Throughout my time at college, I used flowcharts to map out my analysis processes so that they might be clearly understood and repeated throughout peer assessment. These days, I’ve been utilizing flowchart templates to arrange an tutorial ebook on floral design. Right now, 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 constructions. Any business could make good use of flowcharts for enterprise, and templates make that work go even quicker.
Bulleted lists, Phrase paperwork, and even displays will help convey a course of, however they don’t supply the identical stage of visible readability and readability {that a} flowchart does — particularly when making an attempt to map out totally different steps or levels. So, let’s reply the principle questions first: what’s a flowchart, and what can you utilize 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?)
The easiest way 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 can be simply digested by workers who must know and comply with 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.
Knowledge administration. An information stream diagram will enable you perceive how data progresses by means of your small business up till deletion.
Gross sales course of mapping. Making a gross sales course of flowchart will 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 clients discover you and what their expertise is like at your small business.
Buyer or worker onboarding. A buyer onboarding course of stream will help you outline what messaging to ship and when throughout your buyer’s first interactions with your small business.
A/B testing. When designing an A/B take a look at, you’ll sometimes use a flowchart to determine what number of variations you’ll take a look at and the potential outcomes you’ll get.
You can too use flowcharts for QA work, mapping out your profession development, and far, rather more. Moreover, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of templates to cut back your workload.
How Flowchart Templates Can Assist
Pre-designed flowchart templates supply a number of advantages. I’ll check out them under:
Saves time. The first profit is fairly easy. Utilizing a template is faster than constructing a flowchart from sq. one.
Relevant for various functions. Flowchart templates can be found on-line for various use circumstances, from college software 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 response to particular person or organizational wants. Templates normally supply quite a few modification and personalization choices. I’ve seen some instruments that additionally will let you add your model belongings to the design.
That can assist you create actionable flowcharts to your group, I’ve listed one of the best flowchart templates so that you can begin utilizing as we speak. These will help you to create a smoother course of in any space of your small business. The primary 9 include a obtain hyperlink so that you can begin utilizing that template proper on Google Slides.
Flowchart Templates for Enterprise
1. Primary Course of Flowchart Template
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I really feel that this fundamental stream chart template is a superb answer 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 choices. 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 fundamental course of flowchart is simple to make use of and comply with, and it’s best for documenting easy 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 simplest ways to get the outcomes they’re on the lookout for.
2. Swimlane Flowchart Template
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The swimlane flowchart template divides the steps of a course of into totally different sectors. For your small business, these totally different sectors might be time intervals, groups, workers, or work necessities.
Who ought to use this flowchart? Swimlane flowcharts are notably useful for many 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. Job Flowchart Template
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A activity flowchart template simplifies complicated 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? Undertaking 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 help the tip consequence. Every stakeholder can see how their duties impression the stream of the mission.
Professional tip: The shapes also can symbolize various kinds of actions, like back-end improvement of a brand new ingredient after which front-end testing of these components to create a QA course of.
4. Complicated Flowchart Template
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For a flowchart that doesn’t want gridlines or totally different shapes, this template is one of the best answer in my view. It affords 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 might have varied endpoints or tasks which have a number of steps and stakeholders concerned.
What I like about this flowchart template: Complicated processes may be tough to maintain observe of. This flowchart template creates an intuitive visible for multi-step processes. This makes it simpler to determine if and when it is best to transfer ahead.
5. Round Flowchart Template
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The round flowchart template modifications issues up with a unique form, but it surely additionally affords a unique path construction. It helps define each quick 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 might discover that this template fits their wants.
What I like about this flowchart template: This template has a cleaner look than a few of the extra complicated flowcharts and could also be higher for visible learners.
6. Linear Flowchart Template
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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 consequence 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 sometimes one aim: to earn another subscriber or earn another 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 stream may be so long as you’d prefer it to be. I’ve personally obtained over 30 emails from the identical supply making an attempt 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
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A tree-style flowchart template makes essentially the most sense for conditions the place there are a number of decisions 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 help division — which might use this template to map out responses from automated chat help or a telephone tree.
What I like about this flowchart template: Every motion has a transparent subsequent step and a predetermined consequence, however you’ll be able to add greater than two choices, which is commonly not relevant to different flowcharts.
