Flowcharts help visualize processes, systems, and decision paths. Whether you are mapping a business operation, designing program logic, or organizing a routine task, the right diagram can make steps, responsibilities, handoffs, and review points easier to understand.
In this guide, you’ll explore 21 flowchart and related process-diagram types, when to use each one, and ready-to-use templates. You’ll also learn how to choose a format based on the process, audience, level of detail, and need to show decisions, roles, systems, or data.
Flowchart Variants and Related Process Diagrams
This practical list mixes true flowchart variants, domain applications, and adjacent formal notations. Data flow diagrams, EPC, SDL, BPMN, UML use case or activity diagrams, and engineering process-flow diagrams have their own semantics and should not be treated as interchangeable flowchart types. Likewise, swimlane and cross-functional flowcharts overlap, while process flowcharts, workflow diagrams, business-process flowcharts, and process maps differ mainly by scope and emphasis.
| Modeling question | Prefer |
|---|---|
| What is the sequence and where do decisions branch? | General or decision flowchart |
| Who owns each step and handoff? | Swimlane/cross-functional flowchart |
| How does data move and transform? | Data flow diagram |
| How does software behavior execute? | Program flowchart or UML activity diagram, depending on required semantics |
| How do participants exchange messages over time? | UML sequence diagram |
| How do physical materials and equipment connect? | Engineering process flow diagram or P&ID, depending on detail |
| How does a customer move through an experience? | User flow, customer journey, or service blueprint |
| How is a formal business process modeled? | BPMN when its defined semantics are required |
Domain labels such as ecommerce, website, production, and product flow describe applications rather than distinct notations. Choose the notation first, then adapt the content to the domain.
Flowcharts come in different types, each designed for a specific purpose. Some help map out step-by-step processes, while others focus on decisions, data flow, or teamwork. Choosing the right types of flowcharts makes it easier to understand and improve a system.
In this section, we’ll break down the key types of flowcharts, explain what they’re best for, and give examples of when to use them. Some entries are direct flowchart variations, while others—such as data flow diagrams, EPC diagrams, SDL diagrams, process maps, and process flow diagrams—use their own conventions but are commonly considered alongside flowcharts. Choose a diagram based on what readers need to understand: sequence, decisions, ownership and handoffs, data movement, system behavior, or industrial equipment and material flows.
1. Process Flowchart
Best for: Process flowcharts are great for breaking down complex workflows into simple steps.
A process flowchart is a visual representation of a series of steps in a process. It shows how tasks, decisions, and actions flow from one stage to the next, using symbols like arrows, rectangles, and diamonds. By mapping out each step, a process flowchart makes it easier to understand how a system works, identify bottlenecks, and improve efficiency. It is widely used across industries to document, analyze, and optimize workflows.
When to use them
- Business operations – To map out how orders are processed, from purchase to delivery.
- Manufacturing – To show how raw materials turn into finished products.
- Customer service – To outline how customer inquiries are handled from start to resolution.
- Healthcare – To track patient care from check-in to treatment.
2. Swimlane Flowchart
Best for: Swimlane flowcharts are great for visualizing processes that involve multiple teams or roles.
A swimlane diagram is a type of flowchart that organizes process steps into separate lanes based on roles, departments, or teams. Each “swimlane” represents a specific group responsible for certain tasks, making it clear who does what in a process. This structured layout helps improve coordination and accountability, especially in complex workflows involving multiple people or departments.
When to use them
- Business processes – To map out approval workflows, such as processing invoices or employee onboarding.
- Project management – Create a swimlane diagram to track tasks assigned to different team members in a project.
- Healthcare – To show how doctors, nurses, and administrative staff handle patient care.
- Customer service – To outline how support requests move between teams like sales, technical support, and billing.
3. Workflow Diagram
Best for: Workflow diagrams are best for mapping out structured processes, automating repetitive tasks, and improving team collaboration.
A workflow diagram is a visual representation of a process that shows the sequence of tasks, decisions, and interactions needed to complete a workflow. It helps illustrate how work moves through different steps, who is responsible for each task, and how information flows between people, teams, or systems. By clearly outlining a process, workflow diagrams help improve efficiency and reduce errors.
When to use them
- Business operations – To document internal workflows like expense approvals or hiring processes.
- Software development – To visualize how user requests move through different stages of a system.
- Manufacturing – To show how raw materials move through production steps.
- Healthcare – To track patient workflows, from scheduling to treatment and follow-ups.
