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A great business needs a great many things in order to succeed – strong leadership, a competitive advantage, and a unique vision among them. However, one element that could make or break a business is its process (or lack thereof).
A clear, repeatable process has two major hurdles to a successful implementation in a business. Number one is the development of that process, and number two is getting buy-in from stakeholders on that process. That said, the best way to overcome both of these potential roadblocks is to transparently and logically outline a process.
Many businesses use flowcharts to accomplish this task, as flowcharts:
- Visually outline a process roadmap for a full-scope understanding, and…
- Can be easily digested by employees who need to know and follow the process.
To help you create actionable flowcharts for your organization, we’ve listed the eight best flowchart templates for you to download and start using today to create a better process in any area of your business.
Let’s dive in.
![→ Access Now: 8 Business Flowchart Templates [Free Tool]](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/53/46d3b1c7-3e3b-4386-b78e-8b57f6d95750.png)
What is a flowchart?
A flowchart is a visual map to help explain a process for decision making, achieving results, or projecting an outcome. Flowcharts begin at a starting point on the graphic, and as users follow through it, they will choose one of several outcomes or options until reaching the end of the process.
In business, flowcharts might be used for any of the following purposes:
- Team alignment and process
- Email nurturing
- Customer journey mapping
- Customer or employee onboarding
- A/B testing
- QA-ing work
- Career progression
- Customer support
Here are eight templates and examples of flowcharts for business – each one comes with a download link for you to start using that template right on Google Slides.
8 Flowchart Examples for Business
1. Basic Process Flowchart Template
The basic flowchart template is the ideal solution for those just getting started with flowcharts. The template allows its designers to specify a starting point, two potential outcomes, and then the resulting aftermath of those decisions. Due to its limitations, this flowchart template might be best suited for basic processes, like a simple A/B test.
Flowchart Example: Basic Process Flowchart
This template visualizes how a user visiting a company’s landing page could convert and become a lead.
Who should use this flowchart?
This flowchart is helpful for those looking to design an A/B test to determine the most way to get the results they’re looking for.
What We Like About This Flowchart Template
The basic process flowchart is easy to use and follow and is ideal for documenting straightforward or simple processes.
2. Swim Lane Flowchart Template
The swim lane flowchart template is for dividing up the steps of a process into different sectors. For your business, these different sectors could be time periods, teams, employees, or work requirements.
Flowchart Example: Swim Lane Flowchart
In the example above, the swimlanes are divided by department to illustrate the process of the customer journey.
Who should use this flowchart?
Swim lane flowcharts are particularly helpful for those who oversee cross-functional processes.
What We Like About This Flowchart Template
This template visualizes the different process steps that take place across multiple organizations.
3. Task Flowchart Template
A task flowchart template is differentiated by what each shape on the flowchart represents. This format is beneficial when multiple teams’ work is intertwined throughout the process, as individuals can easily discern the tasks for which they are responsible. These responsibilities are noted in a key on the flowchart for a quick reference.
The shapes can also represent different types of action.
Flowchart Example: Landing Page Flowchart
In the example above, the different shapes represent the start of, end of, and actions taken during the process of viewing a landing page. This task flowchart example follows an “if this then that” format, showing the various outcomes that could occur when a potential customer visits a landing page.
Who should use this flowchart?
Project managers looking to keep track of various tasks and their outcomes.
What We Like About This Flowchart Template
The task flowchart visually depicts how various contributions to a product support the end result. Each stakeholder can see how their tasks impact the flow of the project.
4. Complex Flowchart Template
For a flowchart that doesn’t need gridlines or different shapes, this template is the best solution. It provides the option for multiple endpoints depending on which steps are taken through the process.
Flowchart Example: Hiring Flowchart
The above hiring visual is an example of a complex flowchart that has various events and potential outcomes.
Who should use this flowchart?
Teams looking to manage processes that could have various endpoints or projects that have multiple steps and stakeholders involved.
What We Like About This Flowchart Template
Complex processes can be difficult to keep track of. This flowchart template creates an intuitive visual for multi-step processes.
5. Circular Flowchart Template
The circular flowchart template changes things up with a different shape, but it also provides a different path structure.
Flowchart Example: Social Media Flowchart
For example, in the image above, the template can be used as a decision-making framework. Here, it’s used to help a social media manager determine which site should be used to post content on.
Who should use this flowchart?
Social media managers, product marketers, and content strategists may find this template suits their needs.
What We Like About This Flowchart Template
This template has a cleaner appearance than some of the more complex templates and may be better for visual learners.
6. Linear Flowchart Template
A linear flowchart template is a solution for when there’s really only one optimal result, and every step of the process will either lead someone to that outcome or result in the process simply ending.
Flowchart Example: Email Nurturing Flowchart
One example – highlighted above – might be for a nurture stream. In the image, the process ends whether someone signs up for an event or not.
Who should use this flowchart?
Email marketing specialists, sales teams.
What We Like About This Flowchart Template
With one singular goal, this flowchart format has a clear beginning and end.
7. Tree Flowchart Template
A tree-style flowchart template makes the most sense for situations where there are multiple options and when each option has a clear and distinct next step.
Flowchart Example: Phone Tree Flowchart
This example depicts the various options and next steps a caller can take when contacting a business via telephone.
Who should use this flowchart?
For businesses, this flowchart would be perfect for the support department – which can use this template to map out responses from automated chat support or (as outlined above) a phone tree.
What We Like About This Flowchart Template
Each action has a clear next step and a predetermined outcome.
8. Organizational Flowchart Template
The final flowchart businesses might want to utilize is an organizational flowchart (or org chart) template.
Flowchart Example: Organizational Flowchart
While not exactly procedural, this visualization helps those within the company quickly understand who reports to whom and who is responsible for what.
Who should use this flowchart?
This template is utilized by the heads of a company and/or a department to outline the chain of command in an area of the business. It can also be used by Human Resources teams to inform team structure and organizational decisions.
What We Like About This Flowchart Template
Users can see how a team is structured at-a-glance, and can quickly determine who they need to go to for their project or to have their questions answered.
Business Flowchart Templates
Business flowchart templates are the fastest and easiest way to build flowcharts. All of the above templates are downloadable by clicking here and are completely customizable when it comes to shape, format, color, and imagery.
Download the templates for free to better illustrate and communicate processes in your company.
Originally published Nov 26, 2021 7:00:00 AM, updated November 26 2021
