A flow chart, often written as flowchart, is a graphic representation of a process, algorithm, or plan. It uses connected symbols — principally boxes and arrows — to show the order in which actions occur and where decisions are made. A clear flow chart helps readers follow a sequence of steps from a defined start to an end and is widely used in programming, operations, quality management, and education. For a general illustration of the term see flowchart.
Common symbols and their roles
Although variations exist, a small set of symbols appears in most flow charts. Recognizing these makes charts easier to read across contexts:
- Terminator (oval): marks the start and end points of the flow.
- Process (rectangle): denotes an action, operation, or task to be performed.
- Decision (diamond): indicates a point where a question is asked and the flow branches according to answers.
- Input/Output (parallelogram): shows data entry, display, or file operations.
- Connector (small circle) and arrows: maintain continuity across complex diagrams and show flow direction.
Specialized diagrams may add swimlanes to show responsibilities by role or department, or they may use extended notations for data flow and system architecture. For algorithmic descriptions the flow chart often complements written steps or code examples; see a reference on algorithms at algorithm.
Origins and development
Flow charts emerged from early industrial engineering and systems analysis as practitioners sought visual ways to document work steps and decision points. Over time they became part of engineering drawing conventions and business process documentation. Standards and conventions have been developed so that a decision diamond or a process rectangle carries a common meaning regardless of who draws the chart, though specialized communities sometimes adopt more formal notations such as BPMN for enterprise modelling.
Practical uses of flow charts range from planning software logic to mapping manufacturing processes, describing customer service workflows, or outlining research protocols. A process map showing stages of production or delivery can be described as a flow chart; for example, planners frequently use flow charts to break down the planned process steps of a project and to show the planned stages of a project in sequence. Technical teams also use them to trace faults during troubleshooting and to document standard operating procedures.
When creating a flow chart, emphasize clarity and consistency. Start with a single entry and exit point, label arrows to avoid ambiguity, keep pathways simple, and group related steps into sub-processes when a chart becomes too large. Avoid crossing lines where possible and use connectors to link separated areas of a chart. Test your chart by walking through it step by step or by asking someone unfamiliar with the process to follow it; revisions often reveal missing decisions or unclear terminology. For more examples and learning resources see further reading.
Flow charts remain a basic, effective tool for communicating sequences and decisions. They bridge technical and nontechnical audiences and can be scaled from a short algorithm in an educational setting to an enterprise-wide process map. While other notations and diagram types exist, the simple combination of boxes, diamonds and arrows keeps flow charts a first-choice method for visualizing logical order and decision-making paths.