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

HR flowchart - Vector stencils library

The vector stencils library "HR flowchart" contains 62 flowchart symbols.
Use it to draw your HR flowcharts, workflow diagrams and process charts with the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software.
The flow chart symbols library "HR flowchart" is included in the HR Flowcharts solution from the Management area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.

Annotation

Card

Check / audit (diamond)

Check / audit (square)

Collate

Comment / note symbol (brace)

Communication link

Compare (diamond)

Compare (square)

Completed form

Concurrency symbol (fork / join)

Conditional selector

Control transfer

Data input / output

Database

Decision

Decision indicator - No

Decision indicator - Yes

Delay

Direct access storage

Disk storage

Display

Divided process (table view)

Document

Entity (rounded)

Event

Extract

Flow line

Internal storage

Junction symbol

Lined document

Lined / shaded process

Loop limit

Manual file

Manual input

Manual operation

Merge

Multi document

Multi process

Off-page reference - arrow

Off-page reference - incoming

Off-page reference - outgoing

On-page reference/ Inspection point

Page

Paper tape

Predefined process

Prepare conditional

Process step

Reference point

Sequential access storage

Sort

Start (circle)

Start (ellipse)

Stickman pictogram

Stored data

Summary

Tagged document

Tagged process

Terminal point

Title block

Torso pictogram

Used Solutions

Management >

HR Flowcharts

Sales flowchart - Vector stencils library

The vector stencils library "Sales flowchart" contains 62 sales process flow chart symbols.
Use these flow chart icon set to draw your sales flowcharts, workflow diagrams and process charts with the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software.
The sales process flowchart symbols library "Sales flowchart" is included in the Sales Flowcharts solution from the Marketing area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.

Annotation

Card

Check / audit (diamond)

Check / audit (square)

Collate

Comment / note symbol (brace)

Communication link

Compare (diamond)

Compare (square)

Completed form

Concurrency symbol (fork / join)

Conditional selector

Control transfer

Database

Data input / output

Decision

Decision indicator - No

Decision indicator - Yes

Delay

Direct access storage

Disk storage

Display

Divided process (table view)

Document

Entity (rounded)

Event

Extract

Flow line

Internal storage

Junction symbol

Lined document

Lined / shaded process

Loop limit

Manual file

Manual input

Manual operation

Merge

Multi document

Multi process

Off-page reference - arrow

Off-page reference - incoming

Off-page reference - outgoing

On-page reference/ Inspection point

Page

Paper tape

Predefined process

Prepare conditional

Process step

Reference point

Sequential access storage

Sort

Start (circle)

Start (ellipse)

Stickman pictogram

Stored data

Summary

Tagged document

Tagged process

Terminal point

Title block

Torso pictogram

Used Solutions

Marketing >

Sales Flowcharts

Process Flowchart

The main reason of using Process Flowchart or PFD is to show relations between major parts of the system. Process Flowcharts are used in process engineering and chemical industry where there is a requirement of depicting relationships between major components only and not include minor parts. Process Flowcharts for single unit or multiple units differ in their structure and implementation. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM is Professional business process mapping software for making Process flowcharts, Process flow diagram, Workflow diagram, flowcharts and technical illustrations for business documents and also comprehensive visio for mac application. Easier define and document basic work and data flows, financial, production and quality management processes to increase efficiency of your business with ConcepDraw DIAGRAM. Business process mapping software with Flowchart Maker ConceptDraw DIAGRAM includes extensive drawing tools, rich examples and templates, process flowchart symbols and shape libraries, smart connectors that allow you create the flowcharts of complex processes, process flow diagrams, procedures and information exchange. Process Flowchart Solution is project management workflow tools which is part ConceptDraw Project marketing project management software. Drawing charts, diagrams, and network layouts has long been the monopoly of Microsoft Visio, making Mac users to struggle when needing such visio alternative like visio for mac, it requires only to view features, make a minor edit to, or print a diagram or chart. Thankfully to MS Visio alternative like ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software, this is cross-platform charting and business process management tool, now visio alternative for making sort of visio diagram is not a problem anymore however many people still name it business process visio tools.

