In Operations Management, process mapping is a critical tool used to visually represent the flow of materials, information, or tasks within a process.
It allows businesses to analyze, understand, and improve their processes.
Various standard symbols are used in process maps (or flowcharts) to represent different steps, actions, and elements within the process.
These symbols follow established conventions to ensure clarity and consistency.
Summary Table of Common Process Mapping Symbols:
| Symbol | Represents | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rectangle | Process | Task or activity |
| Diamond | Decision | Yes/No or conditional decision |
| Oval/Rounded Rectangle | Start/End | Process beginning or conclusion |
| Parallelogram | Input/Output | Materials or information entering or exiting |
| Triangle | Storage | Holding inventory or data |
| Arrow | Transport | Movement of materials or information |
| D-Shaped Box | Delay | Idle time or waiting time |
| Wavy Rectangle | Document | Document or report |
| Trapezoid | Manual Operation | Task performed manually |
| Circle (Connector) | Connector | Continuation of process (used to avoid clutter) |
| Circle with “X” | Inspection | Inspection or quality control |