steps in making a research paper by using a flow chart

Research Process

• Getting Started
• Explore: Choose and Develop a Topic
• Refine: Develop a Scholarly Argument
• Search: Identify and Locate Information (OneSearch box)
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• Research Process Tutorial This tutorial explains finding and refining a topic, finding and evaluating information, and preparing your argument.

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Research Process Flow Chart

• Research Alignment Chapter 1 This link opens in a new window
• Step 1: Seek Out Evidence
• Step 2: Explain
• Step 3: The Big Picture
• Step 4: Own It
• Step 5: Illustrate
• Annotated Bibliography
• Literature Review This link opens in a new window
• Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
• How to Synthesize and Analyze
• Synthesis and Analysis Practice
• Synthesis and Analysis Group Sessions
• Problem Statement
• Purpose Statement
• Conceptual Framework
• Theoretical Framework
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• Quantitative Research Questions
• Qualitative Research Questions
• Trustworthiness of Qualitative Data
• Analysis and Coding Example- Qualitative Data
• Thematic Data Analysis in Qualitative Design
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Locating Information for Supporting Your Research

The Library team created the diagram below and provide additional resources to assist you in locating the information to support your research topic. 

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Research Flowchart

Ai generator.

Flowcharts used to be the most popular method to represent computer algorithms before computer terminals and third-generation programming languages started to take over in the late 1970s. According to the New World Encyclopedia, these programming languages express computer algorithms in a more concise and readable way. Despite technological advances, though, many still use flowcharts for various projects, such as clinical research project plans , etc.

What Is Research Flowchart?

A flowchart, in general, is a sequential graphical representation of the processes involved in solving a problem. This diagram contains connecting lines or arrows and boxes that represent a process workflow. Through this diagram, you can quickly analyze, design, and document a process or program, which makes it an essential part of research projects in various fields such as qualitative researches and case studies. This chart also helps your audience to effectively understand research proposals, data collection, research design, literature review, abstract, research questionnaires, and other sections of a research paper, since it can provide an overview of each part more quickly.

Different Types of Flowcharts

As a researcher, there are many types of flowchart that you can create to organize your research project . Provided below are the most common diagrams you can use.

Basic Flowchart

This type of flowchart represents a systematic step-by-step process that leads to certain conclusions. It contains different shapes and arrows which show the sequence and direction of a process. Moreover, you can use it to execute a more effective study analyzation, design, documentation , and process management.

Swimlane Flowchart

Unlike the basic flowchart, the swimlane flowchart shows the connection of different objects in the chart. An excellent example of this flowchart is an organizational chart. This type of chart usually highlights the positions and responsibilities of every individual who belongs to an organization. Aside from that, it shows how these people will work hand-in-hand to accomplish the ultimate  corporate goal .

Workflow Flowchart

The workflow diagram plays a vital role in the business process. This visualization tool allows you to represent the necessary tasks to obtain a specific goal. You may also indicate in the chart the people you assigned to execute the tasks. In research, you can use it to show the functionalities of particular objects.

Data Flowchart

Through a data flowchart, you can illustrate the connection of the information from the system and external sources. A data flowchart is also an essential tool in representing the flow of information or data into and out of a system.

18+ Research Flowchart Examples

Now that you know the most common types of research flowcharts, download the following samples to get more knowledge on how you can effectively use these diagrams.

1. Quantitative Research Flowchart Template

• Google Docs

2. Sample Research Flowchart Template

3. Research Proposal Flowchart Template

4. Research Process Flowchart Template

5. Market Research Flowchart Template

6. Editable Research Flowchart Template

7. Research Design Flowchart Template

8. Research Project Flowchart Template

9. Flowchart  for Writing Research Papers Examples

Size: 577 KB

10. Research Application Process Flowchart Example

Size: 170 KB

11. Statutory Research Flow Chart Example

Size: 17 KB

12. Research Proposal Evaluation and Process Flowchart Example

Size: 772 KB

13. External Research Proposal Flow Chart Example

Size: 158 KB

14. Clinical Study Research Flowchart Example

Size: 93 KB

15. Flow Chart of Research Strategies Example

Size: 186 KB

16. Conservation Area Research Flowchart Example

Size: 129 KB

17. Sample Flow Chart For Research Paper Example

Size: 32 KB

18. Research Commissioning Flowchart Example

Size: 241 KB

19. Research Governance Flowchart Example

How to Create a Process Flowchart?

As mentioned earlier, you can use flowcharts, such as a process flowchart , in various research sections. With that said, you need to follow an organized guide in creating a great flowchart, whether you are creating it for medical research or other scientific studies. Follow the steps provided below for you to come up with a functional research flowchart.

1. Do Your Research

Before doing anything else, you have to understand the environment of your research project. Determine if you need to learn specific research skills to carry out the investigation or research method accordingly.

2. Evaluate

In this step, you will determine if the existing researches have used flowcharts. You will also find out if there is a need to use a flowchart for your research project. You will then decide the best diagram that you can apply.

3. Create the Flowchart

There are many online tools that you can use to create a diagram for your project. You can use either the free or the paid versions. These paid versions may come with additional features. However, it is essential to know that usually, free versions will get the job done. You don’t want to pay for something that you don’t really need, right?

4. Modify and Enhance

To make your flowchart functional, include essential information such as the details or explanation of each content that you incorporate in your chart. However, keep in mind that in the real world, processes can be complex, so fitting all the materials on one page can be a challenge. Be creative. Summarize the process details, but do not omit the essential parts.

A flowchart is indeed vital in creating more strategic research in many aspects. Improving the flow of the project both in reader’s and the researcher’s end is just an example of what it can do. With that said, it can be helpful if you know how to incorporate this type of visualization to the research methodology that you are using.

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Home » Research Process – Steps, Examples and Tips

Research Process – Steps, Examples and Tips

Table of Contents

Research Process

Definition:

Research Process is a systematic and structured approach that involves the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data or information to answer a specific research question or solve a particular problem.

Research Process Steps

Research Process Steps are as follows:

Identify the Research Question or Problem

This is the first step in the research process. It involves identifying a problem or question that needs to be addressed. The research question should be specific, relevant, and focused on a particular area of interest.

Conduct a Literature Review

Once the research question has been identified, the next step is to conduct a literature review. This involves reviewing existing research and literature on the topic to identify any gaps in knowledge or areas where further research is needed. A literature review helps to provide a theoretical framework for the research and also ensures that the research is not duplicating previous work.

Formulate a Hypothesis or Research Objectives

Based on the research question and literature review, the researcher can formulate a hypothesis or research objectives. A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested to determine its validity, while research objectives are specific goals that the researcher aims to achieve through the research.

Design a Research Plan and Methodology

This step involves designing a research plan and methodology that will enable the researcher to collect and analyze data to test the hypothesis or achieve the research objectives. The research plan should include details on the sample size, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques that will be used.

Collect and Analyze Data

This step involves collecting and analyzing data according to the research plan and methodology. Data can be collected through various methods, including surveys, interviews, observations, or experiments. The data analysis process involves cleaning and organizing the data, applying statistical and analytical techniques to the data, and interpreting the results.

Interpret the Findings and Draw Conclusions

After analyzing the data, the researcher must interpret the findings and draw conclusions. This involves assessing the validity and reliability of the results and determining whether the hypothesis was supported or not. The researcher must also consider any limitations of the research and discuss the implications of the findings.

Communicate the Results

Finally, the researcher must communicate the results of the research through a research report, presentation, or publication. The research report should provide a detailed account of the research process, including the research question, literature review, research methodology, data analysis, findings, and conclusions. The report should also include recommendations for further research in the area.

Review and Revise

The research process is an iterative one, and it is important to review and revise the research plan and methodology as necessary. Researchers should assess the quality of their data and methods, reflect on their findings, and consider areas for improvement.

Ethical Considerations

Throughout the research process, ethical considerations must be taken into account. This includes ensuring that the research design protects the welfare of research participants, obtaining informed consent, maintaining confidentiality and privacy, and avoiding any potential harm to participants or their communities.

Dissemination and Application

The final step in the research process is to disseminate the findings and apply the research to real-world settings. Researchers can share their findings through academic publications, presentations at conferences, or media coverage. The research can be used to inform policy decisions, develop interventions, or improve practice in the relevant field.

Research Process Example

Following is a Research Process Example:

Research Question : What are the effects of a plant-based diet on athletic performance in high school athletes?

Step 1: Background Research Conduct a literature review to gain a better understanding of the existing research on the topic. Read academic articles and research studies related to plant-based diets, athletic performance, and high school athletes.

Step 2: Develop a Hypothesis Based on the literature review, develop a hypothesis that a plant-based diet positively affects athletic performance in high school athletes.

Step 3: Design the Study Design a study to test the hypothesis. Decide on the study population, sample size, and research methods. For this study, you could use a survey to collect data on dietary habits and athletic performance from a sample of high school athletes who follow a plant-based diet and a sample of high school athletes who do not follow a plant-based diet.

Step 4: Collect Data Distribute the survey to the selected sample and collect data on dietary habits and athletic performance.

Step 5: Analyze Data Use statistical analysis to compare the data from the two samples and determine if there is a significant difference in athletic performance between those who follow a plant-based diet and those who do not.

Step 6 : Interpret Results Interpret the results of the analysis in the context of the research question and hypothesis. Discuss any limitations or potential biases in the study design.

Step 7: Draw Conclusions Based on the results, draw conclusions about whether a plant-based diet has a significant effect on athletic performance in high school athletes. If the hypothesis is supported by the data, discuss potential implications and future research directions.

Step 8: Communicate Findings Communicate the findings of the study in a clear and concise manner. Use appropriate language, visuals, and formats to ensure that the findings are understood and valued.

Applications of Research Process

The research process has numerous applications across a wide range of fields and industries. Some examples of applications of the research process include:

• Scientific research: The research process is widely used in scientific research to investigate phenomena in the natural world and develop new theories or technologies. This includes fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science.
• Social sciences : The research process is commonly used in social sciences to study human behavior, social structures, and institutions. This includes fields such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, and economics.
• Education: The research process is used in education to study learning processes, curriculum design, and teaching methodologies. This includes research on student achievement, teacher effectiveness, and educational policy.
• Healthcare: The research process is used in healthcare to investigate medical conditions, develop new treatments, and evaluate healthcare interventions. This includes fields such as medicine, nursing, and public health.
• Business and industry : The research process is used in business and industry to study consumer behavior, market trends, and develop new products or services. This includes market research, product development, and customer satisfaction research.
• Government and policy : The research process is used in government and policy to evaluate the effectiveness of policies and programs, and to inform policy decisions. This includes research on social welfare, crime prevention, and environmental policy.

