Sample Flowcharts

Description of flowcharts

Below is a basic flow chart showing the 5 basic flowcharting symbols. (continued below...)

 

This diagram is typical of most flow charts you will find in process documentation. Using these basic symbols is a simple but effective way to provide a graphical snapshot of a process. The following is an overview of the symbols:

·         The rectangles indicate Process steps.

·         The diamonds indicate Decisions, or branches in the process.

·         The circles indicate Connectors which act as jump nodes from one part of the process to another.

·         The ovals ( Terminators) indicate the process boundaries, showing where the process starts and stops.

·         The arrows ( Flow Lines) indicate the process flow direction.

Questions on Flowcharts

1. For each of the flowcharts below describe in words what you think they will do.

This flow chart is for testing the temperature of things, and calculating whether it is above or below 32 degrees.

This flowchart is of a one second response to a switch.

How to use word to draw flowcharts

You can go to this link for an explanation of the shapes in word that can be used for flowcharts, just don’t bother giving them your email address.

Then you can use word to answer the following question.

2. Convert one of the algorithms you have created in the previous task into a flowchart, e.g.  opening a door, moving through a traffic light.