WorkflowCharts

WorkflowCharts are graphical representations of the steps involved in a workflow, showing the order of activities, decision points, inputs and outputs, and the roles responsible for each step. They are used to document, analyze, and improve processes in fields such as business operations, software development, and manufacturing.

A typical workflow chart includes tasks or activities, decision nodes that route flow based on conditions, connectors or arrows that indicate sequence, actors or roles, and data stores or inputs and outputs. Start and end points mark the boundaries of the process. Some charts may include timing information or resources, but basic workflow charts focus on sequencing and data flow.

Notations and standards: Flowchart symbols borrowed from unified flowchart methods are widely used. BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) provides a more expressive standard for business processes, including events, gateways, and lanes. UML activity diagrams offer a modeling approach for software workflows. Choice of notation affects readability and tool support.

Applications: In business process management, workflow charts help map procedures for onboarding, order fulfillment, or service delivery. In software engineering, they may illustrate build pipelines, test flows, or deployment steps. In manufacturing or operations, they document assembly lines and information handoffs. They also serve as input to automation systems and workflow engines.

Benefits and limitations: Workflow charts improve clarity, support communication among stakeholders, and provide a baseline for process improvement and automation. However, large or highly dynamic processes can produce complex diagrams that are hard to maintain. They may require ongoing updates and may lack timing or resource detail unless extended with additional notations.