, business, engineering, architecture, manufacturing, administration, and many others. To design professional looking Flowchart Diagrams we recommend to use the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software extended with set of Flowchart maker solutions from the Diagrams, Finance and Accounting, Marketing, and Business Processes areas of ConceptDraw Solution Park. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM flowchart software is rich for the libraries of ready-to-use predesigned vector flowchart objects, templates, samples and examples, which make it the best choice for designing the Flowcharts of any type and style. Besides, the ConceptDraw documents with Flowchart Diagrams are vector graphic documents, available for reviewing, modifying and converting to different popular formats: image, HTML, PDF file, MS PowerPoint Presentation, Adobe Flash or MS Visio XML.

Jackson Structured Programming (JSP) Diagrams

The Jackson Structured Programming (JSP) Diagram solution extends the functionality and drawing abilities of the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software with set of illustrative JSP diagrams samples and large variety of predesigned vector objects of actions, processes, procedures, selection, iteration, as well as arrows and connectors to join the objects during Jackson structured development and designing Jackson structured programming diagrams, JSP diagram, Jackson structure diagram (JSD), Program structure diagram. The powerful abilities of this solution make the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM ideal assistant for programmers, software developers, structural programmers, computer engineers, applications constructors, designers, specialists in structured programming and Jackson systems design, and other technical, computer and software specialists.

Database Flowchart Symbols

Data base diagrams describes inter-related data and tables. It describes roles and relationships, internal and external dependencies, data exchange conventions and structures of knowledge domain. ConceptDraw Software provides number of data-base chart libraries including major 49 vector symbols. Use these DFD flowchart symbol libraries to design data-base structure and models, use it to design data base process-oriented models, or simple data-oriented models. The are special drawing tools for making data flowcharts, data process diagrams, structured analysis diagrams, and information flow diagrams.

Business Process Workflow Diagrams & Software

Business Process Workflow Diagram is a professional visual tool that is widely applied for business development, business analysis, business process optimization and documenting business processes. Business Process Workflow Diagram lets depict in details the steps of business processes and flow of tasks between them, the execution of business processes, transfer of data and documents. The workflows on the Business Process Workflow Diagram are represented using the set of common symbols which let easy illustrate business processes and process flows, depict the start, all major steps and end of the process, what data are used by the process, how the data flow through the business areas within scope of our project, how the tasks are executed and by who, and how workers interact with each other.

How to Draw Business Process Diagrams

Examples of Flowchart

This sample shows the Flowchart of the ACC general account creation. This Flowchart describes the Start point, the process of the handling the user requests and the End point – creating of the account. The shapes represent the subprocesses and the arrows between the shapes shows the sequence of the actions. This sample was created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software using the Flowcharts solution from the "Diagrams" area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.

Create Examples of Flowchart

DFD Flowchart Symbols

A Data Flow Diagram (DFD) is a graphical technique which allows effectively model and analyze the information processes and systems. The ability to fast and easy create the DFDs is made possible with Data Flow Diagrams solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. For designing the Data Flow Diagrams are used simple DFD flowchart symbols which are connected each other by arrows depicting the data flow from one step to another.

How to Draw a Flowchart

A good Flowchart is incredibly helpful for representing and understanding the system and systematic flow of information in the system. That's why its creation requires attention, accuracy, caution and expertise. There are many standardized symbols which can be used in Flowcharts to represent different kinds of steps. The basic flowchart's element is a simple action, which is represented as a box containing description of the action. The flow is shown with arrows between sequential action boxes. The decision is shown as a diamond that contains a simple question to which the answer is 'yes' or 'no' Are you confused on how to draw a Flowchart? ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software will help you in flowchart drawing due to the included templates, samples and vector objects libraries which are offered in great quantity by Flowcharts solution from Diagrams area. Besides you need clearly and accurately define the process boundaries with starting and ending points, and each step in the process, identify time lags and non-value-adding steps.

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