Flowcharts

Terminology

Algorithm

A repeatable, step-by-step definition of a process, system or task.

Flowchart

A schematic representation of an algorithm or process.

Example Flowchart

Start/End

• Shape is a rounded rectangle;
• Start is required and should always be the same;
• Start always should be the first block;
• Flowchart may have no End or multiple Ends.

Process

• Shape is a rectangle;
• Involves a single action or verb in the flowchart.

Input/Output

• Shape is a parallelogram;
• Indicates a manual operation is needed.

Decision

• Shape is a rhombus or diamond;
• Outcome is a Yes or No;
• In general: Yes should go left-right and No should go down.

Sub-process

• Indicate an independent process with its own Start and End;
• In programs, this is often a separate function.

Arrow

• Indicate the flow of the chart;
• Are drawn from the output of one symbol to the input of another;
• Only one arrow can represent an output;
• Multiple arrows can represent inputs.

Questions to ask

• What's the purpose of the flowchart?
  • Test an idea?
  • Communication with a team?
  • Project documentation?
  • Understanding of a large system?
• Where do you start?
• What is the final output of the process, system or task?
• What's trivial enough to not be included in the flowchart?

Further Learning

• Article: Introduction to Flowcharts
• Video: Introduction to Creating Flowcharts
• Tool: LucidChart