Flow charts are the crucial tools that help you outline steps, orders, and processes with their easy-to-follow structures. These structures consist of various shapes and symbols.
They are the essential tools for visualizing processes, improving understanding, and facilitating effective decision-making. Flow charts facilitate users to outline steps, order, and choices in a designated task.
This guide will walk you through the commonly used process diagram symbols, their meanings. Besides, you’ll learn how each flowchart creation can help you simplify the analysis of any production process and communicate complex workflows efficiently.
Why Use Flowchart Symbols?
A well-designed flowchart supports process improvements and enhances problem-solving. These traits make it invaluable for business, programming, manufacturing, and project management contexts. However, this is only possible if the flow charts are correctly made using the right symbols for the correct component.
By bringing in clarity and understanding of the various steps, flow charts symbols make the process diagrams easy to interpret. Readers can immediately understand where the processes start, end, split, or converge as they become familiar with standardized shapes.
Key Flowchart Symbols You Should Know
1. Oval (Terminal Symbol)
Description:
Also known as the terminal symbol, the oval symbol marks the start and end points in a process.
Function:
This shape speaks for the beginning and conclusion of a process. Labeled as “Start” and “End”, these symbols clearly mention a process’s starting and ending points.
2. Rectangle (Process Symbol)
Description:
As a core symbol in flowcharts, Rectangle represents actions or tasks.
Function:
This symbol represents tasks from beginning to end in a process. Each rectangle when outlines a step or operation, directs the reader to follow sequential actions.
3. Diamond (Decision Symbol)
Description:
The diamond shaped symbol represents the decision points in a flowchart.
Function:
To represent choices, typically yes/no or true/false decisions, symbols, such as diamonds are used in a flowchart.
4. Parallelogram (Input/Output Symbol)
Description:
The parallelogram in a flow chart represents input and output processes, such as entering data or receiving output.
Function:
Parallelogram symbol shows the data entry or exit points in a system. This informs or guides the readers about when to enter the information in the system. Likewise, this symbol also pinpoints the spot where the readers might expect a system-generated result.
5. Arrow (Flow Line)
Description:
Arrows simply link steps in a process and serve as connectors.
Function:
By guiding the readers through each step in the correct sequence of work or information flow, arrows direct the reader’s flow smoothly.
6. On-Page Connector Symbol
Description:
On-page connector symbol is a small circle. It cleanly connects separate sections on the same page without crossing lines, avoiding clutter.
Function:
The on-page connector links various related steps with each other neatly, without creating a clutter and simplifies complex flowcharts easy-to-follow.
By linking related steps without clutter, an on-page connector makes complex flow charts easier to follow.
7. Off-Page Connector Symbol
Description:
Off-page symbol is a pentagon which hints towards a continuation on another page, as the flowcharts in this case spans over multiple pages.
Function:
Off-page symbols are ideal for multi-page flowcharts. It facilitates readers to handle complex workflows consisting of many sections.
8. Document Symbol
Description:
This symbol resembles a piece of paper with a wavy edge at the bottom.
Function:
It highlights points where documentation is essential, such as creating records or quality checks.
9. Multiple Documents Symbol
Description:
This symbol appears as a stack of papers, indicating multiple documents.
Function:
Useful for processes involving multiple documents, it marks tasks requiring several forms or records.
10. Preparation Symbol
Description:
This six-sided polygon represents tasks that are used to prepare for the main workflow.
Function:
It signals steps where resources, conditions, or prerequisites must be gathered before continuing.
11. Manual Operation Symbol
Description:
Shaped like a trapezoid with a wider top, it denotes manual tasks.
Function:
Indicates steps needing human intervention, helping to identify where automation could replace manual input.
12. Summoning Junction Symbol
Description:
This symbol is a circle with four divided sections.
Function:
Used where multiple paths converge into one, it simplifies complex workflows by merging branches into a common point.
13. Merge Symbol
Description:
A triangle that points in the direction of flow.
Function:
It combines multiple inputs or sequences, visualizing the point where different paths merge into a single process.
14. Collate Symbol
Description:
The hourglass-shaped collate symbol represents arranging or organizing items.
Function:
It’s valuable for steps involving data collection, sorting, or grouping information before analysis.
15. Sort Symbol
Description:
Shaped like two joined triangles, it denoted sorting.
Function:
Ideal for workflows requiring classification, such as organizing data or inventory into categories.
16. Or Symbol
Description:
A circle with a plus symbol in the center.
Function:
This symbol identifies points in a process where one of several options may proceed, clarifying branching decisions.
17. Loop Limit Symbol
Description:
A rectangle with a semi-circular top, indicates a loop’s limit.
Function:
It defines where a looping process should end, which is particularly useful in programming workflows.
18. Delay Symbol
Description:
An elongated semi-circle, this symbol marks a waiting period.
Function:
Used in workflows with built-in delays, it shows where a pause, cooling, or other time-dependent step is required.
19. Internal Storage Symbol
Description:
A rectangle with two internal lines, representing data stored within a system.
Function:
Commonly seen in software flowcharts, it marks the data held within an internal memory component.
20. Data Storage Symbol
Description:
Shaped like a curved sheet of paper, it represents external data storage.
Function:
Useful in indicating interactions with external databases or file storage, such as a cloud server.
21. Database Symbol
Description:
Resembling a stack of cylinders, this symbol marks the presence of a database.
Function:
Essential for workflows requiring data storage or retrieval, often used in applications like inventory or transaction management.
22. Display Symbol
Description:
A combination of a semicircle and a triangle.
Function:
It shows points in the process where information is displayed, useful for user interfaces and reports. .
23. Hard Disk Symbol
Description:
A sideways cylinder, representing a hard disk.
Function:
This symbol indicates where data is stored on a hard drive, marking data entry or retrieval points.
24. Alternate Process Symbol
Description:
A rectangle with rounded corners.
Function:
Used to denote a process that provides an alternative method, showing optional paths or workflows.
Building Flowcharts with Ease
Creating flowcharts is easier than ever with modern tools that offer drag-and-drop functionality and pre-made templates. Flowchart software, like Venngage, allows you to create professional diagrams without needing extensive design skills. With an in-editor library of shapes, icons, and customizable options, you can effortlessly bring clarity and organization to complex workflows.
Conclusion
Understanding flowchart symbols is crucial for anyone involved in process mapping or process improvement. By utilizing these symbols effectively, you can create clear, streamlined, and professional diagrams that enhance communication, identify bottlenecks, and optimize processes.
Whether you’re documenting business workflows, programming, or improving manufacturing systems, the universal language of flowcharts helps you and others comprehend and refine complex procedures.
Mastering these symbols will make you well-equipped to map out processes with confidence and precision. Happy flowcharting!
