Interview Questions for Business Analysts and Systems Analysts


Recent Interview Questions | Search | Subscribe (RSS)

?
INTERVIEW QUESTION:

What is a Flowchart Diagram?

Posted by Adrian M.

Article Rating // 19760 Views // 0 Additional Answers & Comments

Categories: Domain Modeling, SDLC, Process, and Methodologies

ANSWER

A flowchart diagram or just flowchart is a term generically used to refer to a diagram which shows the flow of a process (step by step).  More specifically a flowchart refers to a very specific type of structured workflow diagram which has been adopted by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) and updated in 1985 with ISO 5807.

The flowchart is very similar in uses and functions as the UML activity diagram and the BPMN process diagram.

The flowchart diagram is drawn using a set of standard flowchart symbols including:

Symbol Name

Visual Depiction

Description

Flow line

Flowchart Flowline The flowline represents the standard connector of the rest of the symbols in a flowchart.  It is terminated with an arrow to show the direction of the flow/process (generally top to bottom or left to right).

Terminal

Flowchart Terminal This flowchart symbol represents either the beginning of the flow or the end of the flow.  A flowchart should have only one beginning symbol.

Process

Flowchart Process The process flowchart symbol represents an action or activity which takes place at the given step in the process. Generally used to depic an action which takes place in the system or which uses the system.

Predefined Process

Flowchart Pre-defined Process The flowchart pre-defined process symbol depicts the fact that this step is decomposed in detail in a different diagram or page. If a given sub-process or segment of a process is reused, it can be defined once and then specified again using the pre-defined process symbol.

Decision

Flowchart Decision The flowchart decision symbol is very similar to the decision symbol of other diagraming techniques and issued to show where a given process or flow can split  into two or more branches based on a decision condition.

Input or Output

Flowchart Input or Output This flowchart symbol depicts that at this point in the flow data is either entred into the process/system or data is being output from the process/system.

Manual Input

Flowchart Manual Input The manual input flowchart symbol is used to show that a human is performing data entry or providing information to the system.

Data file or Database

Flowchart Database or Data File The database flowchart symbol is used to depict storage of data (it could be a database, a file, etc.) and it could be used either to read data from or write data to.

Document

Flowchart Document The document flowchart symbol represents a single document (ex: PDF, Word, etc.) used within the flow being documented.  If multiple documents are used, multiple document symbols can be overimposed and slightly offset.

Manual Operation

Flowchart Manual Operation The manual operation flowchart symbol is used to show that a user performs a manual operation within the flow which is other than simply data input.

On-page Connector

Flowchart On-Page Connector When a flowchart becomes too complicated and flowlines cross each other, an on-page connector can be used to show where to connect next without crossing lines.

Off-page Connector

Flowchart Off-Page Connector When a flowchart becomes too large to fit on one page, the off-page connector symbol can be used to show where the flow leaves off on one page and then where it picks-up on a different page.
Initialization Flowchart Initialization The initialization symbol represents a step in the process (generally at the beginning) where a certain system routing or processed needs perform preparation/initialization activities.
 

When to use a Flowchart

Flowcharts are helpful whenever the problem domain you are tackling involves process or workflow or whenever you are trying to depict a structured step-by-step process.

Some example instances when a flowchart would be beneficial:

  • Document the “as-is” or “to-be” business processes.

  • Depict the logical flow of an algorithm which needs to be implemented.

  • Show how a user can interact with a system to achieve a desired objective.

  • Define the workflow for a given manual activity.

Alternative to Flowcharts

Since the advent of the flowchart, new modeling techniques and standards have been created and which, in many cases, have become more popular than the flowcharts, such as:

  • Data Flow Diagram

  • UML Activity Diagram

  • BPMN Process Flow Diagram

  • etc.

Example Flowchart

What is a Flowchart Diagram?

RATE THIS TOPIC

ADDITIONAL ANSWERS / COMMENTS

Only registered users may post comments.

Do your homework prior to the business analysis interview!

Having an idea of the type of questions you might be asked during a business analyst interview will not only give you confidence but it will also help you to formulate your thoughts and to be better prepared to answer the interview questions you might get during the interview for a business analyst position.  Of course, just memorizing a list of business analyst interview questions will not make you a great business analyst but it might just help you get that next job.

 



Upcoming Live Webinars

 




Select ModernAnalyst Content

Register | Login

Copyright 2006-2024 by Modern Analyst Media LLC