Shruti Bhat PhD, MBA, Operations Excellence Expert
  • Home
  • Operational Excellence Hub
  • Insights
  • Resources
    • Process Improvement
    • Business Transformation
    • Innovation Management
    • Leading Research and Development
    • Developer's Diary
    • Business Continuity
    • Change Management
    • Digital Transformation
    • Quality Improvement and Compliance
    • Case Studies
    • Tools >
      • Checklists and Templates
      • Free eBooks and Whitepapers
      • Videos
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Services
    • PharmaOps Consulting
    • Tara LeanWorks
    • Training Services
  • About Shruti
  • Contact

Flow Charts- What are flow charts ? What role do they play in business process improvement?

12/21/2013

0 Comments

 
Flow charts are diagrams that are used to show various stages of a process that makes it easy for those viewing the chart to understand and view the entire process. It is a beneficial tool for helping with communication regarding various processes and the roles they play. It is also useful for providing concise documentation regarding the stages of a specific job or project. 

Many find that flow charts are a great tool for organizing their own thoughts since it helps one to map out the entire process step by step. It helps one digest and examine their own thoughts on various stages of the process and makes it much easier to notice where improvements or adjustments can be made. Flow charts used in organizations allow all those with access to the chart to understand the process and use it as a point of reference as well. 
 
Flow charts are commonly used to allow a  process to be defined and analyzed. It provides a clear picture of the entire  process and makes it easier to communicate, discuss and analysis particular ideas. Sometimes looking at the entire picture or final goal can be very daunting and block creativity since we are overwhelmed by various ideas. When flow charts are created, it allows one to focus on the stages one at a time and focus attention where and when it is required. 
  
There are certain symbols used in flow charts to represent different stages. These symbols are accompanied by a brief description regarding the stage. Arrows are used as representation to direct the train of movement in a chart. The various symbols used in flow charts represent different things. While there are many symbols out there, the most commonly used ones are: oval, rectangular, diamond and circle. 
 
The oval symbol stands for the beginning or final stage of the process. A regular symbol shows a typical process stage. A diamond symbol indicates where the ideas branch within a chart. An example of the diamond stage is if two or more options are available in the process. The circular symbol would be used to outline the option connected to the diamond stage that does not have further processes if it is chosen. 
 
Many organizations and individuals choose to use flow charts in order to analyze the flow of information. It is a great tool when it comes to planning and brain-storming ideas as well as for developing strategies and solutions. 



Follow Shruti on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn
 
#Manufacturing #ProcessExcellence  #ContinuousImprovement #BPM  #FlowCharts #ProcessMapping
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    New Book Released!

    Revolutionizing Industries with Lean Six Sigma

    Shruti's YouTube Channel ...

    Picture

    Blog Categories

    All
    3D Printing
    Agile
    Artificial Intelligence
    Automation
    Biotechnology
    Books
    Business Continuity
    Business Turnaround
    Case Studies
    Change Management
    Checklists
    Chemical Industry
    Continuous Improvement
    Design Thinking
    Digitalization
    Drug Delivery
    External News Links
    Hall Of Fame
    Healthcare
    Hoshin Kanri
    HR Development
    Innovation
    Insights
    ISO
    Just In Time
    Kaizen
    Leadership
    LEAN
    Lean Six Sigma
    Life Sciences
    Machine Learning
    Manufacturing
    Medical Devices
    Mistake Proofing
    Motivational Cards
    MSMEs
    Nanotechnology
    Operational Excellence
    Packaging
    Patents
    Personal Products
    Process Improvement
    Product Development
    Productivity Increase
    QbD
    Quality Management
    R&D Leadership
    Robotics
    Service Industry
    Six Sigma
    Strategy
    Supply Chain Logistics
    Telecom Industry
    Templates
    TQM
    Videos
    Voice Of Customer
    Whitepaper
    Workshops

    Shruti's books...

    Picture
    top ten strategic decision-making tools for operational excellence
    shruti bhat, business process management, continuous improvement
    kaizen for pharmaceutcials, medical devices and biotech industry book by Dr Shruti Bhat
    Book on Continuous improvement tools by Dr Shruti Bhat
    kaizen for leaders, continuous process improvement tool to increase profit and organizational excellence by shruti bhat
    kaizen, shruti bhat, continuous improvement, quality, operations management
    how to lead a successful business transformation
    leading organizations through crisis
    emotional intelligence
    how to overcome challenges of creating effective teams
    modular kaizen Vs Blitz kaizen
    How to increase employee engagement as a new boss

Connect with Dr. Shruti Bhat at- ​YouTube, LinkedIn​ and X

© Copyright 1992- 2026 Dr. Shruti Bhat ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
See Terms and Conditions details for this site usage.
Picture
Subscribe to PharmaOps Consulting YouTube Channel
Subscribe to Operational Excellence Academy YouTube Channel
​Subscribe to Operational Excellence Academy YouTube Channel
SHRUTI BHAT, CONTACT
Click to connect.
Disclaimer:
  • All content (and in all formats) provided on this site is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, regulatory, quality, financial, medical or professional advice. If you wish to apply ideas contained on this site, web pages, resources bank, tools and/or blog; collectively referred to as website, you are taking full responsibility for your actions. 
  • No professional-client relationship is created by reading or using this content. 
  • ​To the fullest extent permitted by law, the author(s), Dr. Shruti Bhat and website owner disclaim liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on the information contained herein. Read full disclaimer here before reviewing the site.
Created by Macro2Micro Media