Purpose of Research Process

The purpose of the research process is to systematically and scientifically investigate a problem or question in order to generate new knowledge or solve a problem. The research process enables researchers to:

• Identify gaps in existing knowledge: By conducting a thorough literature review, researchers can identify gaps in existing knowledge and develop research questions that address these gaps.
• Collect and analyze data : The research process provides a structured approach to collecting and analyzing data. Researchers can use a variety of research methods, including surveys, experiments, and interviews, to collect data that is valid and reliable.
• Test hypotheses : The research process allows researchers to test hypotheses and make evidence-based conclusions. Through the systematic analysis of data, researchers can draw conclusions about the relationships between variables and develop new theories or models.
• Solve problems: The research process can be used to solve practical problems and improve real-world outcomes. For example, researchers can develop interventions to address health or social problems, evaluate the effectiveness of policies or programs, and improve organizational processes.
• Generate new knowledge : The research process is a key way to generate new knowledge and advance understanding in a given field. By conducting rigorous and well-designed research, researchers can make significant contributions to their field and help to shape future research.

Tips for Research Process

Here are some tips for the research process:

• Start with a clear research question : A well-defined research question is the foundation of a successful research project. It should be specific, relevant, and achievable within the given time frame and resources.
• Conduct a thorough literature review: A comprehensive literature review will help you to identify gaps in existing knowledge, build on previous research, and avoid duplication. It will also provide a theoretical framework for your research.
• Choose appropriate research methods: Select research methods that are appropriate for your research question, objectives, and sample size. Ensure that your methods are valid, reliable, and ethical.
• Be organized and systematic: Keep detailed notes throughout the research process, including your research plan, methodology, data collection, and analysis. This will help you to stay organized and ensure that you don’t miss any important details.
• Analyze data rigorously: Use appropriate statistical and analytical techniques to analyze your data. Ensure that your analysis is valid, reliable, and transparent.
• I nterpret results carefully : Interpret your results in the context of your research question and objectives. Consider any limitations or potential biases in your research design, and be cautious in drawing conclusions.
• Communicate effectively: Communicate your research findings clearly and effectively to your target audience. Use appropriate language, visuals, and formats to ensure that your findings are understood and valued.
• Collaborate and seek feedback : Collaborate with other researchers, experts, or stakeholders in your field. Seek feedback on your research design, methods, and findings to ensure that they are relevant, meaningful, and impactful.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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• Starting the research process

A Beginner's Guide to Starting the Research Process

When you have to write a thesis or dissertation , it can be hard to know where to begin, but there are some clear steps you can follow.

The research process often begins with a very broad idea for a topic you’d like to know more about. You do some preliminary research to identify a  problem . After refining your research questions , you can lay out the foundations of your research design , leading to a proposal that outlines your ideas and plans.

This article takes you through the first steps of the research process, helping you narrow down your ideas and build up a strong foundation for your research project.

Table of contents

Step 1: choose your topic, step 2: identify a problem, step 3: formulate research questions, step 4: create a research design, step 5: write a research proposal, other interesting articles.

First you have to come up with some ideas. Your thesis or dissertation topic can start out very broad. Think about the general area or field you’re interested in—maybe you already have specific research interests based on classes you’ve taken, or maybe you had to consider your topic when applying to graduate school and writing a statement of purpose .

Even if you already have a good sense of your topic, you’ll need to read widely to build background knowledge and begin narrowing down your ideas. Conduct an initial literature review to begin gathering relevant sources. As you read, take notes and try to identify problems, questions, debates, contradictions and gaps. Your aim is to narrow down from a broad area of interest to a specific niche.

Make sure to consider the practicalities: the requirements of your programme, the amount of time you have to complete the research, and how difficult it will be to access sources and data on the topic. Before moving onto the next stage, it’s a good idea to discuss the topic with your thesis supervisor.

>>Read more about narrowing down a research topic

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So you’ve settled on a topic and found a niche—but what exactly will your research investigate, and why does it matter? To give your project focus and purpose, you have to define a research problem .

The problem might be a practical issue—for example, a process or practice that isn’t working well, an area of concern in an organization’s performance, or a difficulty faced by a specific group of people in society.

Alternatively, you might choose to investigate a theoretical problem—for example, an underexplored phenomenon or relationship, a contradiction between different models or theories, or an unresolved debate among scholars.

To put the problem in context and set your objectives, you can write a problem statement . This describes who the problem affects, why research is needed, and how your research project will contribute to solving it.

>>Read more about defining a research problem

Next, based on the problem statement, you need to write one or more research questions . These target exactly what you want to find out. They might focus on describing, comparing, evaluating, or explaining the research problem.

A strong research question should be specific enough that you can answer it thoroughly using appropriate qualitative or quantitative research methods. It should also be complex enough to require in-depth investigation, analysis, and argument. Questions that can be answered with “yes/no” or with easily available facts are not complex enough for a thesis or dissertation.

In some types of research, at this stage you might also have to develop a conceptual framework and testable hypotheses .

>>See research question examples

The research design is a practical framework for answering your research questions. It involves making decisions about the type of data you need, the methods you’ll use to collect and analyze it, and the location and timescale of your research.

There are often many possible paths you can take to answering your questions. The decisions you make will partly be based on your priorities. For example, do you want to determine causes and effects, draw generalizable conclusions, or understand the details of a specific context?

You need to decide whether you will use primary or secondary data and qualitative or quantitative methods . You also need to determine the specific tools, procedures, and materials you’ll use to collect and analyze your data, as well as your criteria for selecting participants or sources.

>>Read more about creating a research design

Finally, after completing these steps, you are ready to complete a research proposal . The proposal outlines the context, relevance, purpose, and plan of your research.

As well as outlining the background, problem statement, and research questions, the proposal should also include a literature review that shows how your project will fit into existing work on the topic. The research design section describes your approach and explains exactly what you will do.

You might have to get the proposal approved by your supervisor before you get started, and it will guide the process of writing your thesis or dissertation.

>>Read more about writing a research proposal

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

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Research process flowchart

The research process flowchart outlines the steps involved in conducting a research study. The first step is to define the research problem and develop  research questions  that are clear, concise, and relevant to the field of study.

After developing the research questions, the next step is to conduct a  literature review  to identify any gaps in knowledge and provide a foundation for the study. The next step is to formulate  research hypotheses  that predict the relationship between the independent and dependent variables in the study.

Once the research hypotheses have been developed, the next step is to select an appropriate research design that can test the hypotheses and provide a clear answer to the research questions. The  research design  should be based on the research question and should be able to provide a rigorous and effective study.

The next steps in the  research process flowchart  are to collect and analyze data using appropriate  statistical methods , interpret the results, and draw conclusions. The results should be interpreted in light of the  research question  and hypotheses, and any limitations and implications of the study should be discussed.

Finally, the findings should be communicated to the appropriate audience in a clear and concise manner. By following this research process flowchart, researchers can conduct a rigorous and effective research study that contributes to the field of study and advances knowledge in their area of interest.

Advantages of creating this flowchart

First, it helps to ensure that all necessary steps are taken and that the research study is conducted in a consistent and standardized manner . By outlining the steps involved in the research process, researchers can ensure that the study is conducted in a rigorous and effective manner, and that all necessary steps are taken. This can help to improve the quality of the study and increase the chances of achieving successful outcomes.

Second, creating a  research process flowchart  can help to improve efficiency and reduce the time and cost involved in conducting a research study. By following a structured and standardized approach, researchers can streamline the process and reduce the time and effort required to conduct a research study. This can help to reduce costs for research teams and increase the overall effectiveness of the study.

Overall, creating a research process flowchart is an important step for ensuring that research studies are conducted in a consistent, efficient, and effective manner . By following the flowchart, researchers can conduct a rigorous and effective research study, improve efficiency, and achieve successful outcomes.

Searching for some flowchart templates? Go to  Visual Paradigm Online  and select some designs for customization now!

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Let Your Ideas Flow: Using Flowcharts to Convey Methods and Implications of the Results in Laboratory Exercises, Articles, Posters, and Slide Presentations

Olivia kimber.

1 Department of Chemistry, West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383

Jennifer G. Cromley

2 Department of Educational Psychology, College of Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820

Katherine L. Molnar-Kimber

3 Kimnar Group LLC, KMK Consulting Services, Worcester, PA 19490

INTRODUCTION

Communicating science to peers and students often involves constructing clear, concise flow diagrams and illustrations as well as writing narratives ( 1 , 2 ). Diverse methods for learning, including the use of diagrams of complex biological pathways ( 2 ), help increase the number of active retrieval pathways, lengthen memory, and improve recall efficiency ( 3 ). Diagrams vary in their complexity, which should match the audience’s familiarity with the topic. High school, premedical, and medical students who reviewed a brief set of comic strips or a comic chapter book on the anatomy of the digestive system had greater recall of the organs’ functions than control students ( 4 ). A group of tenth-grade biology students who studied diagrams enhanced their restudy and recall of biology concepts ( 5 ). A different group of tenth-grade biology students improved their comprehension of scientific diagrams by participating in workbook-focused instruction on conventions of diagrams and discussions led by a teacher ( 6 ). Since even physicians have been shown to prefer flowcharts and flow diagrams for learning and recalling clinical guidelines ( 7 ), science communicators should consider flowcharts and diagrams as important tools for teaching or refreshing science concepts with students of most ages and levels. While we present tips and tools for teaching students in grades 6 through 12 and college, all scientists and communicators can use the same tips and tools (tables, figures, and URLs) to design effective diagrams that communicate complex processes in simple and engaging visual ways.

Both flowcharts and flow diagrams can help students and readers who learn through seeing comprehend the relationships between objects or steps. Some people can remember details from a picture with text for a longer time than details from prose: for example, pictures with text in patient leaflets improve recall, comprehension, and medication adherence by the general public ( 8 ). Flowcharts and flow diagrams commonly use brief text and graphic elements to give an overview of a multistep process, a theory, or comparisons ( Table 1 ). Although some students have better spatial cognition than others, all students who actively construct diagrams discover how to “follow the arrows” ( 9 , 10 ). Students who self-completed diagrams with both text and graphic elements but not diagrams with only graphic elements could transfer inferences to a different scientific field ( 11 ). Furthermore, teacher instruction with a workbook that explains the common meanings of symbols and graphic elements in the diagrams from their biology textbook improved students’ comprehension ( 6 ).

