Process Flowcharts
Part of the Business Analyst Roadmap
In short
Not every audience knows BPMN, and that's fine. A simple flowchart with boxes, diamonds and arrows can be read by anyone, from the CEO to a new intern, in under a minute.
A simpler, more universally understood alternative to BPMN — using basic shapes (boxes, diamonds, arrows) to represent steps and decisions, readable even by audiences unfamiliar with formal notation.
Think of it like this
The customer care phone menu
'Press 1 for balance. Press 2 for recharge. If you've already paid, press 3.' Every phone menu is a flowchart: a step, a question, a branch. You follow it without thinking because the logic is laid out clearly.
Watch it happen
Flowchart: what happens after an order
1/4An oval marks the start. Keep labels short and action-based.
The big ideas
What you need to know
Few shapes
Oval for start and end, rectangle for a step, diamond for a decision, arrow for direction. That's usually enough.
One direction
Flow top to bottom or left to right. Avoid arrows crossing over each other wherever you can.
Decisions as questions
Write diamonds as questions with clear answers, like 'Stock available?', and label both exits.
For any audience
Use flowcharts for quick explanations and mixed audiences. Use BPMN when teams need precise, standard detail.
Save yourself the pain
Common mistakes
Oops
Leaving a decision with only the 'yes' path drawn.
Do this instead
Draw every exit. The missing 'no' path is usually where the real requirements hide.
Oops
Writing whole sentences inside every box.
Do this instead
Use short verb phrases like 'Send reminder'. Put extra detail in notes beside the diagram.
Your mission
Flowchart a recharge
Quick check
Your flowchart has a diamond 'Payment success?' with only a 'Yes' arrow. What's wrong?
Go deeper
- 1Build a flowchart for a simple process using basic shapes, without formal BPMN notation.
- 2Learn when a simple flowchart is sufficient versus when BPMN's precision is worth the added complexity.
- 3Compare the same process modeled in both formats.
More topics at this stop
Business Process Modeling Basics
BPMN (Business Process Model & Notation)
As-Is vs To-Be Process Mapping
Swimlane Diagrams
Gap Analysis
Process Improvement Techniques (Lean, Six Sigma Overview)
Root Cause Analysis (5 Whys, Fishbone)
Value Stream Mapping
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