4. Data Flow Diagram
Best for: Data flow diagrams are best for understanding how data is used within a system.
A data flow diagram (DFD) is a related diagram type—not a conventional process flowchart—that shows how data moves through a system. It represents external entities, processes, data stores, and data flows rather than task sequence or control flow. DFDs help business analysts, software developers, and IT teams understand information movement, define system boundaries, and examine how data is transformed or stored.
When to use them
- Software development – Create a data flow diagram to plan how user data moves through an application or website.
- Business processes – To analyze how customer information flows through sales, billing, and support systems.
- System design – To visualize how databases, servers, and applications exchange data.
- Healthcare – To track how patient records are created, stored, and shared between departments.
5. EPC Diagram
Best for: EPC diagrams are best for analyzing and optimizing business processes. They help businesses identify inefficiencies, standardize workflows, and improve decision-making.
An event-driven process chain (EPC) is a business-process modeling notation related to flowcharting. It represents alternating events and functions, with logical connectors for branching and joining paths. EPC diagrams are commonly used to document and analyze enterprise processes, including workflows associated with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
When to use them
- Business process modeling – To map out workflows like order processing or supply chain management.
- Enterprise resource planning (ERP) – To document how different departments interact within an ERP system.
- Compliance and auditing – To ensure processes meet regulatory requirements by providing a clear workflow overview.
- Process automation – To identify areas where manual tasks can be automated for greater efficiency.
6. SDL Diagram
Best for: SDL diagrams are best for designing, analyzing, and documenting systems that require precise communication between components.
A Specification and Description Language (SDL) diagram is a formal modeling diagram related to flowcharting and used for reactive, real-time, and communicating systems. It can represent processes, states, transitions, signals, and interactions between system components. SDL is particularly relevant to telecommunications, software, and embedded-system design, where teams need to describe behavior precisely rather than only show a general sequence of tasks.
When to use them
- Telecommunications – To model how signals and messages are transmitted in communication networks.
- Software development – To design and test real-time applications, such as messaging systems and network protocols.
- Embedded systems – To visualize how software interacts with hardware in devices like smart appliances or automotive control systems.
- System troubleshooting – To analyze and debug complex system interactions by mapping out data flow and state transitions.
7. Process Map
Best for: Process maps are best for complex process documentation and analyzing the detailed flow of work.
A process map is a broader form of process documentation that can use flowchart symbols while also showing details such as roles, handoffs, inputs, outputs, and controls. It may be more detailed than a basic flowchart. Process mapping helps teams understand how work operates, clarify responsibilities, and identify opportunities for process improvement.
When to use them
- Business operations – To map out the steps in a process like order fulfillment, employee onboarding, or procurement.
- Manufacturing – To visualize production processes, such as assembling products or managing inventory.
- Healthcare – To map out clinical workflows, including patient intake, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Quality control – To ensure that every step of a process meets quality standards by documenting and analyzing each stage.
8. Process Flow Diagram
Best for: A PFD is best for visualizing and documenting high-level process flows, identifying key equipment and systems, and understanding the overall operation of an industrial process.
A process flow diagram (PFD) is an engineering diagram related to flowcharting that shows the major equipment and the flow of materials or energy through an industrial process. Used particularly in chemical and process engineering, it provides a high-level process overview rather than the detailed piping and instrumentation shown in a P&ID.
When to use them
- Manufacturing – To visualize the steps involved in producing goods and managing material flows in a plant.
- Chemical engineering – To show how raw materials are converted into products, including major equipment like reactors and separators.
- Oil and gas – To depict the flow of crude oil or natural gas through processing plants, pipelines, and refineries.
- Energy production – To illustrate the flow of energy within power plants, from generation to distribution.
9. Decision Flowchart
Best for: Decision flowcharts are best for outlining processes that involve multiple decision points.
A decision flowchart is a type of flowchart that focuses on decision points within a process. It uses decision nodes, typically represented by diamond shapes, to show where choices must be made. These charts visually map out the possible outcomes or actions that can follow each decision, helping guide users through complex decision-making processes. Decision flowcharts are commonly used in areas like problem-solving, troubleshooting, and process optimization.
When to use them
- Business processes – To guide decision-making in processes like hiring, approvals, or risk assessments.
- Customer service – To help representatives decide the next steps based on customer queries or issues.
- Software development – To model logic for features that involve user inputs or system responses, such as in troubleshooting tools.
