Quality Tools
Flowchart Generator
Map a process step by step — actions, decisions, and branches — to make bottlenecks and rework loops visible.
Instructions:
- • Add nodes using the form above
- • Drag nodes to reposition them
- • Click on a node to edit its text
- • Use "Connect Nodes" to link nodes together
- • Click two nodes in sequence to create connections
Process Flow Chart
Add nodes to start creating your flow chart
Node Types:
What is a flowchart?
A flowchart is a visual representation of a process, workflow, or algorithm that uses standardized symbols to show the sequence of steps and decision points. Flowcharts help teams understand, analyse, and improve processes by making them visible.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Oval | Start / end |
| Rectangle | Process step |
| Diamond | Decision point |
| Arrow | Direction of flow |
Uses: visualise complex processes, find bottlenecks and rework loops, standardise procedures, train new staff, and document how work is actually done.
How to create an effective flowchart
- Define the process scope and boundaries
- Identify the start and end points
- List all process steps in sequence
- Identify decision points and branches
- Connect the elements with arrows
- Review and validate with the people who do the work
Best practices: use standard symbols consistently, keep text short, keep flow top-to-bottom or left-to-right, avoid crossing lines, and include every path — including the failure branches.
Flowchart applications
| Sector | Typical uses |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Production process mapping, QC procedures, maintenance workflows, safety protocols |
| Service industries | Customer service, order fulfilment, complaint handling, onboarding |
| Healthcare | Patient pathways, emergency response, medication administration, infection control |
Worked example: order fulfilment
An illustrative e-commerce fulfilment flow, mapped as it actually runs:
- Start: customer places an order
- Decision: is the payment valid?
- Process: check inventory
- Decision: are all items in stock?
- Process: pick and pack
- Process: generate the shipping label and ship
- End: customer receives the order
Drawing the “no” branches is where the improvement ideas come from: what happens to a failed payment, who handles a partial stock-out, whether inventory is checked before or after payment. Those exception paths are usually where delays and errors concentrate.