Integrating Essential Skills into Training - National Adult Literacy ...

SKILLBUILDER – FLOWCHARTING
A flowchart shows a sequence of steps in a process. It sometimes indicates the amount of time each
step should take. Flowcharts are an easy-to-read format for procedures that have many steps. They give
us a “big picture” view. Usually the flowchart starts at the top of the page and works its way down the
page. Text is short and to the point. Many abbreviations are used. A label or title explains the process
being described.
How to read basic flowcharts
Start / Stop
A circle or rounded off rectange usually means the start or end of a process. The “start”
refers to an action which “kicks off” the process. The “stop” means the final product or
outcome.
Step / Task
A rectangle means a step or a task. Variations in rectangles can mean sub-steps or subprocesses.
( )
Process Flow
Arrows indicate the direction of the process. Only one arrow leads to the next step. Several
arrows can go to the same activity box. The boxes in a flowchart are like nouns and the
arrows are like the verbs directing the action.
Decision Point
This means a question is asked and a decision must be made. There are different processes
depending on the answer. Usually the possible answers are Yes or No.
How can flowcharts be used in a training situation?
• to reinforce or assess a trainee’s understanding by having the trainee flowchart the process or
procedure
• to teach a process or procedure to trainees by presenting the concepts via a flowchart (e.g. how
to make a product, how to operate a machine, what to do if there is an emergency, the steps in
making a sale to a customer, etc.)
• to organize production and assign tasksto show the “big picture” – an entire process at a glance
• to address the use of symbols (rectangles, arrows, etc.)to
teach industry-specific terminology / abbreviations
• to teach reading – flowcharts use few words
• to explain a process to someone with low literacy – use
pictures instead of words
• to teach decision making processes
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