flowchart symbol meanings

Flowcharts are diagrams that depict a process or system in a clear and concise way. They are widely used in business, engineering, and other fields to help visualize complex processes and identify areas for improvement. Flowcharts use a set of standardized symbols to represent different elements of the process, and understanding these symbols is essential to interpreting and creating effective flowcharts.

The Basic Flowchart Symbols

The most commonly used flowchart symbols are the basic symbols, which include:

  • The start/end symbol, which is represented by a rounded rectangle and indicates the beginning or end of the process.
  • The process symbol, which is represented by a rectangle and indicates a specific step or action in the process.
  • The decision symbol, which is represented by a diamond and indicates a decision point in the process where different paths can be taken.
  • The connector symbol, which is represented by a circle and is used to connect different parts of the flowchart.
  • The input/output symbol, which is represented by a parallelogram and indicates an input or output to the process.

These basic symbols can be combined in various ways to create more complex flowcharts that represent more complicated processes.

Additional Flowchart Symbols

In addition to the basic symbols, there are several additional symbols that can be used in flowcharts:

  • The on-page reference symbol, which is represented by a small rectangle and is used to indicate that a portion of the flowchart is continued on another page.
  • The off-page reference symbol, which is represented by a rectangle with a double-lined arrow and is used to indicate that a portion of the flowchart is continued on another page or in another document.
  • The manual input symbol, which is represented by a trapezoid and indicates that a process step requires manual input.
  • The manual operation symbol, which is represented by a trapezoid with a curved bottom and indicates that a process step requires a manual operation.
  • The document symbol, which is represented by a rectangle with a curved corner and indicates a document or report generated by the process.
  • The data symbol, which is represented by a cylinder and indicates a data storage location.
  • The delay symbol, which is represented by a rectangle with a curved bottom and indicates a delay in the process.

Interpreting Flowcharts

Interpreting flowcharts involves understanding the meaning of each symbol and how they are connected to each other. It is important to read the flowchart from left to right and top to bottom, following the arrows to each new symbol and understanding the meaning of each symbol as it relates to the process being depicted.

Flowcharts can be used to identify areas for improvement in a process by identifying bottlenecks, redundancies, and other inefficiencies. By understanding the flowchart symbols and how they relate to the process, it is possible to identify areas where changes can be made to improve efficiency and productivity.

Creating Effective Flowcharts

To create effective flowcharts, it is important to use the correct symbols and to organize the symbols in a logical and clear manner. The flowchart should be easy to read and understand, with each symbol clearly labeled and connected to the appropriate symbols.

It is also important to consider the audience when creating a flowchart. A flowchart for a technical audience may include more complex symbols and terminology, while a flowchart for a general audience may need to be simplified and use more familiar language.

Conclusion

Flowchart symbol meanings are essential to understanding and creating effective flowcharts. By understanding the different symbols and how they relate to the process being depicted, it is possible to identify areas for improvement and create clear and concise flowcharts that effectively communicate complex processes.