Common uses of flowcharts and flow diagrams.

The recently described Scientific Process Flowchart Assessment method can help evaluate students’ comprehension and visualization of the scientific process ( 12 ). Questions in prose help assess students’ grasp of concept definitions and facts but not how students organize the knowledge and relate it to similar fields ( 12 ). Diagrams can help students organize the knowledge ( 10 ) and apply it to other fields. Students who create flow diagrams may form a better-integrated or deeper understanding of the topic ( 10 ) because they need to notice all of the elements and their functions ( 13 ). In addition, flowcharts and flow diagrams are easy to understand for someone even with limited knowledge of the language; effective diagrams help students and scientists convey their research to peers and international colleagues at scientific meetings. Because students developing their own flowcharts may be able to more rapidly interpret flowcharts made by others ( 9 ), we encourage teachers to make construction or use of flowcharts a weekly activity, possibly as part of their preparation for laboratory exercises.

Teachers and professors can ask their students to prepare a flowchart of the procedure as pre-laboratory preparation rather than writing a description. Because people read English from left to right and top to bottom, steps in a flowchart also progress from top to bottom for more rapid comprehension and retention ( 14 ). Since many students do not know the conventions of diagrams, teachers can download and use an effective workbook developed by Cromley et al. ( 6 ) (workbook available at http://hdl.handle.net/2142/97891 ) for teaching them to tenth-grade biology students. Cromley et al. ( 6 , 11 ) provide an additional workbook focused on genetics, and two focused on atoms and proteins at the same URL. (When you use them, please provide feedback to Dr. Cromley.) Table 2 lists the basic conventions of diagrams—both text and graphic elements—with examples shown in Figures 1 and ​ and2. 2 . The life cycle ( Fig. 1 ) proceeds in a clockwise direction. Fig. 1A is typical of diagrams found in scientific articles: the listing of the hours after infection and the blue arrows show the passage of time and the sequence of events. In comparison, Figure 1B uses extra variation in colors of the conventions to emphasize the progression of the infectious process (arrows go from light to dark blue) and differentiate between the two types of infectious particles (EB = brown circle versus RB = beige circle). The changes in Figure 1B can help readers comprehend the life cycle more quickly. To be effective, multiple flowcharts and diagrams in a single manuscript or slide presentation should use the same conventions (e.g., same shape, size, color, filling) only for identical variables or processes ( 2 ). Students, communicators, and scientists can portray similar but distinct variables or processes with related graphic elements (e.g., gradated colored arrows, different colored elements for different stages of infectious particles in Fig. 1B ).

Explanation and examples of conventions of diagrams.

EB = elementary body; RB = reticulate body.

Flow diagrams showing the life cycle of Chlamydia , a pathogenic organism. A) Original diagram. B) Revised diagram uses similar conventions of diagrams and some modifications have been made to improve comprehension. EB = elementary body of Chlamydia ; RB = reticulate body of Chlamydia .

A flow diagram that zooms out (reduces magnification) from a DNA helix at high resolution through several more-compact structures to full condensation and into a metaphase chromosome.

Flow diagrams can show the relationship of a small part to a large part. For example, Figure 2 shows a model of chromosome condensation. It displays a naked DNA helix, and zooms out in five steps to show the structures in which the DNA lives, up to a condensed metaphase chromosome. This model does not provide the mechanisms and proteins involved in going from the DNA helix to the condensed metaphase chromosome. Thus, the designer needs to decide not only what to include, but also what to leave out to avoid too much information and clutter ( 14 ). To avoid audience overload in diagrams for slide presentations, diagram creators can group similar variables or processes together and show the relationships between four groups or fewer on a slide ( 14 ). Adding animation to highlight group X can help focus the audience’s attention on a specific point during the oral presentation. Since students who draw and use diagrams, especially those containing text ( 11 ), can more easily comprehend and apply the displayed scientific concepts in future biological and microbiological knowledge and research ( 10 , 15 ), scientists and communicators may wish to include at least naming and explanatory labels, graphic elements, and a detailed legend ( 2 ) in their flowcharts and diagrams.

Several vendors sell templates of biological shapes and some flow diagrams with a non-exclusive license for use of modified works. To save time and maintain quality, we modified two PowerPoint templates from the scientific illustration toolkits for presentations and publications from MOTIFOLIO to make flow diagrams for our figures. Scientists and communicators should consider using unambiguous conventions, especially unambiguous graphic elements, in their diagrams to optimize the audience’s focus at the start and support the appropriate flow of their attention to subsequent parts.

Flowcharts and diagrams help many people remember a sequence of events and recall interactions in a complex process. Teachers, professors, and science communicators can display information for their students and audiences via flowcharts in class discussions, on handouts, in articles, during continuing education programs, and in slide presentations. Explaining the conventions of diagrams in the figure legends and clearly indicating the sequence in which to read them can help all audiences better assimilate the relationships the flow diagram conveys. Students who use and make flowcharts as part of weekly laboratories may become more adept in applying complex concepts ( 15 ). Students of all ages, colleagues, and readers likely will appreciate these insights and enhanced communication skills.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

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This flowchart should give you a good idea of the order in which to conduct library research. For more information on any step refer to the tabs above, or ask a Librarian.  Happy ReSearching.

Library Research Flowchart

Text version of research flowchart.

• Do Background Reading
• Narrow/Broaden Search
• Create Thesis Statement
• Create list of keywords
• List questions to be answered
• Write a draft outline
• Gather Materials
• Evaluate Resources
• Reliabitliy
• Point of View
• Read, Write, Edit: Organize Your Thoughts
• Think about what you've read
• Synthesize the information
• Write Your Paper
• Revise/Rewrite if necessary
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• Last Updated: Jun 12, 2024 4:57 PM
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• All About Thesis Methodology Flowcharts

Methodology flowchart thesis illustrations show how you plan to do your research. They help you understand your research goals and guide you in choosing the right questions, selecting samples, collecting data, and analyzing it.

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When writing a thesis, dissertation, or academic article, you need to present information in a structured way. To do this, researchers use different methods and approaches to gather and analyze data. The methodology section of a thesis is important because it explains what you did and how you conducted your research. This helps readers evaluate the accuracy and trustworthiness of your work.

Most researchers employ methodology flowchart thesis presentations to strategize, structure, portray, and conceptualize their research methodologies. This article demonstrates the importance of thesis methodology flowcharts through real-life thesis flow chart examples and a practical way to construct them.

In this article

• Importance of Thesis Research Methodology Flowcharts
• EdrawMax- A One-Stop Solution to Thesis Methodology Flowchart Designing Needs!
• How to Craft a Detailed Thesis Methodology Flowchart Using EdrawMax?

Part I: Importance of Thesis Research Methodology Flowcharts

The research thesis methodology flowcharts show how you will tackle your research questions, making your research more successful. Creating a thesis flowchart involves studying the theories and ideas that guide the procedures in your field and organizing your activities in a step-by-step order.

Research methodology flowcharts are very important because they provide a clear plan that helps researchers stay focused and makes the process efficient and manageable. It ensures that your conclusions are based on scientific principles and gives your research credibility.

Part II: EdrawMax- A One-Stop Solution to Thesis Methodology Flowchart Designing Needs!

Creating a structure for your dissertation takes a lot of time. You need to organize your ideas and have strong supporting details. If you don't arrange things in order, your ideas can become confused and unclear. To avoid this, you need a modern diagramming tool that can help you save time and focus on writing your dissertation.

EdrawMax helps you bring your ideas to life when designing thesis flowcharts. It has many useful features like a wide range of symbols, the ability to create multiple pages, helpful alignment tools, easy customization options, and various ways to export your work. Whether you're a student, researcher, teacher, or anyone in education, EdrawMax is a complete solution for all your drawing needs.

Visual Illustration of a Thesis Methodology Flowchart

Consider this practical methodology flowchart thesis example to gain insights into how a well-structured thesis methodology flowchart seems:

When you conduct research, it's important to follow a step-by-step process to ensure accurate and reliable results. This process involves discovering, collecting, evaluating, and presenting ideas in a specific order. By following this standardized procedure, your thesis will be reliable and won't have any incorrect findings. Here is the methodized step-by-step process to help you formulate your thesis research methodology:

Preliminary Strategizing

Before starting your research, it's important to plan ahead. This involves choosing the location, field, and community where you will conduct your research. It's also important to get permission from the community to conduct your research, as it's an ethical concern.

Next, you need to set a clear objective for your thesis and come up with a logical research question. You can do this by observing, studying, or analyzing a situation. Observations can be intentional, where you purposely observe a specific behavior in a community. Sometimes, research questions arise from analyzing current situations, like the coronavirus, pollution, or poverty in a certain town.

Data Collection

Collecting data is an important step in research. It involves observing or measuring things in a systematic way. Before you start collecting data, you need to clearly define your goals. You can do this by explaining the problem you want to address. For example, you might collect data on bomb blast victims or people with aggressive behaviors.

There are two types of data: primary and secondary data. Primary data is information that you collect directly from original sources. Secondary data, on the other hand, is information that has already been gathered or processed by someone else.

Data Processing

After collecting data, the next step is to decide how to process and analyze it. Data processing is when you take the collected data and turn it into useful information that can be used by others. This information can help support or disprove theories, make decisions, or bring about positive changes in a community.

To choose the right data processing method, consider the nature and type of your research and think about your thesis research question. It's important not to get too specific at this stage and avoid discussing any results. Focus on finding a suitable technique that will help you process and analyze your data effectively.

Data Analysis

Researchers use data analysis to make sense of their research findings by organizing, combining, summarizing, and categorizing the data. This helps them identify patterns and themes in the information they have collected.

In the thesis methodology flowchart example mentioned above, the data analysis techniques used are lean and Six Sigma concepts . These methods follow a series of steps, including defining, measuring, analyzing, categorizing, and improving the data to make it more meaningful and valuable.

