Whether you’re a student, an office worker, or anything in between, flow charts can help you do your job better. They provide a visual map for what to do next and how to complete tasks more efficiently. But if they are not constructed properly from the start, they will become difficult to work with as time goes on. In this post, we’ll show you 10 tips for making sure your flow chart is as efficient as possible from the beginning.
1) Label Your Boxes.
People usually overlook the first thing when constructing their chart is labeling their boxes. Make sure that each box has a proper label describing its contents so that others know what it’s about. There is nothing worse than spending time reading through a complicated chart only to discover that it isn’t what you thought it was.
2) Limit the Number of Boxes.
If possible, try to limit your flow chart to 5 to 6 boxes per row. Any more than that and your chart may be starting to look a little cluttered. If you have an especially complicated process, try breaking it up into more than one flow chart so that each box is easier to digest.
3) Make the Chart Read from Left to Right.
When constructing your chart, always read from left to right so your reader knows what order to follow along with. It’s important to make sure your boxes are arranged in a way that makes sense and flows well. If you don’t do this, it will only frustrate the people trying to read your chart.
4) Arrange Your Boxes from Most Complicated to Least.
This is particularly useful when you have multiple flow charts that all need to be read together. If you organize your boxes in this way, it will make it easier for the reader to get an understanding of your process and see how it all fits together at a glance.
5) Use Arrows Whenever Possible.
Using arrows is another tip for getting your chart read more easily. Vertical arrows can indicate what has to happen first, while horizontal arrows can show how each box relates to the one beside it. Make sure that your flow chart is easy to follow by adding in as many arrows as you need!
6) Keep Arrows Short.
Your arrows should be clear and straightforward so the reader knows exactly what’s happening next in each box. Don’t use too many lines, or your arrow may become difficult to follow. Keep it simple and try not to make the reader jump around too much.
7) Remove Unnecessary Diagram Elements.
When people are first starting out with flow charts, they often include every single step of their process without thinking about it. This can make a chart incredibly difficult to put together and read. If you want your chart to be both effective and efficient, don’t clutter it up by including things that your reader doesn’t need to know about!
8) Make the Most Important Boxes Larger.
In order to get your reader’s attention, make sure that your most important boxes or processes are bigger than the rest. You can also try adding in an indicator that these parts of your chart are more important than the others, such as using different shapes for each box.
9) Use Shading to Separate Different Sections.
If you have sections on your flow chart that don’t fit together, try shading in the different parts to make them stand out. This way, the reader will know exactly where each section begins and ends. Adding in a border can also be a good idea for dividing up your chart into separate modules.
10) Use Color to Highlight Important Information.
Including colored boxes is another great way to catch your reader’s attention and highlight important information. You can use color to separate the different steps in each process, or you can brand certain parts of your chart with a specific color so that everyone knows what they mean.
One great way to make flow charts is to use Venngage — a free infographic maker and an online flow chart maker that provides a wide range of free flow chart templates. To give you an idea, here are some process flow chart examples from their website!
Venngage
Venngage
Venngage
These are just a few things to keep in mind when constructing flow charts for other people to read. If you’re still working on mastering the art of flow charting, practicing is really the best way to get it right. A simple chart might look great by itself, but the real test comes when you see how it works in practice. Start your own flow chart by clicking here!