Flow Chart

Definition

• A flowchart is a visual representation of the sequence of steps and decisions needed to perform a process. Each step in the sequence is noted within a diagram shape. Steps are linked by connecting lines and directional arrows. ... A flowchart is a powerful business tool.
• According to wiki “A flowchart is a type of diagram that represents a workflow or process. A flowchart can also be defined as a diagrammatic representation of an algorithm, a step-by-step approach to solving a task”.
• A flowchart is a diagram that depicts a process, system or computer algorithm. They are widely used in multiple fields to document, study, plan, improve and communicate often complex processes in clear, easy-to-understand diagrams. Flowcharts, sometimes spelled as flow charts, use rectangles, ovals, diamonds and potentially numerous other shapes to define the type of step, along with connecting arrows to define flow and sequence. They can range from simple, hand-drawn charts to comprehensive computer-drawn diagrams depicting multiple steps and routes. If we consider all the various forms of flowcharts, they are one of the most common diagrams on the planet, used by both technical and non-technical people in numerous fields.
• Flowcharts are sometimes called by more specialized names such as Process Flowchart, Process Map, Functional Flowchart, Business Process Mapping, Business Process Modeling and Notation (BPMN),  or Process Flow Diagram (PFD). They are related to other popular diagrams, such as Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs) and Unified Modeling Language (UML) Activity Diagrams.

History

• Flowcharts to document business processes came into use in the 1920s and ‘30s. In 1921, industrial engineers Frank and Lillian Gilbreth introduced the “Flow Process Chart” to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).  In the early 1930s, industrial engineer Allan H. Morgensen used Gilbreth’s tools to present conferences on making work more efficient to business people at his company.  In the 1940s, two Morgensen students, Art Spinanger and Ben S. Graham, spread the methods more widely. Spinanger introduced the work simplification methods to Procter and Gamble. Graham, a director at Standard Register Industrial, adapted flow process charts to information processing. In 1947, ASME adopted a symbol system for Flow Process Charts, derived from the Gilbreths’ original work.
• Also in the late ‘40s, Herman Goldstine and John Van Neumann used flowcharts to develop computer programs, and diagramming soon became increasingly popular for computer programs and algorithms of all kinds. Flowcharts are still used for programming today, although pseudocode, a combination of words and coding language meant for human reading, is often used to depict deeper levels of detail and get closer to a final product.

Flowchart symbols

• Terminator :- The terminator symbol represents the starting or ending point of the system.
• Flowchart symbol: Terminator

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• Process :- A box indicates some particular operation.

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• Document :- This represents a printout, such as a document or a report.

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• Decision :- A diamond represents a decision or branching point. Lines coming out from the diamond indicates different possible situations, leading to different sub-processes.
• Data :- It represents information entering or leaving the system. An input might be an order from a customer. Output can be a product to be delivered.

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• On-Page Reference :- This symbol would contain a letter inside. It indicates that the flow continues on a matching symbol containing the same letter somewhere else on the same page.

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Flowchart symbols

• Off-Page Reference :- This symbol would contain a letter inside. It indicates that the flow continues on a matching symbol containing the same letter somewhere else on a different page.

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• Delay or Bottleneck :- Identifies a delay or a bottleneck.

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• Flow :- Lines represent the flow of the sequence and direction of a process.

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• Stored Data

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• Comment or Annotation

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DATA Stroage

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Comments

Flowchart symbols

• Subprocess/ Predefined process:-    Use this shape for a set of steps that combine to create a sub-process that is defined elsewhere, often on another page of the same document. This is useful if the diagram is very long and complex.

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How to Make a Flowchart

• There are several ways to make a flowchart. Originally, flowcharts were created by hand using pencil and paper. Before the advent of the personal computer, drawing templates made of plastic flowchart shape outlines helped flowchart makers work more quickly and gave their diagrams a more consistent look

When to Draw Flowchart?

• Using a flowchart has a variety of benefits:
• It helps to clarify complex processes.
• It identifies steps that do not add value to the internal or external customer, including delays; needless storage and transportation; unnecessary work, duplication, and added expense; breakdowns in communication.
• It helps team members gain a shared understanding of the process and use this knowledge to collect data, identify problems, focus discussions, and identify resources.
• It serves as a basis for designing new processes.

Advantages Of Flowchart

• It is a convenient method of communication.
• It indicates very clearly just what is being done, where a program has logical complexities.
• A key to correct programming.
• It is an important tool for planning and designing a new system.
• It clearly indicates the role-played at each level.
• It saves the inconveniences in future and serves the purpose of documentation for a system.
• It provides an overview of the system and also demonstrates the relationship between various steps.
• Facilitates troubleshooting.
• It promotes logical accuracy.
• It makes sure that no logical path is left incomplete without any action being taken.
• Flowcharts are easier to understand compare to Algorithms and Pseudo code.
• It helps us to understand Logic of given problem.
• It is very easy to draw flowchart in any word processing software like MS Word.
• Using only very few symbol, complex problem can be represented in flowchart.
• Software like RAPTOR can be used to check correctness of flowchart drawn in computers.
• Flowcharts are one of the good way of documenting programs.
• It helps us in debugging process. 

Disadvantages Of Flowchart

• The flowchart is a waste of time and slows down the process of software development.
• The flowchart is quite costly to produce and difficult to use and manage.
• Flowcharts are not meant for man to computer communication.
• Sometimes the Complex logic of the program logic is quite complicated to draw out on by using different defined shapes. In that case, flowchart becomes complex and clumsy. This will become a pain for the user, resulting in a waste of time and money trying to correct the problem
• If you need to modify or alternate the process then it will be very hard to do in the flowchart. Because either you will have to erase the end of the flowchart or start.
• Manual tracing is needed to check correctness of flowchart drawn on paper.
• Simple modification in problem logic may leads to complete redraw of flowchart.
• Showing many branches and looping in flowchart is difficult.
• In case of complex program/algorithm, flowchart becomes very complex and clumsy.
• Modification of flowchart is sometimes time consuming.

Algorithm

• Algorithm is step by step procedure to solve the problem.

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• Algorithm is complex to understand.
• In algorithm plain text are used.

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• Algorithm is easy to debug.
• Algorithm is difficult to construct.
• Algorithm does not follow any rules.
• Algorithm is the pseudo code for the program.

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Flowchart

• Flowchart is a diagram created by different shapes to show the flow of data.
• Flowchart is easy to understand.

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• In flowchart, symbols/shapes are used.
• Flowchart it is hard to debug.
• Flowchart is simple to construct.
• Flowchart follows rules to be constructed.
• Flowchart is just graphical representation of that logic.

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