Evaluation Phase

Data evaluation is a way to check if data is trustworthy, thorough, and consistent. It involves comparing data with specific goals, finding any missing information, and discovering trends, patterns, and connections. Another name for data evaluation is data mining because it uses statistical analysis to uncover valuable insights and generate better information.

Report Writing

Once you have finished your research, it's time to organize and present the information you have gathered. Report writing involves putting all the information together, drawing conclusions based on your findings, and providing recommendations based on the results. It's important to consider who will be reading your report, as the audience plays a significant role in how you present your information.

Part III: How to Craft a Detailed Thesis Methodology Flowchart Using EdrawMax?

EdrawMax is a user-friendly and affordable tool that helps people create detailed diagrams quickly. It's accessible to both small and medium-sized users, making it easy for everyone to make complex diagrams in just a few minutes. Let's see how you can use EdrawMax to create a fantastic flowchart for organizing your thesis.

Download and launch "EdrawMax" on your device for thesis methodology flowchart creation.

Click the "New" tab in the left pane, hover over the "Basic Flowchart" tab, and click the "Create New" button.

Sketch the skeleton of your thesis methodology flowchart by drawing all the required shapes on the canvas at accurate locations.

Embed relevant information in each box to portray your details in exact sequence; you can also rescale the shapes to accommodate larger texts.

Join all the shapes to develop a flow in your thesis methodology flowchart; for this, navigate to the "Connector" tab in the "Home" menu.

You can also personalize the outlook of your thesis research methodology flowchart for enhanced understanding; to do so, navigate to the "Design" tab and apply your desired changes.

To customize an individual item or multiple items simultaneously, select those items and perform your preferred modification.

Click the "Export" option at the top and choose your desired format to save your research thesis methodology flowchart.

Benefits of Using EdrawMax for Thesis Methodology Flowchart Designing

Before using a diagramming application , it's important to consider its features, price, compatibility, and other important factors. Doing thorough research on these aspects will help you make an informed decision and avoid the inconvenience of switching between multiple tools because they don't have the right features for your needs.

EdrawMax is an excellent platform for designing methodology flow chart thesis projects because it offers a wide range of tools that suit everyone's needs. We have listed several reasons why EdrawMax is the best choice for creating your academic diagrams.

• EdrawMax has a Templates Community where you can find ready-made templates to save you the trouble of starting from scratch. It also has a variety of symbol libraries to create different types of flowcharts, making it more fun and expressive.
• With EdrawMax, you can add multiple pages to your thesis flowchart project, keeping your ideas organized and avoiding complexity. You can also enhance your flowcharts by adding pictures, hyperlinks, charts, tables, icons, and other elements to make them insightful and expressive.
• The user interface of EdrawMax is easy to use, with a quick toolbar that allows you to customize shapes and text with just one click. Even the free version of EdrawMax offers customization options like fill and border color, border style, width, rescaling, background type, connector type, and font customization.
• EdrawMax also supports real-time collaboration, which is helpful when you need to discuss and refine your methodology flowchart with your research supervisor. Additionally, you can export your methodology flowchart thesis file in various formats such as PNG, JPG, PDF, SVG, and Visio.
• Overall, EdrawMax provides a user-friendly and versatile platform for creating and customizing methodology flowcharts for your thesis.

Writing a thesis requires careful attention to analyzing and presenting research findings. The methodology you choose for your dissertation plays a crucial role in how you collect data, analyze it, and present your results. Whether you're conducting qualitative or quantitative research, the methodology you use has a significant impact on your entire dissertation.

To make your research more organized, you can create a thesis methodology flowchart . This flowchart helps you outline and visualize the step-by-step process of your research, from selecting techniques and approaches to analyzing data and presenting results. This article offers a detailed guide on how to create a practical and visually appealing thesis methodology flowchart to enhance your research process.

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Flowchart of your study

by Esther van de Vosse | Dec 1, 2020 | Publication | 1 comment

Did you perform an interventional study for which you need to provide a flowchart (or ‘flow diagram’)? There are various ways to make one.

Standard flowchart examples

One way to make the flowchart is by adapting a standard example. For a flowchart of a clinical trial go to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials ( CONSORT ) site. CONSORT is the organization that promotes standard reporting of clinical trials. You probably know them from the CONSORT statement that you are required to use as a guide in reporting clinical data from randomized trials. You can download their example flow diagram . For other study types, for instance systematic reviews and diagnostic accuracy studies, you can find example flow diagrams at the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research ( EQUATOR ) website.

Using tools in Word or PowerPoint

Another solution to make a flowchart is to use the tools available in your word processor (e.g., Word) or drawing program (e.g., PowerPoint). For example, in the ribbon of both Word and PowerPoint, at the tab ‘Insert’ you can choose either ‘Shapes’ or ‘SmartArt’ to create your flowchart:

SmartArt allows you to choose between various designs, of these ‘Hierarchy’ is the most useful for designing a flowchart. Next select ‘Organizational chart’ as this is the option that most closely looks like the type of chart you need. Once you activate SmartArt, two new tabs, ‘Design’ and ‘Format’, will appear on your ribbon under a SmartArt Tools header:

The disadvantage of SmartArt is that it decides for you how boxes in your flowchart are connected. I find this incredibly annoying, so I don’t use SmartArt. The option Shapes works better for me.

Dedicated flowchart tools

My preference is to use a dedicated tool for making flowcharts. There are many available online, such as:

• Diagrams lets you start without signing up first
• Lucidchart requires sign up to try
• Visme seems to be primarily about making presentations
• Creately be sure to check out the pictogram library in this one

Most of these are free as long as (you sign up and) use them only a few times. You can always upgrade to a paid plan to have more options later. They all appear to be easy to use and have many options.

Before you start

Before you start to make the flowchart collect all necessary information. For instance, for a clinical trial you need all the subject numbers involved in your study such as the number of enrolled, excluded, randomized, and analyzed. If any subjects were excluded from the study or from the analysis check what the reasons were. All this information will need to go in the flowchart. The Consort flowchart shown above may help you collect the required data. Also look up flowcharts from studies similar to yours for ideas on what information is provided. It will save a lot of time if you prepare well before making the flowchart.

Read more blogs on anything related to writing manuscripts and publishing in peer reviewed journals here .

perfect flow chart

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Flowchart Tutorial (with Symbols, Guide and Examples)

A flowchart is simply a graphical representation of steps. It shows steps in sequential order and is widely used in presenting the flow of algorithms, workflow or processes. Typically, a flowchart shows the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting them with arrows.

What is a Flowchart?

A flowchart is a graphical representations of steps. It was originated from computer science as a tool for representing algorithms and programming logic but had extended to use in all other kinds of processes. Nowadays, flowcharts play an extremely important role in displaying information and assisting reasoning. They help us visualize complex processes, or make explicit the structure of problems and tasks. A flowchart can also be used to define a process or project to be implemented.

Flowchart Symbols

Different flowchart shapes have different conventional meanings. The meanings of some of the more common shapes are as follows:

The terminator symbol represents the starting or ending point of the system.

A box indicates some particular operation.

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

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

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.

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.

Off-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 a different page.

Delay or Bottleneck

Identifies a delay or a bottleneck.

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

When to Draw Flowchart?

Using a flowchart has a variety of benefits:

• It helps to clarify complex processes.
• It identifies steps that do not add value to the internal or external customer, including delays; needless storage and transportation; unnecessary work, duplication, and added expense; breakdowns in communication.
• It helps team members gain a shared understanding of the process and use this knowledge to collect data, identify problems, focus discussions, and identify resources.
• It serves as a basis for designing new processes.

Flowchart examples

Here are several flowchart examples. See how you can apply a flowchart practically.

Flowchart Example – Medical Service

This is a hospital flowchart example that shows how clinical cases shall be processed. This flowchart uses decision shapes intensively in representing alternative flows.

Flowchart Example – Simple Algorithms

A flowchart can also be used in visualizing algorithms, regardless of its complexity. Here is an example that shows how flowchart can be used in showing a simple summation process.

Flowchart Example – Calculate Profit and Loss

The flowchart example below shows how profit and loss can be calculated.

Creating a Flowchart in Visual Paradigm

Let’s see how to draw a flowchart in Visual Paradigm. We will use a very simple flowchart example here. You may expand the example when finished this tutorial.

• Select Diagram > New from the main menu.

• Enter the name of the flowchart and click OK .

• Enter Add items to Cart as the name of the process.

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Create flowcharts quickly and easily with SmartDraw's flowchart software

What is a flowchart, flowchart symbols, how to make a flowchart, types of flowcharts, flowchart examples, with smartdraw, you can create many different types of diagrams, charts, and visuals.

A flowchart is a visual representation of the sequence of steps and decisions needed to perform a process. Each step in the sequence is noted within a diagram shape. Steps are linked by connecting lines and directional arrows. This allows anyone to view the flowchart and logically follow the process from beginning to end.

A flowchart is a powerful business tool. With proper design and construction, it communicates the steps in a process very effectively and efficiently.

You'll notice that the flowchart has different shapes. In this case, there are two shapes: those with rounded ends represent the start and end points of the process and rectangles are used to show the interim steps. These shapes are known as flowchart symbols . There are dozens of symbols that can be used in a flowchart. If you're new to flowcharting, it's important to know what they represent before using them. Just as word usage conveys a certain message, flowchart symbols also have specific meaning. Read our complete guide to flowchart symbols.

There are several ways to make a flowchart. Originally, flowcharts were created by hand using pencil and paper. Before the advent of the personal computer, drawing templates made of plastic flowchart shape outlines helped flowchart makers work more quickly and gave their diagrams a more consistent look.

Today's flowcharts are typically created using a flowchart maker .

• Learn How to Make a Flowchart
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• Browse Tips for Better Flow Charts

Types and Uses of Flowcharts

There are a wide variety of flowchart types . Here are just a few of the more commonly used ones.

• Swimlane flowcharts
• Data flow diagrams
• Influence diagrams
• Workflow diagrams
• Process flow diagrams
• Yes/no flowcharts
• Decision flows

Flowcharts were originally used by industrial engineers to structure work processes such as assembly line manufacturing.

Today, flowcharts are used for a variety of purposes in manufacturing, architecture, engineering, business, technology, education, science, medicine, government, administration and many other disciplines.

Here are some of the ways flowcharts are used today.

