Flowcharts are something that needs to be learnt by every software designer. However, the symbols of this system is ever increasing and changing. Hence, here’s a list of the same for your information.
Symbols Definitions
Operation – An operation occurs when an object (i.e. product, document, etc.) is intentionally changed in any of its physical or chemical characteristics, assembled or disassembled from another object, or staged for another operation, transportation, inspection or storage. Operations also occur when information is transmitted or received or when planning or calculations take place.
Manual Operation - Is sometimes used to denote operations that are done manually.
Inspection, Verification or Measurement – An inspection, verification or measurement happens when an object is examined for identification or is verified for quality or quantity in any of its characteristics. The symbol also indicates that a decision must be made.
Decision Making/Approval – The diamond, typically used for document or software processes, also represents a decision or an approval point. Typically, if yes, the task sequence flows to the right, if no, it flows to the left. Descriptions for the operation are sometimes simply Approved? or O.K.?
Delay - A delay is typically shown as a half circle or a capital D. A delay occurs to an object when conditions, except where intentional changes to the physical or chemical characteristics of the object do not require immediate performance of the next planned step.
Storage – A storage occurs when an object is kept and protected from unauthorized removal. The symbol on the left typically indicates inbound goods. When the triangle is inverted, it typically represents storage or filing.
Transportation – A transportation occurs when an object is moved from one place to another with the exception where such movements are a part of the operation or are caused by the operator at the work station during an operation and/or inspection / verification / approval.
Operation & Inspection (a.k.a. Combined Activity) – When two activities are performed at the same work station or concurrently, the symbols can be combined. The combined operation and inspection tasks are typically “combined”.
Connector – This symbol shows continuation of the flow chart from one page to another or from a decision diamond to another page or process. When you reach the bottom of the page or need to jump to another page, draw a flow chart connector symbol and connect it to the last item on the chart. Label the inside of the symbol with a letter, typically beginning with an “A” and page number where the process continues. I.E. The label points to point A on Page 2. When the process continues to another page, draw another flow chart connector symbol at an appropriate location. Label the symbol with the same letter and the page number where it continues. On page 2 in this example, the label would be to indicate the process was continued at point A.
An alternate symbol also used is in more complex flowcharts is the Off Page Connector where the numbering convention is like that of the connector described above, however, the Connectors are assigned node numbers (i.e. node A1 is where one segment of a flow stops and another node A1 would be where another flow shown at a different location on the flowchart starts). The Off Page Connector is then used to show that the flow is on a different page.
| Symbols |
Definitions |
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Operation – An operation occurs when an object (i.e. product, document, etc.) is intentionally changed in any of its physical or chemical characteristics, assembled or disassembled from another object, or staged for another operation, transportation, inspection or storage. Operations also occur when information is transmitted or received or when planning or calculations take place. |
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Manual Operation - Is sometimes used to denote operations that are done manually. |
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Inspection, Verification or Measurement – An inspection, verification or measurement happens when an object is examined for identification or is verified for quality or quantity in any of its characteristics. The symbol also indicates that a decision must be made. |
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Decision Making/Approval – The diamond, typically used for document or software processes, also represents a decision or an approval point. Typically, if yes, the task sequence flows to the right, if no, it flows to the left. Descriptions for the operation are sometimes simply Approved? or O.K.? |
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Delay - A delay is typically shown as a half circle or a capital D. A delay occurs to an object when conditions, except where intentional changes to the physical or chemical characteristics of the object do not require immediate performance of the next planned step. |
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Storage – A storage occurs when an object is kept and protected from unauthorized removal. The symbol on the left typically indicates inbound goods. When the triangle is inverted, it typically represents storage or filing. |
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Transportation - A transportation occurs when an object is moved from one place to another with the exception where such movements are a part of the operation or are caused by the operator at the work station during an operation and/or inspection / verification / approval. |
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Operation & Inspection (a.k.a. Combined Activity) – When two activities are performed at the same work station or concurrently, the symbols can be combined. The combined operation and inspection tasks are typically “combined”. |
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Connector – This symbol shows continuation of the flow chart from one page to another or from a decision diamond to another page or process. When you reach the bottom of the page or need to jump to another page, draw a flow chart connector symbol and connect it to the last item on the chart. Label the inside of the symbol with a letter, typically beginning with an “A” and page number where the process continues. I.E. The label  points to point A on Page 2. When the process continues to another page, draw another flow chart connector symbol at an appropriate location. Label the symbol with the same letter and the page number where it continues. On page 2 in this example, the label  would be to indicate the process was continued at point A on page 1. Click here for additional details on the use of a connector.An alternate symbol also used is in more complex flowcharts is the Off Page Connector where the numbering convention is like that of the connector described above, however, the Connectors are assigned node numbers (i.e. node A1 is where one segment of a flow stops and another node A1 would be where another flow shown at a different location on the flowchart starts). The Off Page Connector is then used to show that the flow is on a different page. |
