ICT 4.2 - Flowchart and Flowchart Symbols

flowchart

a graphical representation of steps. It shows steps in sequential order and is widely used in presenting the flow of algorithms, workflow or processes.

manual operation

any manual adjustments to the flow

loop limit

beginning or end of a repeated step in the process

Data symbols

clarify where the data your flowchart references is being stored.

Paper tape

data input into an older computer system

Manual input

data manually entered when prompted

Internal storage

data stored locally

Database

data that can be accessed in any order

delay

defines a waiting period that's part of the flow

off-page connector

indicates that a flow continues on a new page

Arrow

is used to guide the viewer along their flowcharting path

merging and connector symbols

make it easier to connect flowcharts that span multiple pages.

Merge

point where separate processes join together

predefined process

pre-existing flow defined elsewhere

terminator

represents the starting or ending point of the system.

Single and multiple document icons

show that there are additional points of reference involved in your flowchart. You might use these to indicate items like "create an invoice" or "review testing paperwork."

Input and output symbols

show where and how data is coming in and out throughout your process.

connector

used to show flow across mutiple charts or pages

Display

Information being shown to a user

Data

It represents information entering or leaving the system. An input might be an order from a customer. Output can be a product to be delivered.

Flow

Lines represent the flow of the sequence and direction of a process.

Process

A box indicates some particular operation.

Decision

A diamond represents a BLANK or branching point. Lines coming out from the diamond indicates different possible situations, leading to different sub-processes.

Input/Output

Data being added or pulled from the flow

Data storage

Data stored in any format

Tape data

Data that must be accessed sequentially

Delay or Bottleneck

Identifies a delay or a bottleneck.

Document

This represents a printout, such as a document or a report.

On-Page Reference

This symbol would contain a letter inside. It indicates that the flow continues on a matching symbol containing the same letter somewhere else on the same page.