Flowcharts are helpful graphical tools for visualizing and analyzing different processes by outlining their steps and relationships between their various parts. They are useful for understanding and solving complex problems and processes, mapping workflows, and many other things. As with other tools and visual templates, flowcharts have advantages and limitations.
Flowcharts Enhance Clarity
These visual tools are excellent at organizing complex steps and processes to make them more digestible. By formatting information in this way, they make everything easier to understand. Designers use directional arrows, different paths, and action commands to ensure they convey information and processes as required.
This clarity also helps stakeholders understand different outcomes and the steps that lead to them, allowing teams to focus on a single objective and the best ways to achieve it.
Designers should understand flowchart basics to create ones that meet this objective. If not, they may create visually appealing ones but that do not provide enough clarity to be adequate for what the team needs them for.
They Can Be Challenging to Create and Maintain
The main limitation of flowcharts becomes clear when a process or workflow that a team needs to map is too large. The designer may be unable to fit everything on a signal flowchart, leading to them requiring additional tools to simplify the process before mapping it using a flowchart.
Things get even more complicated if there are multiple decision points and possible outcomes. In such cases, the flowchart might become so visually complex and overwhelming that it becomes useless.
Flowcharts Help Teams Communicate Ideas Quickly
Instead of using hard-to-follow flows outlined in bullet lists, teams can use flowcharts to visualize every step of the flow. This can make it easier to understand the idea behind it quickly. Additionally, the flowchart becomes a living document team members can reference in the future if they ever need guidance and context.
This benefit also applies to new hires who must understand the business or team’s workflows and processes. A flowchart is an excellent introductory tool that does not require extensive studying to understand if it is designed well. Leveraging it, new hires can get up to speed quickly, benefiting both the team and business.
Flowcharts Can Be Misleading
Another limitation of flowcharts is that they are as accurate as the assumptions, information, and perspectives that went into it as it was being designed. If there are failings in any of these areas, the flowchart will be inaccurate or misleading. At the very least, this will cost the team time as it tries to rectify the issues that come up, or additional resources and clients if they have to abandon projects or start all over.
It can also lead to significant business repercussions if a misleading or inaccurate flowchart is used to inform crucial decision-making processes.
Flowcharts are easy to create. They make communication among team members easier, make visualizing data, processes, and workflows easier, and are great for onboarding new hires. However, they should be designed well and based on accurate data and assumptions to ensure they become a helpful tool for the team and business.