Throughout my time at college, I used flowcharts to map out my analysis processes so that they may very well be clearly understood and repeated throughout peer assessment. Recently, I’ve been utilizing flowchart templates to arrange an educational ebook on floral design. At present, I’ll be exploring flowcharts as they pertain to the enterprise sector.
Flowchart templates assist folks simply map out enterprise processes, enhance workflows, and even make clear organizational buildings. Any business could make good use of flowcharts for enterprise, and templates make that work go even quicker.
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Bulleted lists, Phrase paperwork, and even displays might help convey a course of, however they don’t supply the identical degree of visible readability and readability {that a} flowchart does — particularly when attempting to map out totally different steps or phases. So, let’s reply the primary questions first: what’s a flowchart, and what can you employ it for?
Desk of Contents
What’s a flowchart?
Flowcharts are perfect for outlining processes, that are the spine of a powerful enterprise. In my view, a transparent, repeatable course of has two main hurdles to profitable implementation in any enterprise: first, the event of that course of, and second, getting buy-in from stakeholders on that course of. (Good luck, proper?)
One of the simplest ways to beat each of those potential roadblocks is to transparently and logically define a course of.
Many companies use flowcharts to handle this, as flowcharts visually define a course of roadmap for a full-scope understanding. They may also be simply digested by workers who have to know and observe the method.
In a enterprise, flowcharts can be utilized for any of the next functions:
- Crew and organizational alignment. An organizational construction diagram clarifies who experiences to whom in your crew.
- Information administration. A information circulate diagram will make it easier to perceive how info progresses by way of what you are promoting up till deletion.
- Gross sales course of mapping. Making a gross sales course of flowchart might help you shorten the gross sales cycle and improve income.
- E-mail nurturing. E-mail campaigns are famously depending on workflows, that are a kind of flowchart that decides who to enroll in a marketing campaign and when.
- Buyer journey mapping. A buyer journey flowchart exhibits how prospects discover you and what their expertise is like at what you are promoting.
- Buyer or worker onboarding. A buyer onboarding course of circulate might help you outline what messaging to ship and when throughout your buyer’s first interactions with what you are promoting.
- A/B testing. When designing an A/B take a look at, you’ll usually use a flowchart to determine what number of variations you’ll take a look at and the potential outcomes you’ll get.
You may also use flowcharts for QA work, mapping out your profession development, and far, rather more. Moreover, you possibly can reap the benefits of templates to scale back your workload.
How Flowchart Templates Can Assist
Pre-designed flowchart templates supply a number of advantages. I’ll check out them beneath:
- Saves time. The first profit is fairly simple. Utilizing a template is faster than constructing a flowchart from sq. one.
- Relevant for various functions. Flowchart templates can be found on-line for diverse use circumstances, from college utility workflows to mortgage approval processes. Seek for one that matches your necessities, modify it, save/share/export it, and also you’re good to go.
- Customizable in keeping with particular person or organizational wants. Templates normally supply quite a few modification and personalization choices. I’ve seen some instruments that additionally let you add your model belongings to the design.
That will help you create actionable flowcharts to your group, I’ve listed the most effective flowchart templates so that you can begin utilizing at the moment. These might help you to create a smoother course of in any space of what you are promoting. The primary 9 include a obtain hyperlink so that you can begin utilizing that template proper on Google Slides.
Flowchart Templates for Enterprise
1. Fundamental Course of Flowchart Template
I really feel that this fundamental circulate chart template is a good resolution for these simply getting began with flowcharts. Why? The template permits its designers to specify a place to begin, two potential outcomes, after which the ensuing processes of these selections. Resulting from its limitations, this flowchart template is finest suited for easy processes.
Who ought to use this flowchart? Anybody who must map out if-then processes.
What I like about this flowchart template: The essential course of flowchart is straightforward to make use of and observe, and it’s preferrred for documenting simple or easy processes.
Professional tip: This flowchart is useful for these trying to design an A/B take a look at to find out one of the best ways to get the outcomes they’re searching for.
2. Swimlane Flowchart Template
The swimlane flowchart template divides the steps of a course of into totally different sectors. For what you are promoting, these totally different sectors may very well be time durations, groups, workers, or work necessities.