8. Organizational Flowchart Template
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One other flowchart companies would possibly need to use is an organizational flowchart (or org chart) template. That is a necessary 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 Assets groups also can use it to tell crew construction and organizational choices.
What I like about this flowchart template: Customers can see crew construction at a look and may shortly discover who they should go to for his or her mission 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 symbolize actuality. It might simply symbolize a place to begin that may assist employees get oriented.
9. Resolution Tree Flowchart Template
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This template is just like the tree-style flowchart template lined above, nevertheless, this template is particularly designed to assist customers arrive at a choice. Learn extra about choice bushes and their benefits right here.
Who ought to use this flowchart? For organizations, this template advantages any division that wants help 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 constructing a extra knowledgeable choice.
10. Algorithm Flowchart Template From Lucidchart
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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 improvement. Job roles that may profit from this template embody programmers, software program engineers, AI/ML engineers, and knowledge analysts.
What I like about this flowchart template: This template affords a transparent visible illustration for a extra technical course of. (Word: Whereas the template is free, superior options of the Lucidchart platform require a paid plan).
11. Google Docs Primary Flowchart Template From Smartsheet
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Among the many main on-line phrase processors, Google Docs is utilized by companies around the globe. It is sensible that customers want to create flowcharts from throughout the platform. This template helps with that. It affords a fundamental flowchart design, editable inside Google Docs.
Who ought to use this flowchart? This template is useful for individuals who need 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 Primary Flowchart Template From Smartsheet
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Microsoft Excel was downloaded 10.5 million occasions on cell units in Q3 of 2024. That’s in simply three months — highlighting the recognition of the spreadsheet device. Smartsheet affords a fundamental flowchart template for Excel that may assist streamline the method of constructing a flowchart throughout 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 reasonably than spending time developing a flowchart design utilizing the “Form” components 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’ll be able to visualize how they would seem when constructing one your self.
Flowchart Examples for Enterprise
1. Primary Course of Flowchart Instance
This template visualizes how a person visiting an organization’s touchdown web page might convert and turn out to be a lead. Discover how there are two potential ultimate outcomes, however due to this chart’s simplicity, I can add as many outcomes as I need. With a flowchart like this, it’s necessary 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 necessary for figuring out which groups must work together with a buyer and when.
And not using a swimlane flowchart outlining these roles, the purchasers’ expertise with the corporate can appear haphazard and poorly deliberate.
3. Job Flowchart Instance
Within the instance above, the totally different shapes symbolize the beginning of, finish of, and actions taken in the course of the means of viewing a touchdown web page. This activity flowchart instance follows an “if this, then that” format. It exhibits the assorted outcomes that might happen when a possible buyer visits a touchdown web page.
4. Complicated Flowchart Instance
The above hiring visible is an instance of a posh flowchart with many occasions and potential outcomes. It affords 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 ultimate outcomes are optimistic or unfavorable.
5. Round Flowchart Instance
Within the instance above, a round flowchart affords a decision-making framework.
Right here, it’s used to assist a social media supervisor work out which website 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 consequence. Within the above instance, it’s for an e 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) e mail nurturing sequence is very a great match for some of these flowcharts. For steady e mail advertising campaigns, I would want a extra agile flowchart the place I can decide when to maneuver a subscriber to a different e mail listing.
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 telephone. Discover that there are various endpoints for the shopper relying on their earlier motion.
A flowchart like that is helpful if I’m making an attempt to stipulate a course of with totally different branches. As an example, I would create a touchdown web page flowchart that determines which kind or CTA is depicted to a buyer based mostly on their earlier exercise on my web site.
8. Organizational Flowchart Instance
Whereas not precisely procedural, this visualization helps these throughout 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’ll be able to delve right 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 have 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 under to ascertain data flows for my tutorial 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.
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Who ought to use this device?
Groups that use flowcharts for all kinds of customers and stakeholders. This device can be useful for groups that create stream charts collaboratively or need to embody a number of flowcharts in a single doc.
What I like: Miro affords instruments to construct and plan complicated flowcharts for groups. Moreover visible whiteboard instruments, Miro additionally affords templates for technique mapping, workflows, UX design, and extra. I personally beloved the digital sticky notice characteristic 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
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Who ought to use this device?
