Simplifying life using Flow Charts. – PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

A flow chart is a representation of a workflow or process. Their usage is wide: writing algorithms, documenting systems, communicating complex processes step by steps or even film scripts! Yes, Christopher Nolan used them while writing Inception! Read on to find out more about the types and their usage.

Flow chart from Christoper Nolan’s Inception storyboard

Frank and Lillian Gilbreth first coined the term ‘Flow process chart‘ in a presentation to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in 1921.

Flow charts of the information flow in the project, workflows with possible sequence of authorization, list of
reports, meeting plans, etc.
PMBOK 6th Edition

Different types of flow charts are:

Types of Flow chart
Image Source: Flowchart Tutorial, Pinterest, https://images.app.goo.gl/DE3ehzmLAZ9PRsqY8

Flowline – is used to show the order of operation. It is usually one line emerging from one symbol and joining the other.
Terminal – indicates the starting and ending of a process or workflow.
Process – indicates operations that change value, form, or data over time.
Decision – indicates a conditional operation that answers yes/no or true/false questions.
Input/Output – indicates the process to input and get data output.

Real-life use of flowcharts

I have been using Flow charts my whole life. They are useful tools to make life easier.

Image Source: What is a flowchart, Asana.

Before coming to Canada, I had to shortlist various colleges for applying to postgraduate programs. There were so many options in front of me based on provinces, colleges, programs and college tuition. I was very much overwhelmed and annoyed. BUT flowcharts came to my rescue!

I used a rectangle flow chart to list provinces, colleges and their programs. I used a parallelogram flowchart to list various options regarding admission from colleges and tuition fees. The diamond flowchart helped me finalize a decision based on the above inputs and outputs. The flow line was used to connect various flow charts.

This exercise not only made me learn more about flowcharts but also allowed me to effectively decide on finalizing colleges.

The video below will be useful in doing a deep dive into flowcharts.