• Project planning
• Program or system design through flowchart programming
• Process documentation
• Audit a process for inefficiencies or malfunctions
• Map computer algorithms
• Documenting workflow

Flowchart Templates & Examples

The best way to understand flowcharts is to look at some examples of flowcharts. Click on any of these flowcharts included in SmartDraw and edit them:

Browse SmartDraw's entire collection of flowchart examples and templates

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Research Methodology Flowchart [classic]

You can easily edit this template using Creately. You can export it in multiple formats like JPEG, PNG and SVG and easily add it to Word documents, Powerpoint (PPT) presentations, Excel or any other documents. You can export it as a PDF for high-quality printouts.

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• PRISMA 2020

Creating a PRISMA flow diagram: PRISMA 2020

Created by health science librarians.

What is PRISMA?

Which prisma 2020 flow diagram should i use, step-by-step: prisma 2020 flow diagram, using the covidence prisma diagram, documenting your grey literature search, updating a systematic review with prisma 2020, citing prisma 2020, for more information, prisma 2020 checklist.

• PRISMA 2020 Checklist (.doc)
• PRISMA 2020 Checklist (.pdf)
• PRISMA 2020 Expanded Checklist

PRISMA 2020 Flow Diagram Templates

• PRISMA 2020 V1- New Reviews with Databases and Registers only PRISMA 2020 flow diagram for new systematic reviews which included searches of databases and registers only
• PRISMA 2020 V2 - New Reviews with Databases, Registers, and Other Sources PRISMA 2020 flow diagram for new systematic reviews which included searches of databases, registers and other sources

The format of the PRISMA Step-By-Step was first developed by Glasgow Caledonian University https://www.gcu.ac.uk/library

"PRISMA stands for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

It is an evidence-based minimum set of items for reporting in systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

The aim of the PRISMA Statement is to help authors improve the reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. We have focused on randomized trials, but PRISMA can also be used as a basis for reporting systematic reviews of other types of research, particularly evaluations of interventions. PRISMA may also be useful for critical appraisal of published systematic reviews, although it is not a quality assessment instrument to gauge the quality of a systematic review. The PRISMA Statement consists of a 27-item checklist and a four-phase flow diagram ."

"The PRISMA Explanation and Elaboration document explains and illustrates the principles underlying the PRISMA Statement. It is strongly recommended that it be used in conjunction with the PRISMA Statement.

PRISMA is part of a broader effort, to improve the reporting of different types of health research, and in turn to improve the quality of research used in decision-making in healthcare."

From prisma-statement.org

Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, et al. The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions: explanation and elaboration.  J Clin Epidemiol . 2009;62(10):e1-e34. doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2009.06.006

Page MJ, Moher D, Bossuyt P, et al. PRISMA 2020 explanation and elaboration: updated guidance and exemplars for reporting systematic reviews. doi:10.31222/osf.io/gwdhk.

Rethlefsen M, Kirtley S, Waffenschmidt S, et al. PRISMA-S: An Extension to the PRISMA Statement for Reporting Literature Searches in Systematic Reviews. doi:10.31219/osf.io/sfc38.

In PRISMA 2020, there are now expanded options depending on where you search and whether you are updating a review. Version 1 of PRISMA 2020 includes databases and clinical trial or preprint registers.  Version 2 includes additional sections for elaborating on your grey literature search, such as searches on websites or in citation lists.  Both versions are available for new and updated reviews from the Equator Network's PRISMA Flow Diagram page .

Templates for New Reviews

Step 1: Preparation To complete the the PRISMA diagram, save a copy of the diagram to use alongside your searches. It can be downloaded from the PRISMA website . 

Step 2: Doing the Database Search Run the search for each database individually, including ALL your search terms, any MeSH or other subject headings, truncation (like hemipleg * ), and/or wildcards (like sul ? ur). Apply all your limits (such as years of search, English language only, and so on). Once all search terms have been combined and you have applied all relevant limits, you should have a final number of records or articles for each database. Enter this information in the top left box of the PRISMA flow chart. You should add the total number of combined results from all databases (including duplicates) after the equal sign where it says Databases (n=) . Many researchers also add notations in the box for the number of results from each database search, for example, Pubmed (n=335), Embase (n= 600), and so on.  If you search trial registers, such as ClinicalTrials.gov , CENTRAL , ICTRP , or others, you should enter that number after the equal sign in Registers (n=) .

NOTE: Some citation managers automatically remove duplicates with each file you import.  Be sure to capture the number of articles from your database searches before any duplicates are removed.

Step 3: Remove All Duplicates To avoid reviewing duplicate articles, you need to remove any articles that appear more than once in your results. You may want to export the entire list of articles from each database to a citation manager such as EndNote, Sciwheel, Zotero, or Mendeley (including both citation and abstract in your file) and remove the duplicates there. If you are using Covidence for your review, you should also add the duplicate articles identified in Covidence to the citation manager number.  Enter the number of records removed as duplicates in the second box on your PRISMA template.  If you are using automation tools to help evaluate the relevance of citations in your results, you would also enter that number here.

NOTE: If you are using Covidence to screen your articles , you can copy the numbers from the PRISMA diagram in your Covidence review into the boxes mentioned below.  Covidence does not include the number of results from each database, so you will need to keep track of that  number yourself.

Step 4: Records Screened- Title/Abstract Screening The next step is to add the number of articles that you will screen. This should be the number of records identified minus the number from the duplicates removed box.

Step 5: Records Excluded- Title/Abstract Screening You will need to screen the titles and abstracts for articles which are relevant to your research question. Any articles that appear to help you provide an answer to your research question should be included. Record the number of articles excluded through title/abstract screening in the box to the right titled "Records excluded."  You can optionally add exclusion reasons at this level, but they are not required until full text screening.

Step 6: Reports Sought for Retrieval This is the number of articles you obtain in preparation for full text screening.  Subtract the number of excluded records (Step 5) from the total number screened (Step 4) and this will be your number sought for retrieval.

Step 7: Reports Not Retrieved List the number of articles for which you are unable to find the full text.  Remember to use Find@UNC and Interlibrary Loan to request articles to see if we can order them from other libraries before automatically excluding them.

Step 8: Reports Assessed for Eligibility- Full Text Screening   This should be the number of reports sought for retrieval (Step 6) minus the number of reports not retrieved (Step 7). Review the full text for these articles to assess their eligibility for inclusion in your systematic review. 

Step 9: Reports Excluded After reviewing all articles in the full-text screening stage for eligibility, enter the total number of articles you exclude in the box titled "Reports excluded," and then list your reasons for excluding the articles as well as the number of records excluded for each reason.  Examples include wrong setting, wrong patient population, wrong intervention, wrong dosage, etc.  You should only count an excluded article once in your list even if if meets multiple exclusion criteria.

Step 10: Included Studies The final step is to subtract the number of records excluded during the eligibility review of full-texts (Step 9) from the total number of articles reviewed for eligibility (Step 8). Enter this number in the box labeled "Studies included in review," combining numbers with your grey literature search results in this box if needed.  You have now completed your PRISMA flow diagram, unless you have also performed searches in non-database sources.

To view the PRISMA diagram created after using Covidence to screen references for your review, click the PRISMA button on the main menu of your review in Covidence.

If you listed your sources when importing citations, your PRISMA diagram will include the list of databases you used and the number of references from each.

If you imported references from a citation manager, your PRISMA diagram starts with duplicate removal.  To have a complete PRISMA diagram, you will need to add the number of results from each database you searched, as well as the number of additional sources you found. 

Once you have finished title/abstract and full text screening (and data extraction or quality assessment if applicable), click Download DOCX to download your flow diagram as a Word document, or click View as text to copy and paste the PRISMA data or into an editable template for PRISMA and fill in the numbers.

There are many places articles can get lost in the review process. Remember to make sure your PRISMA numbers add up correctly!

Step 6: Included Studies The final step is to subtract the number of excluded articles or records during the eligibility review of full-texts from the total number of articles reviewed for eligibility. Enter this number in the box labeled "Studies included in review," combining numbers with your database search results in this box if needed.  You have now completed your PRISMA flow diagram, which you can now include in the results section of your article or assignment.

If you are updating an existing review, use one of these PRISMA 2020 Updated Review templates, which feature an additional box for the number of studies and reports of studies included in the previous search iterations.

• PRISMA 2020 flow diagram for updated systematic reviews- databases and registers only
• PRISMA 2020 flow diagram for updated systematic reviews- databases, registers and other sources

When referring to PRISMA 2020, The Equator Network recommends using journal article citations (such as those in our For More Information box ) rather than referring to the PRISMA website. If you are not already using a journal article citation, they recommend that you cite one of the original publications of the PRISMA Statement or PRISMA Explanation and Elaboration .

Related HSL Guides

• Systematic Reviews

Additional Readings

• Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, et al. Updating guidance for reporting systematic reviews: development of the PRISMA 2020 statement . J Clin Epidemiol. 2021;134:103-112.
• Page MJ, Moher D, Bossuyt PM, et al. PRISMA 2020 explanation and elaboration: updated guidance and exemplars for reporting systematic reviews . Bmj. 2021;372:n160.
• Radua J. PRISMA 2020 - An updated checklist for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021;124:324-325.
• Sarkis-Onofre R, Catalá-López F, Aromataris E, Lockwood C. How to properly use the PRISMA Statement . Systematic reviews. 2021;10(1):117-117.
• Sohrabi C, Franchi T, Mathew G, et al. PRISMA 2020 statement: What's new and the importance of reporting guidelines. Int J Surg. 2021;88:105918.
• Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews . Int J Surg. 2021;88:105906.
• Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. J Clin Epidemiol. 2021.
• Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews . Bmj. 2021;372:n71.
• Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews . PLoS Med. 2021;18(3):e1003583.
• Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews . Syst Rev. 2021;10(1):89.
• Last Updated: May 14, 2024 12:49 PM
• URL: https://guides.lib.unc.edu/prisma

How to Make a Flowchart in 5 Steps

Before making flowcharts, we must first understand what they are . In simple terms, flowchart or flow chart , is a type of diagram that describe processes. These diagrams compose of symbols , often rectangular, connected by arrows. Read on to learn more about how to create a flowchart from scratch, using pen & paper, or specialized flowchart tools.

How to make a flowchart in 5 steps

This complete guide on building a flowchart helps one gradually develop even the most complex flowcharts from scratch. There are  five steps to building a flowchart.  From determining the diagram's purpose and the components, drawing the basic shapes, and reviewing the chart, these basic steps should be conducted. 