Who ought to use this flowchart? Swimlane flowcharts are notably useful for individuals who oversee cross-functional processes.
What I like about this flowchart template: This template visualizes the totally different course of steps that happen throughout a number of groups or organizations.
3. Activity Flowchart Template
A job flowchart template simplifies advanced processes with distinctive shapes. Every form on the flowchart represents one thing totally different, forming a fast visible key.
This format is useful when the work of a number of groups intertwines all through a course of. It’s because it makes it simpler for crew members to determine the duties they’re liable for.
These roles are sometimes famous in a key on the flowchart for fast reference.
Who ought to use this flowchart? Challenge managers trying to maintain observe of assorted duties and their outcomes.
What I like about this flowchart template: The duty flowchart visually depicts how varied contributions to a product assist the top consequence. Every stakeholder can see how their duties influence the circulate of the challenge.
Professional tip: The shapes may also signify various kinds of actions, like back-end growth of a brand new aspect after which front-end testing of these parts to create a QA course of.
4. Advanced Flowchart Template
For a flowchart that doesn’t want gridlines or totally different shapes, this template is the most effective resolution in my view. It presents the choice for a number of endpoints relying on which steps are taken all through the method. Then it makes use of easy sure or no solutions to drive you towards the endpoint.
Who ought to use this flowchart? Groups trying to handle processes that would have varied endpoints or tasks which have a number of steps and stakeholders concerned.
What I like about this flowchart template: Advanced processes could be troublesome to maintain observe of. This flowchart template creates an intuitive visible for multi-step processes. This makes it simpler to determine if and when you need to transfer ahead.
5. Round Flowchart Template
The round flowchart template adjustments issues up with a unique form, however it additionally presents a unique path construction. It helps define each brief and lengthy processes, with totally different outcomes relying on the variety of steps required.
Who ought to use this flowchart? Social media managers, product entrepreneurs, and content material strategists could discover that this template fits their wants.
What I like about this flowchart template: This template has a cleaner look than among the extra advanced flowcharts and could also be higher for visible learners.
6. Linear Flowchart Template
A linear flowchart template is an answer for when there’s just one optimum consequence. Each step of the method will both lead somebody to that end result or consequence within the course of merely ending.
Who ought to use this flowchart? E-mail advertising specialists and gross sales groups can profit from this template as a result of there’s usually one aim: to earn yet one more subscriber or earn yet one more buyer.
What I like about this flowchart template: With one singular aim, this flowchart format has a transparent starting and finish, making it simple to stipulate a easy course of.
Professional tip: This linear circulate could be so long as you’d prefer it to be. I’ve personally obtained over 30 emails from the identical supply attempting to get me to choose into their supply. They actually hope that I’ll purchase, and I actually hope, for his or her sake, that they automate.
7. Tree Flowchart Template
A tree-style flowchart template makes essentially the most sense for conditions the place there are a number of selections and when every possibility has a transparent and distinct subsequent step.
Who ought to use this flowchart? For companies, this flowchart could be good for the assist division — which might use this template to map out responses from automated chat assist or a cellphone tree.
What I like about this flowchart template: Every motion has a transparent subsequent step and a predetermined end result, however you possibly can add greater than two choices, which is commonly not relevant to different flowcharts.
8. Organizational Flowchart Template
One other flowchart companies would possibly wish to use is an organizational flowchart (or org chart) template. That is an important chart that exhibits who experiences to whom and helps all workers perceive their place within the enterprise.
Who ought to use this flowchart? Firm and division heads use this template to stipulate the chain of command in an space of the enterprise. Human Sources groups may also use it to tell crew construction and organizational selections.
What I like about this flowchart template: Customers can see crew construction at a look and might shortly discover who they should go to for his or her challenge or to have their questions answered.
Professional tip: As folks tackle further roles and report to varied departments, these conventional org charts might not be versatile sufficient to signify actuality. It could simply signify a place to begin that may assist employees get oriented.
9. Determination Tree Flowchart Template
This template is just like the tree-style flowchart template coated above, nonetheless, this template is particularly designed to assist customers arrive at a call. Learn extra about resolution bushes and their benefits right here.