How To Create a Process Flow Chart (business process modelling techniques)

Quick Project Start

The rapid project startup and creation of initial project plan is possible and easy using effective and flexible mind mapping technique, which lets to gather requirements from your team and then plan activities in a visual mind mapping format. Using this technique you can establish time lines, delineate tasks, assign resources, and organize the overall project structure in a form of Mind Map. The ConceptDraw MINDMAP software, PM Easy solution and other offered PM solutions help in project management and support many project methodologies, including Agile and Scrum. ConceptDraw Toolbox solutions help to deal easy with common project situations, they are helpful for planning projects, tracking the milestones, events and resource usage, and for many other functions typical for project management. ConceptDraw MINDMAP software helps project managers effectively create the plan for high level tasks and milestones, set the tasks relations and dependencies, represent the project plan as a Mind Map, successfully start and realize the project of any size, and track the tasks using the ConceptDraw Project.

Flow Chart Symbols

The Flowcharts are incredibly useful and popular tool used in science, business, software development, analytics, engineering, marketing, manufacturing, administration, architecture, government, politics, and many other fields thanks to a variety of existing types of flowcharts. A Flowchart is a visual graphical representation of the process, algorithm, or the set of steps taken for problem's solution. Widely used for designing, visualizing and documenting simple and complex processes and programs, they effectively help to understand the process and to find easier the flaws if they are. Each flowchart type supposes the use of its own set of notations for drawing corresponding diagram, which includes the symbols of process, decision, data, document, data base, termination, initiation processes, processing loops, conditions, etc. It is easily design a Flowchart using the special professional flowchart maker - ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagram software with numerous predesigned flow chart symbols grouped in libraries of Flowcharts solution from ConceptDraw Solution Park.

Flowcharts

We have a lot of samples of flowchart diagrams for your needs.

Flowchart Design

Flowchart Symbols, Shapes, Stencils and Icons

A flowchart is a type of diagram which represents an algorithm, process or workflow, displays the steps as boxes of various kinds and depicts their order by connecting them with arrows. Any business graphic document will be more colorful and understandable if will use professional-looking and visual diagrams and flowcharts. Flowchart design gives versatile presenting and explaining of the process. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM flowchart software enhanced with Flowcharts solution helps effectively make Flowchart Design. Use of predesigned flowchart symbols and bright color palette offers a fresh view and favorably distinguishes the flowcharts designed in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM from the black and white flowcharts on a paper. Preferably to use no more than three or four colors and apply identical for the same shape types. The best flowchart design can be achieved by starting with Flowchart template, or any of suitable ready examples or samples offered in ConceptDraw STORE, open one of them and enter the proper text into each Flowchart shape. Each symbol of the flowchart has a definition that can't be changed. This means that all flowcharts shapes can be grouped in according to their meaning. Users with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM flowchart software can style groups of symbols with close definitions by color sets chosen from complementary palette. Almost all workflows can be depicted as a flowchart. Colored diagrams are more light for perception of the certain information, this is part of flowchart design. Bright colors need to be used in the key points of Decision symbols, to focus attention on their importance for whole process flow.

Business Process Modeling with ConceptDraw

HelpDesk

Software for Flowchart Diagrams

There are many types of flowcharts among them are workflow diagram, data flow diagram, business flow diagram, and other very complex flowcharts. Thus to draw flowchart it is better to use a computer program – a software for flowchart diagrams creation. The best flowchart software is ConceptDraw DIAGRAM. With the help of visual solutions, you can quickly and effortlessly portray even the most complex business process flow. The Flowcharts solution delivers a special set of vector stencils that contains all standard symbols of flowchart notation, and a large number of special symbols intended for business-oriented flowcharts.

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.

Horizontal Flowchart

This sample was created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software using the Flowcharts solution from the Diagrams area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. A Flowchart is a graphically representation of the process, algorithm or the step-by-step solution of the problem. The Flowcharts have one or more starting and ending points. The geometric figures on the Flowcharts represent the steps of the process and are connected with arrows that show the sequence of the actions.

The Circular Flow Diagram

ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software extended with Target and Circular Diagrams solution from the Marketing area of ConceptDraw Solution Park is perfect for the Circular Flow Diagram creating.

Cross Functional Diagram

You want design the Cross Functional Diagram and need powerful software? Then ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software extended with Cross-Functional Flowcharts Solution is exactly what you need.