Below are 5 easy steps you can follow to make a flowchart from scratch. To further improve your flowcharting skills, here are the Tips You Must Know To Create Better Flowcharts.

Step 1 - Determine The Purpose Or Function

For visualizing abstract processes, it is necessary to determine the purpose of the flowchart. This helps in choosing the suitable types of process maps to build. 

Designers can employ one of the following main flow chart types :  ‍

1. Process Flowchart : As the most common type, a process flowchart illustrates the steps of plans, projects, production processes, etc. It visualizes and explains how something is done from start to end so that teammates, managers, an external team, and other viewers understand business processes.

2. Workflow Chart : These organizational charts indicate the flow of materials and data in an organization. It works wonders in training newbies, identifying problems in the workflow, planning new procedures, or explaining business operations. 

3. Swimlane Flowchart : The purpose of this graphical representation is to clarify the interaction process between different employees, departments, and processes, such as sales process steps that involve other parts of a business. Each diagram can consist of six or more swimlanes. 

4. Data Flowchart : It explains the input-output flows in an information system. A data flowchart comes in handy when one needs to analyze a plan or design a new one. Process maps are the most common in software development but can also be used in business processes. 

Step 2 - Map out major steps using flowchart symbols

This step involves listing out all the phases and assigning the proper shapes to each of them.

Different process maps comprise varied components , depending on their type, purpose, and content. The following are some of the most popular elements used in basic process mapping:

- Start/End : A pod shape or oval shape. - Action : A rectangle. - Document : A rectangle featuring a rippled bottom. - Multiple documents : A symbol showing three accumulated rectangles with rippled bottoms. - Decision : Diamond shape.  - Input/Output : A parallelogram. - Preparation : A hexagon. - Data storage : A pod shape with two parallel curves on the sides. - Manual input : A rectangle with an angled top side.  - Connector : A circle. - Or : A circle with a cross inside. - Summoning junction : A circle with an X symbol inside. - Merge : A triangle with one apex pointing down. - Collate : Two triangles resembling a sand clock. - Manual operation : A trapezoid shape.

Step 3 - Place The Components In Order

Now that all the components have been visualized, the next step is to place the steps in the correct order to sketch out the basic process map. 

In addition, the diagram maker needs to add lines and arrows to illustrate the direction of flow and the relations between critical elements. 

Although the entire process is close to finishing, there may be changes in this process step, such as alternating the step order and adding components. Also, remember to use keywords and phrases only, do not write an entire sentence in each box.

Once all the flow lines and terminal symbols are added, you now have a complete flowchart, ready for review.

Step 4 - Review & Improve The Flowchart  

After a series of steps, the flowchart has already come to life with the complete flow, actions, and components. However, a thorough review is essential to spot errors and improve the process flowchart. 

An excellent way to assess the flowchart is to get help from people unfamiliar with the process. Ask them to view the diagram and determine whether they understand what it is supposed to convey.

The flowchart maker can develop possible solutions to achieve a practical process map based on the viewer's responses. Gather everyone's feedback and make improvements to your flow chart accordingly.

Step 5 - Publish & Share Your Flowchart

Flowcharts should be made easily accessible to all parties involved. So make sure you publish your work in the right place.

Our online flowchart maker Zen Flowchart has a handy publishing feature, which allows you to publish and share your flowcharts. Any future updates you make to the document will automatically be updated.

Making flow charts with regular apps

As you create documents within Word, Powerpoint, or Google Docs, you can create flowcharts easily using the features these tools already provide. Read our specific guide for each app to learn more: 

• How to make a flowchart in Word
• How to make a flowchart in Powerpoint
• How to make a flowchart in Excel
• How to make a flowchart in Google Doc

Flowchart Tools

You can create flowcharts easily with just pen and paper. But online flowchart tools will make this task so much easier as there are already pre-made flowchart components that you only need to drag & drop into your workspace. Furthermore, flowchart tools can help you publish and share your documents easily to colleagues and clients.

Here are the Top 10 Flowchart Software we recommend.

Flowchart Templates

If you need some more guidance to get started. Check out some of our ready-made flowchart templates that you can duplicate.

Flowchart Guides

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How to Make a Flowchart: Beginner’s Guide (& Free Templates)

Written by: Mahnoor Sheikh

Knowing how to make a flowchart is a valuable skill, regardless of your field or industry. If you’re intimidated by the thought of creating a flowchart from scratch, we’re here to help you out.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basic steps of designing a flowchart that helps you achieve your goals in the best possible way.

If you want to skip the tutorial and start creating your own flowchart, use our drag-and-drop flowchart maker to get started right away.

Here’s a short selection of 8 easy-to-edit  flowchart templates you can edit, share and download with Visme. View more templates below:

How to Make a Flowchart in 7 Simple Steps

Step #1: know the purpose of your flowchart., step #2: start with a template., step #3: add shapes and symbols., step #4: connect your shapes with lines and arrows., step #5: split paths or add decisions., step #6: customize your flowchart’s appearance., step #7: download or share your flowchart., bonus: make your flowchart interactive., flowchart best practices, 10 flowchart templates to help you get started.

• A flowchart is a visual representation of the steps, decisions and relations involved in a process.
• The best way to create a flowchart is to start by clarifying its purpose, choosing a suitable template, adding relevant shapes and symbols and connecting them using lines and arrows.
• Then, include decision points or branching paths, customize the appearance of the flowchart, and finally, download or share the completed flowchart.
• Visme's flowchart templates come with a wide variety of shapes and symbols that can be used to represent different parts of your process. You can also customize the colors, style and size of the shapes as well as their alignment within the flowchart.
• Sign-up for Visme's free online flowchart maker and create professional-looking flowcharts in just a few clicks.

What is a Flowchart?

A flowchart is a visual representation of a process, system or workflow. It uses a combination of symbols, shapes and arrows to illustrate the sequence of steps and decisions involved in accomplishing a task. Think of a flowchart as a roadmap that guides you from start to finish, showcasing the logical flow of actions and providing a clear overview of a process.

Much like bubble charts , scatter plots and graphs, flowcharts have versatile applications across various industries and disciplines. They are widely used for process analysis, project management and designing systems, providing a visual framework that enhances understanding.

What are the 4 Types of Flowcharts?

Flowcharts come in various types, each with its unique purpose and structure. Let's dive into the four main types of flowcharts you need to know. Additionally, we will provide an example flowchart template for each type to enhance your understanding.

1. Process Flowcharts

This is one of the most commonly used flowcharts compared to the others. Process flowcharts or process flow diagrams depict step-by-step sequences of activities within a process, making it easy to understand the workflow. They are ideal for analyzing and optimizing processes, identifying bottlenecks and improving efficiency.

2. Swimlane Flowcharts

Swimlane flowcharts take process flowcharts to the next level by introducing swimlanes representing different departments, individuals or responsibilities. They provide a clear visual representation of handoffs and interactions, helping identify accountability, collaboration and areas of improvement.

3. Data Flowcharts

Focused on the movement of data within a system or process, these flowcharts illustrate how data is processed, stored or transformed. They are widely used in software development, system analysis and data management to understand and optimize data flow.

4. Workflow Diagrams

Also known as deployment flowcharts, these diagrams showcase interactions between different entities in a system or process. They visualize the flow of tasks, decisions and events among individuals, departments or systems. Workflow diagrams help understand and improve coordination and communication between various components.

Read this article to learn more about the 15 most popular types of flowcharts and discover how each one can enhance your understanding of processes, optimize workflow, and improve decision-making.

The best flowcharts are simple and clear, and effectively communicate each step of the process.

By following some basic structure, diagramming and design concepts, you can create visually appealing and easy-to-understand flowcharts.

Our flowchart tutorial below is broken down into 7 simple steps

Follow these simple steps to create a flowchart that checks all the right boxes.

Before knowing how to design a flowchart, it is mandatory to find out why you’re creating one in the first place.

Your flowchart can have various goals, such as:

• Making a complex process easier to understand
• Improving an existing business process by identifying bottlenecks
• Explaining or communicating a process to someone else
• Standardizing a process for consistency and efficiency

When you know the purpose of your flowchart, it’s easier to choose the type of flowchart to create, pick the most relevant template, and know whether to focus more on design or function when making one.

Creating a flowchart from scratch can be intimidating. Luckily, you don’t have to.

There are plenty of flowchart templates available online that you can customize and adapt for your own use. Try to select a template that’s created specifically for your field or industry so it takes you less time and effort to finalize.

If you’re looking for professionally designed flowchart templates, browse through Visme’s flowchart template library with dozens of options for various fields. When you find something you like, hover on it and click on Edit to start customizing it.

You can also choose to start with a blank canvas and use pre-made flowchart content blocks to put your diagram together.

The easiest way to create a flowchart is by utilizing a dedicated flowchart maker, such as Visme. However, you can also create a basic flowchart using software like Microsoft Word or PowerPoint. This can be difficult for a beginner but might be a good option if you’re already confident about your diagramming skills and aren’t interested in using pre-made templates.

Samantha, a satisfied small business owner, shares why Visme is the ultimate destination for finding the perfect flowchart template.

“I was looking for flow-chart style templates with other brands in the trial phase, and I couldn't find anything- I tried Visme and instantly found at least 100 different flow-chart template options.”

Shapes and symbols play a vital role in any flowchart. They define the components of your flowchart, and each symbol represents something unique.

Read our brief guide to flowchart symbols above to familiarize yourself with the most common shapes and symbols before continuing with this step.

After you’ve identified the purpose of your flowchart, it’s time to draw your diagram. The first thing you need to do here is add the symbols that represent all the components in your flowchart.

If you’re making your flowchart in Visme, you can add flowchart symbols by clicking on the Data tab on your left, and then selecting Diagrams .

You can also add blocks of pre-made flows with 3-4 shapes by navigating over to the Basics tab and selecting Diagrams from there.

Once you’ve added some basic shapes, you can now connect them with lines and arrows. This leads us to the next step.

Once you’ve added all the different shapes you need, it’s time to connect each one with lines and arrows.

We recommend using arrows if you want to show a specific direction of your flow of information. For example, the flowchart example below visualizes how information is flowing in different directions with the help of arrows.