- Healthcare – To assist doctors or healthcare professionals in diagnosing conditions or choosing treatment paths based on patient symptoms.
10. Use Case Flowchart
Best for: Use case flowcharts are best for visualizing how users engage with a system and identifying the key actions, decisions, and outcomes in a process.
A use case flowchart shows the sequence of user actions and system responses for achieving a specific goal. It is useful in software development and business analysis for exploring scenarios and alternate paths. It should not be confused with a UML use case diagram, which summarizes actors and use cases rather than presenting a step-by-step interaction flow.
When to use them
- Software development – To define and map out how users will interact with a system, such as logging in, making purchases, or generating reports.
- Business processes – To model customer interactions with a service or product, such as purchasing an item or accessing support.
- User experience (UX) design – To visualize how users will navigate a website or application to complete specific tasks.
- System design – To ensure that all user requirements are captured and addressed in a system or software solution.
11. System Flowchart
Best for: System flowcharts are best for understanding and documenting the structure and functioning of complex systems.
A system flowchart shows system components and the movement of data or control between them. It can include hardware, software, files, databases, inputs, outputs, and processing steps. System architects, developers, and engineers use these diagrams to document system logic, examine dependencies, and support design or troubleshooting.
When to use them
- Software development – To depict how different software components communicate with each other or external systems.
- IT infrastructure – To show how servers, databases, and networks are connected and share information.
- Embedded systems – To visualize how software and hardware components in devices (like appliances or automotive systems) interact.
- System troubleshooting – To identify potential issues within the system’s design by showing how various elements are connected.
12. Document Flowchart
Best for: Document flowcharts are best for understanding how information flows through an organization, especially when dealing with large volumes of documents.
A document flowchart is a type of diagram that illustrates the flow of documents or information through a process. It shows how documents are created, stored, reviewed, approved, and distributed within a system or workflow. These flowcharts are often used in environments where managing paperwork, records, or digital files is crucial, helping to visualize and streamline document handling. They help identify bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and ensure that documents are handled properly at each stage. They are commonly used in industries like legal, healthcare, and finance, where proper documentation is essential.
When to use them
- Business operations – To track the movement of contracts, invoices, or purchase orders through approval and filing processes.
- Legal and compliance – To visualize how legal documents or case files are managed through review, approval, and storage.
- Healthcare – To show how patient records are created, shared, and updated between departments or providers.
- Finance and accounting – To manage the flow of financial documents, such as expense reports or tax filings.
13. Cross-Functional Flowchart
Best for: Cross-functional flowcharts are best for processes that involve multiple departments or teams.
A cross-functional flowchart, also known as a “deployment flowchart,” is a type of diagram that maps out a process while showing how different departments, teams, or roles interact with each other. It divides the flowchart into “lanes,” where each lane represents a specific function or group responsible for particular tasks in the process. This structure helps visualize how responsibilities are distributed across different groups and how work transitions between them.
When to use them
- Business operations – To map out processes like product development, order fulfillment, or customer service workflows that involve multiple departments.
- Project management – To show how tasks are handled by different teams at various stages of a project.
- Manufacturing – To illustrate how production tasks are divided across departments like assembly, quality control, and shipping.
- Healthcare – To track patient care activities involving various departments such as emergency services, lab work, and surgery.
14. Linear Flowchart
Best for: Linear flowcharts are best for straightforward processes where tasks or steps must be performed in a specific, sequential order.
A linear flowchart is a simple type of flowchart that shows a process or sequence of steps in a straight line, from start to finish. It follows a clear, step-by-step path with minimal branches or decisions, making it easy to understand. This type of flowchart is ideal for processes that follow a set order without much deviation or complex decision-making.
When to use them
- Business operations – To outline simple processes like onboarding new employees or handling routine customer service inquiries.
- Manufacturing – To map out linear production processes, such as assembling a product or packaging goods.
- Software development – To represent simple steps in a program’s workflow, such as user login or data entry.
- Educational guides – To create step-by-step instructions or tutorials that follow a clear, linear sequence.
15. User Flow Flowchart
Best for: User flow flowcharts are best for designing and optimizing user interfaces by visualizing how users move through different stages of interaction.
A user flow flowchart or UX flowchart is a visual representation of how users interact with a product, such as a website or mobile app, through various steps. It maps out the user journey, showing the different screens, actions, and decisions a user makes while navigating the system. User flow flowcharts are used to understand and design the user experience, ensuring that interactions are smooth, intuitive, and meet the user’s needs.