This device is fashionable with customers who need diagramming software program for speedy enterprise software. This flowchart device additionally consists of customizable templates. I used it to create the flowchart under that maps out find out how to organize a dozen crimson roses.
What I like: This open-source know-how is easy 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 affords 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.
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Who ought to use this device?
Informal customers and enterprise corporations on the lookout for web-based flowchart software program.
The free possibility is proscribed to twenty components, so I used to be in a position to whip up a easy flowchart to assist me determine which fashion centerpieces to create for an occasion. I didn’t discover the arrows to be intuitive, but it surely does have icons to select from, which was a enjoyable contact.
What I like: Zen Flowchart is easy to make use of with a variety of options. You may create thoughts maps, wireframes, or whiteboards with this drag-and-drop device. The easy workspace helps restrict distractions so you’ll be able to give attention to your small business 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.
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Who ought to use this device?
Lucidchart affords options for each particular person customers and collaborative skilled groups. There are undoubtedly sufficient choices to do some superior, skilled chart work. I made a decision to construct an org chart for my best floral store:
What I like: Past real-time collaboration and ease of use, this diagram software program additionally has a spread of superior options. You may personalize flowcharts with customized shapes pulling from libraries of shapes and icons.
Automated diagramming will 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 will help combine flowchart collaboration into your present tech stack and workflows.
5. Cacoo
Pricing: Free, with paid choices for prolonged options and enterprises.
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Who ought to use this device?
This cloud-based and user-friendly device is helpful for quite a lot of customers and groups. Cacoo affords a bunch of collaboration instruments — together with video chat — in addition to integrations with Adobe Artistic Cloud and Google Drive. I used it to create this swimlane flowchart of how my best florist store would handle buyer complaints.
What I like: Cacoo is a complete device that makes it simple to personalize flowcharts for a spread of makes use of. Whether or not you are making a advertising flowchart with imported pictures or a wireframe with customized symbols, this device will help.
The central dashboard can be useful for understanding every part your mission wants at a look and differentiates between non-public and shared folders.
Paid Flowchart Templates, Instruments, and Software program
6. Textografo
Pricing: Begins at $4/month.
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Who ought to use this device?
This text-to-diagram generator is a straightforward means for much less visually oriented customers to create flowcharts. It is for customers who perceive the worth of graphical stream diagrams but additionally might not be as fast or snug with visible instruments.
What I like: This flowchart device affords a unique method to flowchart creation that may save many customers effort and time. Textografo will help customers create a flowchart, mindmap, choice bushes, or animated diagrams. Customers also can collaborate on the method with this on-line device.
7. Microsoft Visio
Pricing: Begins at $5/month.
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Who ought to use this device? This feature is nice in case you’re already embedded within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
What I like: This flowchart device will help you create complicated flowcharts or easy diagrams. The interface and styling are acquainted to many enterprise customers, which will help pace up the method of visualizing complicated concepts. It additionally affords themes to enhance the look of your flowcharts.
Visio additionally comes with a whole bunch of templates for a spread of business wants. It additionally makes it easy to import knowledge from Excel, Entry, and different Microsoft sources.
What makes a terrific flowchart template?
There are specific parts that make a flowchart template go from “simply okay” to nice — I’ll cowl them under.
Visible Readability, Hierarchy, and Group
An excellent template follows a logical stream, with the content material introduced in an easy-to-digest means.
Good Design and Aesthetics
A number of elements go into the design of a flowchart template — shade, font, sizing, form, arrows, and spacing, amongst others. All should work collectively cohesively and legibly to make it a terrific template.
Consistency
Ever seen 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 measurement or an irregular shade scheme.
The aim of flowchart design is to offer a seamless expertise for the viewer, making the knowledge 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 method 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 as we speak, listed below are my takeaways:
I can simply say that Cacoo was my favourite. They’ve much more intuitive arrows that hook up with auto-docks across the shapes, retaining strains 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 totally free. Zen Flowchart works effectively, however the free model is actually only for small tasks — 20 components isn’t a lot to work with.
I additionally hope that the templates mentioned earlier on this submit enable you higher illustrate and talk processes in your organization shortly and intuitively — with out having to put money into or be taught new software program.
Editor’s notice: This submit was initially printed in July 2018 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.
