Flowchart
A flowchart is a diagram that represents a process, workflow, or algorithm using shapes (nodes) connected by arrows (edges) to show the order of steps.
In depth
A flowchart is the canonical visual format for documenting how something gets done. The standard shape vocabulary — terminal (oval) for start/end, process (rectangle) for actions, decision (diamond) for branches, and data (parallelogram) for input/output — has been used since the 1940s and remains the lingua franca for explaining processes to humans.
In modern software, flowcharts are usually rendered with a JavaScript library like React Flow or D3, but the underlying model is the same: a directed graph of nodes and edges with optional swimlanes, group containers, and labels on the connections.
AI-native tools like OpenCharts can generate complete flowcharts from a PDF, prompt, or whiteboard sketch — turning unstructured documentation into editable, shareable, version-controlled diagrams in seconds.
Examples
- Customer onboarding for a B2B SaaS
- Loan approval decision tree
- Software deployment pipeline
- Manufacturing quality control checklist
Also known as
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Process map
A process map is a visual representation of a workflow that documents the sequence of steps, decision points, and handoffs needed to complete a business outcome.
Decision tree
A decision tree is a tree-shaped diagram that maps a sequence of choices and their possible outcomes, used for decision support, classification, and policy documentation.
Swimlane diagram
A swimlane diagram is a flowchart that organizes activities into horizontal or vertical lanes, with each lane representing a different actor, role, or department responsible for those activities.
BPMN
BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) is a standardized graphical language for modeling business processes using pools, lanes, gateways, activities, and events.