Abstract

Simplified and well structured combinations of text and flowcharts can avoid the difficulties found in unnecessarily complex flowchart systems. Flowcharts can be vital elements of procedure documentation in ISO 9000 certification efforts. A usable flowchart system should have three characteristics. First, its graphics should be simple. It is sufficient to use just three shapes (diamond, oval, and rectangle) for steps plus a circle with capital letter for page connections plus one arrow style. Second, each piece of text within the flowchart should begin with a designation of responsibility (such as, �Receiving: receive asset�). This text should not be repeated in any other symbol in the flowchart, and the text need not be so complex as to completely define an action. Third, the text outside the flowchart should be in approximate chronological order. Its headers should be identical to the text in the corresponding flowchart step. Other suggestions for flowcharts include: using portrait not landscape format; running the general flow from top to bottom on each page; and drawing arrows that have smooth curves rather than sharp corners.