What is a Flowchart Template? Definition, User Guide and Best Practices

There are many things that can help drive a team forward, including leaders, tools, and resources. These are all sources of inspiration and can help boost efficiency, but there is something all teams need outside of these factors. That something is an efficient process. To get the most out of your team, they must operate with an efficient process, and the best tool to help streamline workflows is a flowchart template.

In this article, we’ll define a flowchart template while discussing when to use one, how it can be applied, and the best practices for its implementation.

What is a Flowchart Template?

A flowchart template is defined as a visual representation of a step-by-step process, designed to enhance comprehension and guide users through a sequence of activities. Utilizing distinct shapes interconnected by arrows, this tool facilitates a clear and logical visualization of workflows within a system or project. As an indispensable resource, a well-crafted flowchart template streamlines communication for intricate processes, offering an efficient means for individuals to grasp and follow structured actions.

Flowchart Template Explained

A flowchart template is a versatile tool widely utilized across business, education, healthcare, and more. It serves as a visual aid, simplifying complex processes through a structured representation. When employed effectively, flowcharts offer concise structure, ease decision-making, and vividly illustrate the journey from initiation to accomplishment.

The important features of a flowchart template are simply shapes and arrows. The shapes will refer to the different, steps, questions, or stages of the process while the arrows are meant to be directional markers, showing users what route to take.

Just using shapes and arrows doesn’t mean flowcharts can only move in a straight line, however. These elements can be used freely to signify changes in direction, vision, or a drastically different task.

One of the ways flowcharts can convey information is through the different kinds of shapes that are used. Depending on your structure, different shapes can connote different types of tasks, a start or stop command, if a document needs to be produced, and much more.

By using different shapes you can bake another layer of complexity into your flowcharts to provide the best possible instructions for your team. Additionally, you can add other unique design elements like different colors, styles, or sizes to add a unique touch to your flowchart template. This is another thing that helps make your flowchart unique and valuable.

Flowcharts are flexible, multi-purpose tools that teams can use for many different scenarios. Here are some of the most common use cases:

• To visualize a process.

• To audit a process for improvements.

• To share a process with others.

• To plan a project.

• Mapping a computer algorithm (commonly known as a UML diagram).

• To communicate a clear route from beginning to end.

• To simplify complex decision-making.

These are some of the various cases where flow charts are very helpful for teams, and mostly they revolve around the visualization or communication of a complex process. Flow charts are extremely helpful in breaking that down into linear steps and giving people a clear view of what needs to happen next.

Now that we understand where a flowchart template is most applicable, let’s discuss some best practices to using them and how to build one yourself.

Learn more: Different Flowchart Examples

Flowchart Template User Guide

Multiple steps need to be taken to successfully build a flowchart template. These don’t directly relate to the actual drawing of the lines and shapes but they do help structure your vision and goals when creating one. Here are some common steps to follow to successfully build a flowchart template.

Define a Topic

The first step in building a flowchart template is understanding the overall topic you’ll be outlining. Depending on the circumstance this could be a workflow, a service process, a project, or anything else. The title should reflect the topic and everything that follows will fall under this umbrella.

Define the Parameters

Arguably the most important part of the flowchart template is the parameters. To define the parameters accurately, these questions should be considered:

• What is the start of the process?

• What is the end of the process?

• Are there multiple possible endings?

• Are there any essential steps in between?

• How detailed will the steps be?

The answers to these questions should help create boundaries for the flowchart template.

Brainstorm the Details

Within the defined parameters, the next step is brainstorming the details of the map. Without organizing them, think about every step, action, and direction that must be taken to achieve the end goal. These can be documented on sticky notes before being placed in their permanent slots.

Organize the Flowchart Template

After brainstorming all of the steps, it’s time to put them in place. This step involves linearly organizing the process so the ideas track from beginning to end and also adding unique shapes and design elements to denote different meanings to different steps.

It’s important here to make the map as readable as possible to avoid any confusion between steps and directions.

Review and Use The final step is the review and use of the flowchart template. Ensure everyone who will need it understands how to use it and agrees that everything is placed correctly. After that, it’s time to put it into action.

Learn more: Flowchart Advantages

Best Practices For Building a Flowchart Template

Understanding how to build a flowchart template helps you create one, but understanding the best practices to use them will unlock their full efficiency. Here are some tips to remember when creating a flowchart template.

• Plan the template thoroughly before building it: Missing even one step can throw a process off and everything must be included.

• Keep it linear: Everything should generally move from top to bottom or left to right. Aside from some lateral and cyclical motion, this is the generally accepted direction of flow.

• Use recognizable design elements: Shapes, notes, and lines should be standardized and consistent to make the diagram simple to understand. In the case that the flowchart is complex or varied, implementing a key could be helpful for first-time users.

• Bland is better: Normally we advocate for using colors to distinguish different elements visually, but with a flowchart, it’s important to stick to around three colors. This way things can be grouped based on similar tasks or directions but there isn’t too much variation to confuse.

• Get multiple opinions: Similar to other collaborative projects, multiple people with different perspectives must be consulted when creating a flowchart template to ensure every angle is accounted for and nothing is forgotten.

Conclusion

If you are looking to diagram a process or add visual significance to your workflow, a flowchart template is the perfect tool. Build your custom flowchart template with IdeaScale Whiteboard today.