This paper provides a visual representation of
basic flowchart symbols and
their proposed usage in communicating the structure of a well-developed web
site, as well as their correlation in developing on-line instructional
projects.
A typical flowchart from older Computer
Science textbooks may have the following kinds of symbols:
- Start and end
symbols, represented as lozenges, ovals or rounded
rectangles, usually containing the word "Start" or
"End", or another phrase signalling the start or end of
a process, such as "submit enquiry" or "receive
product".
- Arrows, showing what's
called "flow of control" in computer science. An arrow
coming from one symbol and ending at another symbol
represents that control passes to the symbol the arrow
points to.
- Processing steps,
represented as rectangles. Examples: "Add 1 to X";
"replace identified part"; "save changes" or similar.
- Input/Output,
represented as a parallelogram. Examples: Get X from the
user; display X.
- Conditional (or
decision), represented as a diamond (rhombus). These
typically contain a Yes/No question or True/False test.
This symbol is unique in that it has two arrows coming
out of it, usually from the bottom point and right
point, one corresponding to Yes or True, and one
corresponding to No or False. The arrows should always
be labelled. More than two arrows can be used, but this
is normally a clear indicator that a complex decision is
being taken, in which case it may need to be broken-down
further, or replaced with the "pre-defined process"
symbol.
- A number of other symbols that
have less universal currency, such as:
- A Document
represented as a rectangle with a wavy base;
- A Manual input
represented by rectangle, with the top irregularly
sloping up from left to right. An example would be
to signify data-entry from a form;
- A Manual operation
represented by a trapezoid with the longest parallel
side upmost, to represent an operation or adjustment
to process that can only be made manually.
- A Data File
represented by a cylinder
Flowcharts may contain other
symbols, such as connectors, usually represented as circles,
to represent converging paths in the flow chart. Circles
will have more than one arrow coming into them but only one
going out. Some flow charts may just have an arrow point to
another arrow instead. These are useful to represent an
iterative process (what in Computer Science is called a
loop). A loop may, for example, consist of a connector where
control first enters, processing steps, a conditional with
one arrow exiting the loop, and one going back to the
connector. Off-page connectors are often used to signify a
connection to a (part of a) process held on another sheet or
screen.
A flowchart is described as
"cross-functional" when the page is divided into different
"lanes" describing the control of different
organizational
chart units. A symbol appearing in a particular "lane"
is within the control of that organizational unit. This
technique allows the analyst to locate the responsibility
for performing an action or making a decision correctly,
allowing the relationship between different organizational
units with responsibility over a single process.
Standard Flowchart Symbols
Flowcharts use special shapes to represent different types of actions or steps in a process. Lines and arrows show the sequence of the steps, and the relationships among them.
Work Flow Diagram Shapes
Work flow relationships are where work is done by
different departments in a fixed sequence. That means that one department needs
to finish its job before the work can be continued by another department. The
development and maintenance of these work flow relationships is very important
for managers because they are dependant on the preceding areas for his of her
own work and is responsible to the managers and workers in the further stages of
the chain.
Audit Flow Diagram Shapes
Flowcharts use special shapes to represent different types of actions or
steps in a process. Lines and arrows show the sequence of the steps, and the
relationships among them.
More
Flowchart Shapes
Sketch Flowchart Template
Value-Added Flowchart Template
Workflow Template
The Flowchart Symbols and Their Usage
Terminal points indicate the starting [sometimes
known as a 'trigger'] and ending points of the process.
Step represents a single step within the process,
and usually contains the name of the specific action.
Page symbols refer to individual web pages, which
may or may not contain multiple elements.
File symbols represent those data elements that
exist independently of navigational properties outside of that page, e.g.,
audio sounds, movie clips, or a portable document file (PDF).
A decision point indicates a sequence in the process
at which the end user chooses an option, i.e., a "yes-no", or "true-false"
response, and then branches to different parts of the flowchart.
Arrows and connecting lines diagram the logical
progression through the course, subject to the choices made at decision or
action points within the process.
The input/action symbol represents a user response
that directs the course flow from that point onwards, i.e., an online test,
or questionnaire form.
Represents the choice made by the user from mutually
exclusive options, e.g., a student choosing among different lesson plans.
Conditional selector is similar to the conditional
branch except that the user has the option to choose from a number of paths
that will fulfill the requested conditions, e.g., the results of a search
engine request.
Pages that share one or more common aspects, and are
functionally identical may be simplified as a rounded corner rectangle, such
as an on-line test or feedback form.
Reference is used as a connecting point when the
flowchart necessitates using more than one page, or refers to a complicated
subroutine that would be impossible to contain on the main flowchart page.
Annotations provide helpful comments or
explanations, e.g. denoting the location where an undeveloped new
page/process will fit into the navigational flow structure, or notes for
specific team members for further development.
Flow references and flow areas are symbols for
reusable sequences, such as logging in with a specific user id and password
to enter the course or to initiate an on-line quiz. The flow reference
symbol acts as a placeholder for the flow area sequence in the chart in
every situation in which it is repeated.
Flow area is used as a flow area, it documents
sections that share similar components/repeated steps within that flow, and
requires the use of the following two symbols: entry and exit points.
Exit point concludes the subroutine, such as when
the proper user id and password are verified, and documents where the user
re-enters the master flowchart.
Entry point documents the place within the master
flowchart where the process deviates into a subroutine.
Process Flowchart Drawing Guidelines
There is no one right way to develop a flowchart,
but the following guidelines provide a general structure to follow, whether
it's of the overall course navigational process, or at the handoff phase to
the various team members to develop more detailed treatment.
- Start with a simple one-line description or
title of the process being flowcharted , e.g., "How to..."
- Using a top-down hierarchy, start with a
terminal symbol, naming this trigger event, e.g., "User accesses course
database..."
- Connect each successive action step in the
logical sequence of events.
- Reference detailed information through
annotations or connectors.
- Follow the process through to completion,
denoted by a labeled end terminal symbol, e.g., "exit course."
A well-developed functional flowchart created in the
design phase can save hours of wasted manpower time by ensuring that the
structure, sequencing and branching decision points in a computer based
instructional program support the course goals and objectives before
development.
Whether you are the sole creator wearing many hats,
or one of many on the development team, sharing a common visual language
will guide the project through its many iterations and development phases
throughout the instructional design process.