Who ought to use this flowchart? For organizations, this template advantages any division that wants assist in decision-making and evaluating totally different outcomes.
What I like about this flowchart template: Customers can see the overarching massive image and concurrently assess particular person potential outcomes for an issue assertion. It serves as a visible help within the course of of creating a extra knowledgeable resolution.
10. Algorithm Flowchart Template From Lucidchart
This template helps pictorially define the step-by-step course of concerned in an algorithm.
Who ought to use this flowchart? This flowchart template is useful for folks concerned in software program and app growth. Job roles that may profit from this template embody programmers, software program engineers, AI/ML engineers, and information analysts.
What I like about this flowchart template: This template presents a transparent visible illustration for a extra technical course of. (Observe: Whereas the template is free, superior options of the Lucidchart platform require a paid plan).
11. Google Docs Fundamental Flowchart Template From Smartsheet
Among the many main on-line phrase processors, Google Docs is utilized by companies all over the world. It is sensible that customers want to create flowcharts from inside the platform. This template helps with that. It presents a fundamental flowchart design, editable inside Google Docs.
Who ought to use this flowchart? This template is helpful for individuals who wish to construct and current flowcharts inside Google Docs.
What I like about this flowchart template: It simplifies flowchart creation inside Google Docs. Customers can click on on the obtain hyperlink, make a replica to their Google Docs account, and get began.
12. Excel Fundamental Flowchart Template From Smartsheet
Microsoft Excel was downloaded 10.5 million occasions on cell gadgets in Q3 of 2024. That’s in simply three months — highlighting the recognition of the spreadsheet device. Smartsheet presents a fundamental flowchart template for Excel that may assist streamline the method of constructing a flowchart inside the platform.
Who ought to use this flowchart? This template is useful for customers trying to create a flowchart inside Excel.
What I like about this flowchart template: It’s faster to get proper to work slightly than spending time setting up a flowchart design utilizing the “Form” parts on the platform.
Now that I’ve shared totally different flowchart templates, it’s time to take a look at them in motion. I’ll present examples for the primary eight varieties — so you possibly can visualize how they would seem when constructing one your self.
Flowchart Examples for Enterprise
1. Fundamental Course of Flowchart Instance
This template visualizes how a consumer visiting an organization’s touchdown web page might convert and change into a lead. Discover how there are two potential remaining outcomes, however due to this chart’s simplicity, I can add as many outcomes as I would like. With a flowchart like this, it’s vital to have clear, outlined targets in thoughts.
2. Swimlane Flowchart Instance
Within the instance above, the swimlanes are divided by division as an instance the method of the shopper journey. That is exceedingly vital for figuring out which groups have to work together with a buyer and when.
With out a swimlane flowchart outlining these roles, the shoppers’ expertise with the corporate can appear haphazard and poorly deliberate.
3. Activity Flowchart Instance
Within the instance above, the totally different shapes signify the beginning of, finish of, and actions taken in the course of the technique of viewing a touchdown web page. This job flowchart instance follows an “if this, then that” format. It exhibits the varied outcomes that would happen when a possible buyer visits a touchdown web page.
4. Advanced Flowchart Instance
The above hiring visible is an instance of a posh flowchart with many occasions and potential outcomes. It presents two potential outcomes at each stage. Then, it exhibits with readability what occurs as a candidate strikes ahead. The colours additionally make it clear which remaining outcomes are constructive or damaging.
5. Round Flowchart Instance
Within the instance above, a round flowchart presents a decision-making framework.
Right here, it’s used to assist a social media supervisor determine which web site to submit content material on. It consists of particular, focused questions that outline the belongings the social media supervisor must create and which social platforms these belongings are finest suited to.
6. Linear Flowchart Instance
As I discussed earlier, linear flowcharts can be utilized for processes which have just one desired end result. Within the above instance, it’s for an electronic mail nurturing sequence. Within the picture, the method ends whether or not somebody indicators up for an occasion or not.