In Visme, there are various line and arrow designs to choose from if you want to add them manually. All of the lines and arrows are fully customizable, drag-and-drop, and easy to rearrange and move around.

Another way to quickly create your flowchart in Visme is to integrate the two steps of adding shapes and connecting them.

You can simply add one shape, click on it, select any of the small arrows that appear on the sides of the shape, and click on a pre-made flow to extend your diagram.

If you want to change the new shape that appears, just click on it, tap on Edit at the top, and change the shape or symbol to one that suits your needs.

Keep doing this until your flowchart is ready!

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In some cases, you may want to split paths and add decisions to your flowchart, such as adding two different paths based on Yes/No decisions.

This is useful for visualizing complex processes that require people to take different actions based on varying inputs and outputs.

For example, you may want your employees to shut down a system in case of a power outage. At the same time, you’d want them to keep the system turned on if there’s only minor electricity fluctuation.

In Visme, adding decisions and split paths is easy.

When you click on a shape to extend it, you can choose one of the pre-made split path blocks to extend your flowchart in two different directions.

If you want, you can add text next to each path, such as “Yes” or “No”. Just drag and drop the Text block from the Data → Diagrams tab in the left-hand panel, and edit it.

Suppose you want to educate your audience on diagnosing and resolving slow server issues. To do this, you must include checking both swap and CPU percentages, along with appropriate actions to take based on high and low values.

Here is a flowchart template that visualizes the process:

The next step is to customize your flowchart’s appearance. Your flowchart’s design will depend on how you plan to use your diagram, where you’ll use it and who the audience is.

Visme’s “Shortcuts” feature makes it super easy for you to find everything you need to customize your flowchart template. By typing the forward slash "/" on your keyboard, a popup appears, providing quick access to a wide range of customization options.

From animations, shapes, and icons to special effects and data visualizations, you'll find almost everything Visme offers right at your fingertips.

With this time-saving feature, you can focus more on your content and ideas, knowing that the design aspect is simplified and optimized for maximum visual impact.

There are several ways to customize your flowchart’s appearance in Visme.

Customize your shapes and lines.

First, you may want to change the size, color, border, roundness and other characteristics of your shapes, symbols and lines.

You can do all of this in Visme by selecting the element in question, and clicking on Edit at the top to reveal the customization toolbar.

You can also change the font, font size, font color and font style of any text in your flowchart, such as the text inside shapes or next to the lines.

Resizing your shapes and lines is easy to do as well. Simply click on a shape and drag it using the controls on each side and corner.

Add relevant icons.

Flowcharts don’t always need to be all text and shapes and no graphics. Sprinkle some visual fun into your flowchart by adding icons where possible.

For example, instead of using text that says “Yes” or “No”, you can add icons of green check marks and red X/cross marks.

You can also add icons in place of the actual shapes and symbols to visualize components. This is especially useful in system diagram flowcharts, where you can add icons of computers, cloud, firewalls, switches, routers and more.

Visme comes built-in with thousands of free vector icons — all fully customizable.

Just click on the Graphics tab, select Icons and sift through the categories manually, or type in your keyword at the top to find relevant options.

You can change the colors of the icons, resize them, replace them with one click and even upload your own icons to enhance your flowchart’s design.

Add a header.

Make your flowchart design stand out by adding an eye-catching header at the top. Headers are not only useful for making your flowchart look good, they’re great tools for communicating the title and purpose of your flowchart.

Create an effective flowchart header by using large and bold text, and even add a graphic like an image or illustration to emphasize on your topic.

In Visme, you can add a header to your flowchart by clicking on the Basics tab and selecting Header & Text . Browse through the options and drag what you like onto your flowchart.

You can also choose from pre-designed font pairs or customize the header that came with your Visme flowchart template.

If you want to add an image to your header, select the Photos tab, and browse through millions of free stock photos. You can also upload your own images from your computer.

Another way to decorate your flowchart header in Visme is to find a relevant illustration or icon in the Graphics tab and resizing it so it’s big enough to fit in the header. Play around with the design and take advantage of visuals to communicate your flowchart topic more effectively.

Change the background.

Add a background to your flowchart to make it stand out. You can add a solid color background or take things up a notch and add an image.

Whatever background you choose to go with, make sure it doesn’t distract readers from the actual flowchart. Your shapes, symbols and lines should be clearly visible at all times.

One way to do that is to add a color overlay to your background image to make the objects and text on top stand out in contrast. You can easily add color overlays to any images in Visme.

Take it a step further and utilize Visme's AI Image generator to effortlessly create various types of backgrounds. This powerful tool enables you to generate unique and eye-catching visuals, such as gradients, abstract patterns or even custom images.

By leveraging the AI Image generator, you can easily customize your flowchart's background to make it truly stand out and leave a lasting impression on your audience. Just type what you want and it will give you exactly what you are looking for.

Once your flowchart is ready, it’s time to download it or share it with your target audience.

In Visme, you have a range of download options for your flowchart, including high-quality PNG and JPG image formats for printing and sharing.

You can also save it as a PDF document for a consistent layout in reports and presentations. Visme offers interactive HTML5 files for embedding in websites, as well as SCORM and xAPI formats for integration with e-learning platforms. Additionally, you can download your flowchart as a PPTX file to use as a presentation slide.

Apart from downloads, Visme lets you publish your flowchart online with a unique URL or generate an embed code for seamless integration into web pages or projects. These features provide flexibility in sharing and distributing your flowcharts.

Breathe life into your flowcharts through an array of interactive features. With the intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, you can effortlessly add clickable buttons, links and hotspots to engage viewers and provide additional information.

Imagine you're creating a flow chart to explain a step-by-step process for using a software application. You can add clickable buttons to each step of the flowchart, allowing users to navigate directly to relevant sections of the application or access related resources.

For instance, you can create a button labeled "Settings" that, when clicked, takes the user to the settings page of the application.

Enhance the user experience by incorporating hover effects and animated transitions, ensuring a seamless journey through your flowchart.

For example, when moving from one phase to another in a flowchart depicting a project management workflow, you can utilize animated transitions to create a visually appealing and engaging transition effect.

Additionally, you can embed multimedia elements like videos, audio and interactive charts to convey complex concepts with clarity and impact.

Visme's collaboration features enable team members to work simultaneously on the same flowchart. Use it to brainstorm ideas, make edits, and provide feedback. Everyone involved can see changes happening in real time, fostering a cohesive and efficient workflow.

Additionally, Visme keeps a detailed revision history, allowing you to track changes and revert to previous versions if needed.

Invite your team members via email or a shareable link and collaborate seamlessly on creating captivating flowcharts.

Also, Visme's workflow management tool streamlines your design process by letting you assign tasks, set deadlines, and oversee progress. Easily manage your team's work in one place to deliver quality content on time.

Making a flowchart is an art, and if you know the basic rules you will do wonders. Below are some best practices to help you make any flowchart more effective and efficient.

• Establish the flow direction. The format of your flowchart must be from left to right or top to bottom. This sort of formatting will help the user of your flowchart understand the process more easily.
• Run your return lines under your flowchart. Make sure that the return lines of your flowchart do not overlap because this can create complications for the users of your flowchart.
• Keep consistent spacing between symbols. A neat and clean flowchart will help you achieve your goals faster. So, make your flowchart clearer and easier to understand by adding consistent spacing between the symbols.
• Use the correct symbol for each step. Every symbol has a specific role in your flowchart, so make sure you use the right one to visualize each step to avoid any potential confusion or miscommunication.
• Use all caps. Using all caps in your flowchart text makes it look more professional and easier to read. It also highlights each step and gives it equal importance.

Looking for some flowchart templates to give you a head start?

In this section, we’ve put together a bunch of flowchart templates that are professionally designed and ready to use.

You can use these flowchart examples to accelerate your flowchart creation process. This is especially useful if you’re a beginner and you don’t want to deal with making a flowchart from scratch.

Click on the button below the template to start customizing using Visme’s flowchart generator .

Template #1: Server Network Diagram

Make an eye-catching server flowchart for your business with this basic network diagram template. You can also use it for other specific purposes, such as for visualizing a firewall system or an office network.

This ready-to-go flowchart template can be customized in Visme’s drag-and-drop editor. Change shapes, lines, text, colors, background and more.

Template #2: Customer Service Flowchart

This yes/no flowchart is a great way to train your customer service employees, such as sales reps, on how to respond to various customer queries and problems.

You can modify this ready-made flowchart with your own text, rearrange the shapes, and customize the design with your own brand colors and fonts.

If you need assistance writing your flowchart's text and description, use Visme’s AI Writer . This tool can generate, proofread, edit and even rephrase your flowchart text. All you need to do is provide the tool with the necessary information about your requirements, and it will do the work for you in seconds.

Template #3: Project Team Flowchart

This project team flowchart is essentially an organizational chart that you can use to visualize your team structure.

You can customize this flowchart for any business, department or team, and it’s very helpful for understanding roles, responsibilities and who to report to. Replace the existing text, colors, shapes and more in the template with your own and you’re good to go.

If you want to maintain consistent branding, it's crucial to create a flowchart design that aligns with your organization's brand personality .

With Visme's brand wizard tool , you can easily achieve this level of consistency. Save your brand colors , brand fonts , and logo within the brand wizard, and apply them to your flowchart design in just a few clicks.

This ensures that your flowchart seamlessly reflects your brand's visual identity , reinforcing your brand image and professionalism.

Watch the tutorial video below to learn about saving your brand assets under the My Brand aread in Visme.

Template #4: Hiring Process Flowchart

This hiring process flowchart is an asset for your human resources team and makes it easier to understand the entire recruiting process.

Feel free to customize this template according to your unique needs. For example, you may want to use it to visualize a production process or another HR process. Also, you can seamlessly create a process map to represent and improve any procedure visually.

Template #5: Website Rebranding Flowchart

This website rebranding flowchart can help you make decisions faster by mapping out the various factors that go into making a particular decision.

You can customize this template for any other use, such as for helping sales reps make better decisions, and even change the design so it’s more in line with your company’s branding.

Template #6: Should I Check Email Flowchart

This fun flowchart template is attractive and functional. You can use it to visualize decision-making for your business or personal use.

Modify this template for your own use by editing the colors, text, shapes, background and more. Download it in high-quality image or PDF format to use on its own or add to other projects, or share online using a link or embed code.

