Subprocess Use this shape for a set of steps that combine to create a sub-process that is defined elsewhere, often on another page of the same document. There can be multiple outcomes, but often there are just two - yes and no. This is the most frequently used shape in almost every process.ĭecision This shape indicates a point where the outcome of a decision dictates the next step. Process This shape represents a typical step in your process. Start/End Use this shape for the first and last step of your process. That said, Visio shapes have names that suggest their most common uses. Most flowcharts tend to use only three or four of the shapes, unless there is a clear business reason to use more. However, there is no standard, universal meaning for the shapes – any shape can carry whatever meaning is agreed on by the people who will create and read the flowcharts.

Each shape on the stencil represents a different kind of step in a process. When you open the Basic Flowchart template, the Basic Flowchart Shapes stencil opens too. If that doesn’t do what you want, press Ctrl+Z to undo it, and then try some of the other options under the Align and Position buttons. On the Home tab, in the Arrange group, click Position, and then click Auto Align & Space. Press CTRL+A to select everything on the drawing page. To change the direction of a connector's arrow, select the connector, and then, on the Shape tab, in the Shape Styles group, click Line, point to Arrows, and select the arrow direction and style that you want. When you are finished typing, click on a blank area of the page.

To add text to a shape or connector, select it, and then type. If the second shape is not directly across from the first shape, click and hold the small arrow, drag it to the second shape, and drop the connector in the middle of the second shape.

You can then easily improve your flowchart, step by step.Īnd to encourage continuous improvement, you can end your workshop by asking what points should be improved for the next workshop with word cloud in a Storm Question.For each step in the process that you are documenting, drag a flowchart shape onto your drawing.Ĭonnect the flowchart shapes by holding the mouse pointer over the first shape, and then clicking the small arrow that appears that points to the shape you want to connect to. The results are consolidated in real time, so you can take them into account in a flexible way, even in remote work. Once the diagram is complete, ask the team for feedback by launching a Poll Question. If you want to change the layout of the diagram to get a different view of your process, use the organization tools to align, distribute and arrange the different types of ideas however needed. You can see the direction of the flow as you draw it! Then, connect ideas with each other using the connectors and arrows in the toolbar. For each new idea, enter the name of the step, document or decision in the Dimension box at the bottom of the idea and, if necessary, change its color.įor the yellow ideas, be sure to post the documents or links you want to share directly next to them, so they will be part of the diagram. You can copy and paste each item as many times as you need. Use the color key to categorize your ideas:

On the left, you will find the a toolkit you can use to create your workflow diagram. How? By simply asking them a Question about it! Before you start putting the different steps of the process in sequence, make sure that the team is aligned with the goals. Specify the project name, the date and the process name. Once you have invited your team members and other stakeholders who may be involved in the process to Board, start by defining the process to be mapped. Add more steps and details to your process visually in Board.

Process flow diagram template