When to use them
- Website design – To map out how users will navigate through the site, from the homepage to key sections like product pages or contact forms.
- App design – To design the flow of interactions within an app, ensuring users can complete tasks like signing up, purchasing, or accessing features without confusion.
- User testing – To visualize user paths and identify where users may get stuck or abandon tasks, enabling designers to refine the experience.
- Prototyping – To plan out and iterate user flows before building the actual interface or features, ensuring the design is user-friendly.
16. Production Flowchart
Best for: Production flowcharts are best for visualizing the entire production process in a clear, organized manner.
A production flowchart is a type of flowchart used to visualize the steps involved in the manufacturing or production process. It maps out the sequence of operations, from raw materials entering the system to the final product being completed. This type of flowchart helps identify inefficiencies, streamline workflows, and ensure that production processes are consistent and optimized. These flowcharts are especially valuable in industries like manufacturing, food production, and assembly.
When to use them
- Manufacturing – To map out the steps involved in producing goods, such as assembly lines or fabrication processes.
- Quality control – To identify areas where quality checks should be applied throughout the production cycle.
- Process optimization – To identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies in the production process and develop strategies for improvement.
- Supply chain management – To track the flow of materials and products from suppliers to the production floor and eventually to customers.
17. Yes No Flowchart
Best for: Quickly visualizing decision-making processes, troubleshooting problems, and ensuring consistency in workflows.
A yes/no flowchart is a simple decision-making tool that guides users through a series of yes-or-no questions to determine an outcome. It starts with a question or condition, and based on the answer (yes or no), it directs the user to the next step in the process. These flowcharts are structured with decision nodes that branch into two paths, making them easy to follow. They are widely used for troubleshooting, diagnosing issues, and ensuring consistent decision-making.
When to use them
- Customer support: To determine the next steps based on a customer’s issue.
- Troubleshooting: To diagnose technical problems, like fixing a computer or a machine.
- Compliance checks: To guide employees through safety or legal procedures.
18. Business Process Flowchart
Best for: Standardizing business operations, improving efficiency, and identifying bottlenecks in workflows.
A business process flowchart is a step-by-step diagram that illustrates how tasks, workflows, or operations are completed within an organization. It helps visualize how different roles, teams, and departments interact throughout a process. By mapping out the workflow, businesses can standardize procedures, improve efficiency, and identify areas for optimization. Business process mapping often uses standardized symbols, such as rectangles for tasks, diamonds for decisions, and arrows for direction.
When to use them
- Employee onboarding: To outline the steps for hiring and training new employees.
- Invoice processing: To ensure smooth approvals and payments.
- Project management: To visualize workflows and streamline team collaboration.
19. Product Flowchart
Best for: Managing product development, optimizing production efficiency, and tracking supply chain processes.
A product flowchart is a diagram that maps out the stages of a product’s lifecycle, from design to production and delivery. It outlines key steps such as raw material sourcing, manufacturing, quality control, packaging, and distribution. These flowcharts are used in industries such as manufacturing, retail, and product development to optimize processes and identify inefficiencies. They provide a clear picture of how a product moves through different stages, helping businesses improve production efficiency and quality.
When to use them
- Manufacturing: To map out production from raw materials to finished products.
- Product design: To show stages from concept to development.
- Quality control: To ensure product testing and approvals follow the correct steps.
20. Website Flowchart
Best for: Planning website design, improving user experience, and ensuring a logical navigation structure.
A website flowchart is a visual representation of a website’s structure, showing how pages are connected and how users navigate through the site. It typically includes main pages, subpages, and interactive elements such as menus and links. Website flowcharts are essential for planning site architecture, improving user experience, and ensuring intuitive navigation. They help developers, designers, and marketers align their goals and create a seamless user journey.
When to use them
- Website development: To organize pages and features before building the site.
- User experience (UX) design: To optimize site navigation and usability.
- SEO strategy: To create an intuitive structure for search engines and visitors.
21. E-Commerce Flowchart
Best for: Improving online shopping experiences, streamlining e-commerce operations, and reducing cart abandonment.
An e-commerce flowchart is a diagram that maps out the key processes involved in running an online store. It outlines steps such as product selection, checkout, payment processing, order fulfillment, and customer support. These flowcharts help businesses streamline their online operations by ensuring a smooth shopping experience, reducing friction in the checkout process, and improving backend workflows. By visualizing these steps, businesses can identify areas for improvement and enhance customer satisfaction.
