Mermaid syntax

Flowchart

Syntax

A flowchart is a type of diagram that represents a workflow or process, showing the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting them with arrows. We call the boxes nodes and the arrows edges. This representation can give a step-by-step solution to a given problem. Data is represented in the nodes, and the flow of data is represented by the edges connecting these boxes.

  
    graph LR
    A[Start] --> B[Is it raining?]
    B -- Yes --> C[Take umbrella]
    B -- No --> D[Go outside without umbrella]
    C --> E[Reach destination]
    D --> E[Reach destination]

graph LR A[Start] --> B[Is it raining?] B -- Yes --> C[Take umbrella] B -- No --> D[Go outside without umbrella] C --> E[Reach destination] D --> E[Reach destination]

An example of what a flowchart looks like

Flowcharts are used in analyzing, designing, documenting, or managing a process or program in various fields. They are particularly useful for visualizing complex processes, breaking them down into sequential, interconnected steps.

Lets look more closely at why you would use flowcharts in your documentation.

Why would you use flowcharts

Flowcharts are a great tool that can simplify problem solving, simplify and visualize complex processes, improve communication, provide valuable documentation and increase efficiency. They are widely used in many fields and can be a valuable addition to any team or organization’s toolkit.

Lets start with looking at how to easy complexity with flowcharts.

Simplifying Complexity

Complex processes or projects can be difficult to understand and manage. Flowcharts can help by providing a visual representation of the process, breaking it down into sequential steps. This can make it easier to understand the overall process, as well as the relationships and dependencies between different steps. It can also help identify areas of the process that may be overly complicated and could be simplified.

The following example show a flowchart that represents a complex process that has been broken down into into sequential steps.

  
    flowchart LR
    E --> F["`Are all tasks completed on time?`"]
    F --Yes--> G[Execute event]
    F -->No--> H["`Reassign tasks or adjust timeline`"]
    H --> E

flowchart LR E --> F["`Are all tasks completed on time?`"] F --Yes--> G[Execute event] F -->No--> H["`Reassign tasks or adjust timeline`"] H --> E G --> I("`**End:** Event successfully executed`")

In the example, the flowchart starts with the task “Plan a large event.” The process is then broken down into smaller steps. If all tasks are completed on time, the event is executed. If not, tasks are reassigned or the timeline is adjusted while progress continues to be monitored. This systematic approach helps manage the complexity of the process, ensuring that all tasks handled.

This method is also vital in problem solving and is one of the reasons why flowcharts is a great tool to use with diffucult problems. Let’s talk more about that.

Problem Solving

Flowcharts are excellent tools for breaking down a problem into smaller, more manageable parts. With flowcharts each step in a process or problem can be defined and represented, making it easier to understand the problem and see potential solutions. This visual representation can help teams or individuals to see the problem from different angles and think through the implications of different solutions.

In the following flowchart, you can see how the complex problem of a car not starting is systematically broken down into smaller, more manageable parts. The flowchart guides the user through a series of diagnostic questions, each representing a potential cause of the problem. Depending on the answers to these questions, appropriate solutions are suggested. If none of these solutions apply, the flowchart recommends consulting a professional. This approach demonstrates how flowcharts can simplify problem-solving by providing a structured and efficient method to identify and address issues.

  
    flowchart LR
    A[Start: Problem - Car won't start] --> B{Is the battery dead?}
    B -- Yes --> C[Replace battery]
    B -- No --> D{Is the fuel tank empty?}
    D -- Yes --> E[Refill fuel tank]
    D -- No --> F{Is the engine oil level low?}
    F -- Yes --> G[Refill engine oil]
    F -- No --> H[Consult a mechanic]
    C --> I[End: Problem Solved]
    E --> I
    G --> I
    H --> I

flowchart LR A[Start: Problem - Car won't start] --> B{Is the battery dead?} B -- Yes --> C[Replace battery] B -- No --> D{Is the fuel tank empty?} D -- Yes --> E[Refill fuel tank] D -- No --> F{Is the engine oil level low?} F -- Yes --> G[Refill engine oil] F -- No --> H[Consult a mechanic] C --> I[End: Problem Solved] E --> I G --> I H --> I

Next up is communication and we will go over how flowcharts can be used for improving communication.

Communication

Flowcharts can boost communication within a team or organization. They provide a common language and reference point for discussing a process or a problem. For instance, by visualizing a process, everyone involved can have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities, as well as how their work fits into the whole. This can help to align team members and reduce misunderstandings or confusion.

Documentation: Flowcharts serve as a form of documentation, providing a historical record of how a process was handled. This can be useful for a variety of reasons, such as training new team members, reviewing past decisions, or ensuring compliance with regulations. By referring to the flowchart, individuals can understand not only what was done, but why it was done that way.

Efficiency

Flowcharts can help to identify inefficiencies in a process. By studying the flowchart, you may be able to spot bottlenecks where work is getting backed up, or steps that are unnecessary or overly complicated. This can lead to improvements in the process, making it more efficient and effective.

In the following example, you can see how a flowchart is used to visualize a delivery process, from order receipt to delivery. Each step in the process is represented, along with the queue time associated with it. This clear visualization allows for easy identification of steps that may be causing delays or inefficiencies. For instance, if the queue time for a particular step is significantly longer than others, it may indicate a bottleneck that needs to be addressed. By studying this flowchart, one can strategize ways to streamline the process, reduce queue times, and ultimately improve efficiency.

  
    flowchart LR
    A(Order Received) --> B[Order Processing]
    B -->|Queue time: 2 hrs| C[Packaging]
    C -->|Queue time: 1 hr| D[Shipping]
    D -->|Queue time: 4 hrs| E[Delivery]
    E -->|Queue time: 24 hrs| F(Order Delivered)
    B --> G[Manual administration]--Queue time: 24 hrs--> E