Take your flowchart to the next level with Visme's dynamic text animation features . With a selection of eight different animation styles, you can bring your flowchart to life and captivate your audience's attention.

By strategically applying text animations to key elements or labels within your flowchart, you can effectively highlight important information, guide the viewer's focus, and improve your flowchart's overall quality and impact.

Template #7: Technology Flowchart

Use this flowchart template to help your employees or customers solve technology problems, such as a slow server or an unresponsive application.

This is a great flowchart idea to place on your website's help page, and then if it doesn't solve the problem, users can get in touch for additional support.

The user-friendly editing tools in Visme are the best way to make a flowchart that aligns with your brand. You can shorten or extend it to fit your diagramming needs.

Template #8: Circuit Block Diagram

Explain the basics of circuits better with this block diagram template. You can also use it as a data flow diagram for any other purpose.

The best thing about this template is you can make changes in the text, colors and design easily. Download it once you’re done and add it to other projects like reports.

And if you're looking to create detailed reports, Visme can assist you with that. With Visme's AI report writer , you can streamline the report creation process. It helps you generate first drafts that you can further customize with your own colors, text and branding and ensure a professional look that suits your project's needs.

Template #9: Social Media Flowchart

This how-to flowchart can help you explain the process of completing a task quickly and easily based on Yes or No decisions.

This particular template focuses on setting up social media channels, but you can modify it for any other topic, field or industry.

Use Visme's powerful analytics feature to track the performance of your flowchart and gain valuable insights into how users engage with the content. You will get access to the number of views, average time spent, unique visits, date/time of view, visitor IP, visitor location and more.

Utilize this information to evaluate user interactions, pinpoint areas that need improvement, and make informed decisions to enhance the efficiency of your flowcharts.

Template #10: Product Launch Flowchart

This bright and engaging flowchart template is all about planning a successful product launch day or event. It’s a great tool for keeping all the team members on the same page so everyone knows what to do and when.

You can keep this small business flowchart as is or modify everything — from the topic to text to colors to shapes and more.

In addition to the flowcharts, you can use decision trees for easy and logical decision making. Explore this comprehensive guide to learn more and get free decision tree templates .

Create Your Own Flowchart for Free

If you’re all prepped to create your own flowchart and you know what the common flowchart symbols are, it’s time to make your own flowchart.

Making a flowchart is an easy process if you have the right tools at your disposal.

Visme’s flowchart maker is a great alternative to Word, especially for beginners who want to quickly create flowcharts with minimum effort. It is also an excellent Visio alternative due to its ease of use and functionality.

Another benefit of using Visme is that you get access to professionally designed flowchart templates that are a treat to the eyes.

So, what are you waiting for? Happy diagramming!

Easily create a beautiful flowcharts in minutes with Visme

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About the Author

Mahnoor Sheikh is the content marketing manager at Visme. She has years of experience in content strategy and execution, SEO copywriting and graphic design. She is also the founder of MASH Content and is passionate about tea, kittens and traveling with her husband. Get in touch with her on LinkedIn .

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Blog Graphs and Charts How to Create a Flowchart in Seven Easy Steps

How to Create a Flowchart in Seven Easy Steps

Written by: Danesh Ramuthi Nov 28, 2023

Learn how to create a flowchart in just 7 steps in this article. From defining your flowchart’s purpose to customizing its appearance, each step is designed to streamline the process. 

Discover the various types of flowcharts to enhance your skill set. 

Begin creating your own using Venngage’s flowchart maker and a wide range of flowchart templates .

How to create a flowchart in seven steps?

Step 1: find out the purpose of your flowchart, step 2: outline key steps with appropriate symbols, step 3: arrange the elements correctly, step 4: link elements with lines and arrows, step 5: create the flowchart, step 6: test and enhance the flowchart as needed.

Step 7: Opt for a pre-designed template for ease

Creating a flowchart can be a straightforward yet powerful tool for visualizing processes, from simple tasks to complex workflows. Whether you’re mapping business processes, computer programming algorithms or project management steps, a well-structured flowchart can transform complex processes into easy-to-understand diagrams. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you start creating effective flowcharts.

The first step in creating a flowchart is to determine its purpose. This is crucial as it influences the type of flowchart you’ll use and the level of detail required. There are various flowchart types, each suited for different needs:

• Process flowchart : Often used to map out the steps in a process, making it ideal for understanding and improving business processes.
• Workflow Diagrams : These focus on the movement of tasks or data through various stages, useful in optimizing workflows.
• Data flow diagrams (DFD) : Primarily used in software development, DFDs illustrate how data flows through a system.
• Swimlane diagram : This type is useful for showing how different departments or roles contribute to a process.

Understanding the main flowchart types helps in choosing the right format for your needs, whether it’s a basic flowchart for simple tasks or a complex flowchart for detailed processes.

Once you’ve identified the purpose of your flowchart, the next step is to outline the process steps. It involves identifying all the components of the process and representing them with common flowchart symbols . These symbols serve as the visual representation of the process steps and are key to making the flowchart easy to understand.

Common flowchart symbols include:

• Oval : Represents the start and end points.
• Rectangle : Used for a standard process step.
• Diamond Shape : Denotes a decision point.
• Parallelogram : Indicates input or output.
• Arrow : Shows the direction of the flow.

Different flowchart symbols serve various purposes and understanding what each symbol represents is crucial in accurately mapping out the process. In tools like Microsoft Word, Google Docs or online flowchart makers, you can easily access these symbols from the shape menu. Additionally, flowchart templates can be a great starting point, offering a blank canvas with basic shapes to drag and drop as needed.

By correctly using these symbols, you can create flowcharts that are not only visually appealing but also provide a clear and concise visual representation of complex processes, ensuring that all stakeholders are on the same page.

Arranging the elements correctly is another important step in how to create a flowchart. At this stage, various flowchart symbols and shapes are placed in a logical order to reflect the actual process flow.

In this step, it’s important to ensure that all components of the process – from manual input to data flow and decision points – are represented using the correct flowchart symbols. Common shapes like rectangles, diamonds and arrows are used to denote different stages of the process.

For instance, a diamond shape is typically used as a decision symbol, indicating a point in the process where a decision must be made.

Next, link the elements with lines and arrows. Start by connecting the various shapes (which represent process steps) to depict the flow of the process. Arrows, in particular, are essential in a flowchart as they indicate the direction of the process flow.

Ensure that these lines and arrows point in the right direction and clearly demonstrate the sequence of steps in the process. Proper linking of elements helps in creating a flowchart that is easy to follow and understand, especially for complex processes.

Once you are done with linking the element, proceed with reviewing and finalizing the diagram. Here you need to ensure that every process step is correctly represented and linked, and the overall design is coherent and logical. It’s often helpful to share the draft flowchart with others for feedback, especially those who are unfamiliar with the process, to ensure that it’s easily understandable.

Once the flowchart is finalized, it can be saved and shared with the intended audience. Most flowchart software allows you to save the document in various formats, making it easy to share on different platforms. 

Testing and enhancing your flowchart is a critical step to ensure its effectiveness. This involves reviewing the flowchart to verify that it accurately represents the process and is easy to understand for the intended audience. Here’s how you can approach this:

• Review for clarity : Examine the flowchart to ensure that each step is clearly represented and easy to follow. This includes checking the flowchart symbols, the order of steps and the overall design.
• Feedback collection : Share the flowchart with colleagues or those familiar with the process. Their insights can reveal areas that might need more clarification or simplification.
• Iterative improvements : Based on the feedback, make necessary adjustments. This might involve rearranging steps, refining the use of flowchart symbols or simplifying complex parts of the diagram.
• Consistency check : Ensure that all parts of the flowchart are consistent in terms of symbols, terminology and layout. It is especially crucial for complex flowcharts or those depicting business processes or data flow diagrams.

Using pre-designed templates can significantly simplify the process of creating a flowchart, especially for those who are new to this or are dealing with complex processes. Here’s why and how to use them:

• Time-saving : Templates provide a ready-made structure, which can save time and effort, especially when dealing with standard processes or common business scenarios.
• Customizability : Many templates, such as those offered by Venngage, are customizable. This allows you to adjust the template to fit your specific needs while maintaining a professional look.
• Consistency and professionalism : Templates are designed to be visually appealing and consistent, which adds a level of professionalism to your flowcharts.
• Accessibility : Most online flowchart makers, including Microsoft Word and Google Docs, offer a range of flowchart templates. These can be easily accessed and used as a starting point for your flowchart.
• Versatility : Whether you’re creating a basic process map, a swimlane flowchart or a data flow diagram, there’s likely a template that suits your needs.

Related: How to Make a Flowchart in Microsoft Word in 2023

What are the types of flowchart?

Flowcharts are versatile tools, with each type designed to address specific aspects of processes and decision-making. The most common types include the Process Flowchart, ideal for outlining business or operational processes and the Decision Flowchart, which is focused on mapping out decision-making paths and their potential outcomes. 

For organizational tasks, the Workflow Flowchart is key, showing how tasks and data move through a system, while the Swimlane Flowchart is perfect for delineating responsibilities across different departments. Further specialized types include the Use Case Flowchart, often used in software development to depict interactions with a system and the EPC Flowchart, which models business processes by highlighting events, functions and connectors. 

The System or Program Flowchart is crucial in programming, detailing the control flow in systems or algorithms and the Data or Document Flowchart is used to illustrate how data is managed within a system.

For a more in-depth exploration of these flowchart types and to see practical examples, check out this detailed article on Venngage on types of flowchart. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to learn more about the different flowcharts and their applications.

Related: 7 Best Flowchart Software for 2023

Drawing things to a close

Perfectly outlining the fundamental steps, the article demonstrated how to create a flowchart, an indispensable tool for visualizing and simplifying both simple and complex processes

Starting with identifying the purpose of your flowchart, you have learned how to outline the key steps using appropriate symbols, arrange elements correctly, link them with lines and arrows, and finally, create the flowchart.

Moreover, I have briefly explained the different types of flowcharts, each serving specific purposes, from decision-making to data flow visualization. Understanding these types enables you to select the most suitable type for your specific needs, whether in project management, software development or business process modeling.

Flowcharts are powerful tools for breaking down and communicating complex information in a clear, concise manner

Ready to start creating your flowchart? Explore Venngage’s flowchart maker and a wide array of customizable flowchart templates to bring your ideas to life with ease.

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