When to use them
- Checkout process: To visualize the steps from adding items to completing a purchase.
- Order fulfillment: To ensure smooth inventory management and shipping.
- Customer support: To guide users through returns, refunds, or order tracking.
Simplify Drawing Flowcharts with Creately
Creately’s flowchart software supports different diagram types in a shared visual workspace. Teams can start with the notation and template that fit the problem, then keep ownership, supporting context, feedback, and updates connected to the diagram as the process evolves.
1. Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
Creately provides drag-and-drop shapes, Quick Create, smart connectors, and layout assistance for building and reorganizing flowcharts. Basic flowcharts do not require specialist modeling knowledge, while formal notations still require users to understand and validate the relevant conventions.
2. Extensive library of templates
Use flowchart templates as editable starting points for business processes, software flows, decisions, and other use cases. Replace the sample content and validate the notation, logic, and labels before using a template as process documentation.
3. Industry-standard shape libraries
Creately provides purpose-specific shape libraries for flowcharts and related diagram types, including data flow diagrams, process flow diagrams, and swimlane flowcharts. Choosing the appropriate library helps teams apply recognizable symbols, but the modeler remains responsible for using the notation correctly.
4. Real-time collaboration
Multiple team members can edit a flowchart together in real time. Comments and @mentions let stakeholders discuss specific parts of the diagram, while accountable owners can incorporate agreed changes and keep the flowchart current.
5. AI-powered features
Creately’s AI flowchart generator turns a natural-language prompt into an editable flowchart. Use it to create a structured first draft, then review the logic, add owners and supporting details, and refine the diagram with collaborators.
6. Presentation mode
Creately’s presentation mode allows you to present your flowchart directly from the tool, making it ideal for meetings, reviews, or sharing your flowchart with stakeholders. You can zoom in on specific areas and present your work without needing to export it to another tool.
7. Comprehensive symbol support
Creately includes a library of flowchart symbols for representing starts and ends, actions, decisions, data, documents, and flow direction. Use symbols consistently and add a legend when the audience may not recognize specialized notation.
8. Documentation features
Creately supports notes and structured data fields for keeping descriptions, owners, status information, links, files, and instructions connected to relevant process steps. Contextual comments keep feedback beside the diagram, and linked subprocesses can provide more detail without overcrowding the main flow. Finished diagrams can be exported as PDF, PNG, or SVG when a static format is needed.
9. Integration with popular platforms
Creately provides sharing, embedding, export, and supported integration options for using flowcharts in a broader workflow. Integration and plan availability can change, so teams should confirm current support for the specific app and workflow they intend to use.
Conclusion: Types of Flowcharts
Choose a flowchart or related diagram based on what the audience must understand. Use a basic or linear flowchart for sequence, a decision flowchart for branching logic, a swimlane or cross-functional flowchart for roles and handoffs, a DFD for information movement, and a PFD for major industrial equipment and flows.
A diagram becomes more valuable when it remains accurate after publication. Identify an owner, connect essential supporting context, invite the relevant stakeholders to comment on changes, and update the flowchart when the underlying process changes. This turns a one-time visual into useful, living process documentation.
Helpful Resources
Design clear system flowcharts to map data flow, system components, and workflows for better planning, troubleshooting, and documentation.
Create cross-functional flowcharts with swimlanes to show roles, responsibilities, and handoffs clearly across teams and departments.
Plan your website structure with visual sitemap-style flowcharts to organize pages, improve navigation, and streamline web development.
Build process flowcharts to document workflows, improve efficiency, and standardize steps for smoother business operations.
References
Kimber, O., Cromley, J.G. and Molnar-Kimber, K.L. (2018). Let your ideas flow: Using flowcharts to convey methods and implications of the results in laboratory exercises, articles, posters, and slide presentations. Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, [online] 19(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.v19i1.1477.
Nabeel Allawi (2020). What is the FlowChart. [online] ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342572223_What_is_the_FlowChart.
Ensmenger, N. (2016). The Multiple Meanings of a Flowchart. Information & Culture, [online] 51(3), pp.321–351. doi:https://doi.org/10.2307/44667617.
FAQs About Types of Flowcharts
What is a flowchart and why should I use one?
How do I know which type of flowchart to use?
What are the benefits of using flowcharts?
What is the difference between BPMN and flowchart?
What is the difference between a process flowchart and a workflow diagram?