A time-bound (or finite) electronic mail nurturing sequence is particularly a very good match for a majority of these flowcharts. For steady electronic mail advertising campaigns, I would want a extra agile flowchart the place I can decide when to maneuver a subscriber to a different electronic mail record.
7. Tree Flowchart Instance
On this tree flowchart instance, a enterprise depicts the alternatives and subsequent steps a caller can take when contacting them by cellphone. Discover that there are numerous endpoints for the shopper relying on their earlier motion.
A flowchart like that is helpful if I’m attempting to stipulate a course of with totally different branches. As an example, I would create a touchdown web page flowchart that determines which type or CTA is depicted to a buyer primarily based on their earlier exercise on my web site.
8. Organizational Flowchart Instance
Whereas not precisely procedural, this visualization helps these inside the firm shortly perceive who experiences to whom and who handles what.
The perfect a part of this instance is that it may be as detailed or so simple as you’d prefer it to be; you possibly can delve all the way down to your junior particular person contributors or just define your management map.
Free Flowchart Templates
Flowchart templates are extremely helpful for fixing enterprise issues and simplifying processes. That stated, some points want extra customized options.
I’ve gathered up some free and paid flowchart templates, instruments, and software program to check out — I’ll take a look at the free ones first.
The software program and adjustable templates I’ve hunted down may even assist your crew join and work collectively on flowcharts. They make it easy to create distinctive and easy-to-read flowcharts that match quite a lot of wants — together with mine.
I’ll be utilizing demos of the free instruments beneath to determine info flows for my educational ebook about floristry. Hopefully, we’ll each be taught one thing new.
Free Flowchart Templates, Instruments, and Software program
1. Miro
Pricing: Free, with paid choices for prolonged options and enterprises.
Who ought to use this device?
Groups that use flowcharts for all kinds of customers and stakeholders. This device can also be useful for groups that create circulate charts collaboratively or wish to embody a number of flowcharts in a single doc.
What I like: Miro presents instruments to construct and plan advanced flowcharts for groups. Apart from visible whiteboard instruments, Miro additionally presents templates for technique mapping, workflows, UX design, and extra. I personally liked the digital sticky be aware function that makes it simple so as to add feedback to in-progress flowcharts.
Right here’s a hyperlink to their flowchart template.
2. Draw.io
Pricing: Free
Who ought to use this device?
This device is well-liked with customers who need diagramming software program for instant enterprise utility. This flowchart device additionally consists of customizable templates. I used it to create the flowchart beneath that maps out how you can prepare a dozen pink roses.
What I like: This open-source expertise is straightforward and fast to make use of for sensible flowcharts and course of mapping. It creates course of diagrams for modeling, databases, networks, wireframes, and extra. It additionally presents tons of customization choices, however I didn’t discover it overwhelming to make use of.
3. Zen Flowchart
Pricing: Free, with paid choices for prolonged options.
Who ought to use this device?
Informal customers and enterprise corporations searching for web-based flowchart software program.
The free possibility is proscribed to twenty parts, so I used to be capable of whip up a easy flowchart to assist me resolve which fashion centerpieces to create for an occasion. I didn’t discover the arrows to be intuitive, however it does have icons to select from, which was a enjoyable contact.
What I like: Zen Flowchart is straightforward to make use of with a variety of options. You possibly can create thoughts maps, wireframes, or whiteboards with this drag-and-drop device. The straightforward workspace helps restrict distractions so you possibly can give attention to what you are promoting course of. This flowchart device additionally has options for collaboration and real-time commenting.
4. Lucidchart
Pricing: Free, with paid choices for prolonged options and enterprise.
Who ought to use this device?
Lucidchart presents options for each particular person customers and collaborative skilled groups. There are positively sufficient choices to do some superior, skilled chart work. I made a decision to construct an org chart for my preferrred floral store:
What I like: Past real-time collaboration and ease of use, this diagram software program additionally has a variety of superior options. You possibly can personalize flowcharts with customized shapes pulling from libraries of shapes and icons.
Automated diagramming might help new customers create a flowchart with out time-consuming edits and tweaks. For extra expert customers, there are integrations with Atlassian, Zapier, Notion, and extra that are additionally tremendous helpful.