Purchasing flowchart

This accounting flowchart example was created on the base of the figure from the website of the Office of the State Comptroller. [osc.ct.gov/ manuals/ acctdirect/ question03.htm]
"Purchasing is the formal process of buying goods and services. The purchasing process can vary from one organization to another, but there are some common key elements.
The process usually starts with a demand or requirements – this could be for a physical part (inventory) or a service. A requisition is generated, which details the requirements (in some cases providing a requirements speciation) which actions the procurement department. A request for proposal (RFP) or request for quotation (RFQ) is then raised. Suppliers send their quotations in response to the RFQ, and a review is undertaken where the best offer (typically based on price, availability and quality) is given the purchase order." [Purchasing process. Wikipedia]
The accounting flowchart example "Purchasing flowchart" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO software extended with the Accounting Flowcharts solution from the Finance and Accounting area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.

Accounting flowchart

Used Solutions

What is a Diagram >

Flowcharts

Finance and Accounting >

Accounting Flowcharts

Basic Diagramming Flowchart Software

Basic Diagramming <br>Flowchart Software *

ConceptDraw DIAGRAM is a powerful intelligent vector graphics tool for drawing flowcharts.

Flow chart Example
Warehouse Flowchart

Warehouse Flowcharts are various diagrams that describe the warehousing and inventory management processes on the warehouses. Typical purposes of Warehouse Flowcharts are evaluating warehouse performance, measuring efficiency of customer service and organizational performance. This type of Workflow diagrams can be used for identifying any disconnection between business activities and business objectives. They are effectively used by warehouse-related people and organizations, manufacturers, wholesalers, exporters, importers, transporters, and others. Standard Warehousing process flow diagram and standard Workflow diagram are used for process identification for further evaluating effectiveness and profitability of overall business process. Use the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM ector graphic software extended with Flowcharts solution to design your own professional-looking Workflow diagrams and Flowcharts of any types, including the Warehouse flowchart, Process flow diagrams which depict in details all steps of Warehouse packages flow. Microsoft Visio, designed for Windows users, can’t be opened directly on Mac. But fortunately, there are several Visio alternatives for Mac which will help Mac users to work Visio files. With ConceptDraw DIAGRAM , you may open, edit and save files in Visio format.

ConceptDraw Arrows10 Technology

Flow Chart Creator

ConceptDraw DIAGRAM is a flowchart design software. There are large collections of professional flowchart symbols for process flow diagrams, standard flowchart symbols and colored basic flowchart symbols. Built-in examples and video lessons allow users to get started immediately and do drawing of virtually any type of flowchart or process flow diagrams

Cross-Functional Flowchart

Use of Cross-Functional Flowchart is a clear way of showing each team member’s responsibilities and how processes get shared or transferred between different responsible people, teams and departments. Use the best flowchart maker ConceptDraw DIAGRAM with a range of standardized cross-functional flowchart symbols to create the Cross-Functional Flowcharts simply and to visualize the relationship between a business process and the functional units responsible for that process. To draw the most quickly Cross-Functional Flowcharts, Cross Functional Process Maps, or Cross Functional Process Flow Diagrams, start with a Cross-functional flowchart samples and templates from ConceptDraw Solution Park. The ConceptDraw Arrows10 and RapidDraw technologies will be also useful for you in drawing. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM supports designing both types - horizontal and vertical Cross-functional flowcharts. A vertical layout makes the accents mainly on the functional units while a horizontal layout - on the process. If you need a Visio alternative in Mac OS X, try ConceptDraw DIAGRAM. Its interface is very intuitive and it’s actually much easier to use than Visio, yet somehow it’s just as powerful if not more so. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM performs professional quality work and seamless Visio interaction.

How to Draw a Cross Functional Flowchart using visio alternative ConceptDraw DIAGRAM as visio for mac

Basic Workflow Examples

ConceptDraw DIAGRAM with the Workflow Diagrams solution delivers a complete set of samples and templates. This set contains basic workflow examples you may use to start drawing your own workflow or to get closer with workflow idea.

Flow Chart Diagram Examples

Draw your own business process flowcharts using ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and business graphics software.

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