What Flowchart Software Do You Use for Procedures and other Documentation?

[Richard Flexton]

Howard, I used excel quite a lot before we got allclear but when I come to make changes the connections get lost and it just takes ages. I suppose if you have time it isn't an issue. My problem is: if it needs changing - I need it yesterday.

The other thing I've just got into is putting some data behind the boxes and then taking a look at the process by simulating it. Some of the results made me rethink what we do. I bought that analyser version off the web at about £350 - It saved me that on the first process analysis.

[Arte]

For all thanks for your comments about the software, I analized your replies and my opinion is that I get a trouble for simple solution, because I have to use the tool I have, but sometimes we choose the most difficult way
Regards
Arte

[Marc Richardson]

I have used Visio, Mpact and iGrafx Flowcharter (actual Process for Six Sigm.)

Visio: Cad-based, too much art-work, spend too much time futzing around with the picture.

Mpact: Expressly developed for APQP. If that's what you need it for and can come up with the bucks, this is the way I'd go.

Flowcharter: Good for process mapping. The process versions allow you to design and run simulations. Very powerful. I find flow charting faster with this product than Visio.

Marc Richarsdon

[Graeme]

At work, I use Visio because that is what the corporate IT dictators tell us we have to use. (I am a contract worker in a very tiny department of a very huge Fortune 100 corporation ... I don't have the horsepower to make those kind of waves!)

At home, I have used AllClear since version 1.something. I tend to think in text outline form, so for me the AllClear text input mode is ideal. (I can understand a picture, but please don't make me draw one!)

Graeme

[Howard Atkins]

As this thread has taken off again, I have added another option, that of the drawing tools in Office.

[David Hartman]

I have used MicroGrafx for years (began with ABC Flowcharter), and continue to use it when I have a choice. I have also been limited by IT to using either the limited capabilities of MsWord/Excel or Visio (although they continually complain about the cost of licensing for Visio).

My personal opinion of Visio is that although it is a very capable program, it is cumbersome and overburdened since it attempts to be a jack-of-all-trades (Block diagrams, Business diagrams, Database, Flowcharts, Maps, Network diagrams, etc.) - it ends up being a master of none.

I have not used any others so will remain silent on them at this time.

[WALLACE]

I'm trying out a very simple flowcharter called Paraben's flowcharter 4.15.
I agree with Dave regarding Visio yet, it does work well with MS office products.
Wallace.

[Mike S.]

I've only used Visio and Word/Excel. The latter is limited and a bit hard to use, but okay if you don't have too many to do and/or the flowcharts are relatively simple. Visio seems very powerful and was easy enough for a dummy like me to begin using it pretty well after just a hour or 2 of playing around. There may be other programs that are better, though I cannot say as I have not used them.