These connections might help combine flowchart collaboration into your present tech stack and workflows.
5. Cacoo
Pricing: Free, with paid choices for prolonged options and enterprises.
Who ought to use this device?
This cloud-based and user-friendly device is helpful for quite a lot of customers and groups. Cacoo presents a bunch of collaboration instruments — together with video chat — in addition to integrations with Adobe Inventive Cloud and Google Drive. I used it to create this swimlane flowchart of how my preferrred florist store would handle buyer complaints.
What I like: Cacoo is a complete device that makes it simple to personalize flowcharts for a variety of makes use of. Whether or not you are making a advertising flowchart with imported photographs or a wireframe with customized symbols, this device might help.
The central dashboard can also be useful for understanding every part your challenge wants at a look and differentiates between personal and shared folders.
Paid Flowchart Templates, Instruments, and Software program
6. Textografo
Pricing: Begins at $4/month.
Who ought to use this device?
This text-to-diagram generator is an easy approach for much less visually oriented customers to create flowcharts. It is for customers who perceive the worth of graphical circulate diagrams but additionally might not be as fast or comfy with visible instruments.
What I like: This flowchart device presents a unique strategy to flowchart creation that may save many customers effort and time. Textografo might help customers create a flowchart, mindmap, resolution bushes, or animated diagrams. Customers may also collaborate on the method with this on-line device.
7. Microsoft Visio
Pricing: Begins at $5/month.
Who ought to use this device? This selection is nice if you happen to’re already embedded within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
What I like: This flowchart device might help you create advanced flowcharts or easy diagrams. The interface and styling are acquainted to many enterprise customers, which might help pace up the method of visualizing advanced concepts. It additionally presents themes to enhance the look of your flowcharts.
Visio additionally comes with a whole lot of templates for a variety of business wants. It additionally makes it easy to import information from Excel, Entry, and different Microsoft sources.
What makes an important flowchart template?
There are particular elements that make a flowchart template go from “simply okay” to nice — I’ll cowl them beneath.
Visible Readability, Hierarchy, and Group
A fantastic template follows a logical circulate, with the content material introduced in an easy-to-digest approach.
Good Design and Aesthetics
A number of facets go into the design of a flowchart template — coloration, font, sizing, form, arrows, and spacing, amongst others. All should work collectively cohesively and legibly to make it an important template.
Consistency
Ever observed inconsistent or jarring design immediately stands out (and never in a great way)?
I’ve, quite a few occasions. Our eyes can instantly spot inconsistencies, be it only a totally different font dimension or an irregular coloration scheme.
The aim of flowchart design is to offer a seamless expertise for the viewer, making the data visually comprehensible. Consistency helps with that. It additionally varieties one of many ten usability heuristics by Jakob Nielsen, co-founder of the Nielsen Norman Group.
Ease of Use
Two questions I’d ask on this part are:
- Are the shapes, format, textual content, and formatting choices user-friendly to navigate and modify?
- Is the template easy to edit, preview, save, and obtain?
Hopefully, the reply is sure.
Utilizing Enterprise Flowchart Templates
Enterprise flowchart templates are the quickest and best strategy to construct flowcharts, even quicker than instruments that take a while to be taught to make one thing customized. From among the many free instruments I examined at the moment, listed below are my takeaways:
- I can simply say that Cacoo was my favourite. They’ve way more intuitive arrows that connect with auto-docks across the shapes, holding traces tight and clear.
- Draw.io felt a bit like Photoshop to me, however not practically as overwhelming. Skilled graphic designers would possibly like that one in addition to Lucidchart for the acquainted, double-paneled interface.
- I might put Miro and Zen Flowchart in the identical class of being simple for newbies to check out, however I feel Miro edges out Zen Flowchart when it comes to what you get without spending a dime. Zen Flowchart works nicely, however the free model is actually only for small tasks — 20 parts isn’t a lot to work with.
I additionally hope that the templates mentioned earlier on this submit make it easier to higher illustrate and talk processes in your organization shortly and intuitively — with out having to spend money on or be taught new software program.
Editor’s be aware: This submit was initially printed in July 2018 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.
