The 'Best of the Best' Process Map Format

[Marc]

Not yet. Right now I have a clent which has had the same flow charted procedures from back in 1992-3. They're overly simple for 'today' and they're QS going to TS. So - I've been looking at different formats - There's one I found here once I really, really like but of course can't find it now.

I'm looking at SmartDraw, which this is in. I have large tables right now but mainly for 'place holders. It's mainly a concept document at this point. It's easy to put in tables so I was thinking small tables to the sides at each flow chart block. I definitely want to have a 'Key' somewhat like what is at the bottom.

I am looking at what Sidney V and Jonell posted and hope some more are posted. I'm also going through the attachments list and have downloaded most of what I have found there. Since I started this thread, I will try to find time to put some links to some I have downloaded in this thread soon.

The bottom line is I want to take a good look before I settle on a format. The format they currently use I helped set up back in 1992 and it has lasted almost 12 years. I want the format I come up with to (hopefully) last at least 10 years and will be 'acceptable' for TS 16949.

These will mainly be level 2 and some level 3's. They use a software package for floor level work instructions which I'm ambivalent about and they don't plan to change those.

[engjane]

This is a diagram I received from a friend that I think is pretty good albeit in Excel (which I know Marc is not so hooked on but for us mere mortals, Microsoft is the only way)
I like the colour coding and the use of references to documents – its hard to visualize without information you’ll have to trust me that it looks good.

Maybe its not the most standardised format but I hope it can give someone an idea, as it did for me (thanks DeAnne!)

Jane

[Marc]

Thanks! BTW - I'm not opposed to Excel per se. I use it for a lot of things, have for years. In fact, it was out for the Mac before it was for the PC and I was using it back then. I scoffed at Lotus 123. I realize every company is different and every situation has different requirments. In this case I'm looking at SmartDraw because the company still uses Winflow - a very basic program. And only a couple of people in the company will use it. SmartDraw is relatively cheap (about US$150 for a single license for the 'full blown' package), is fully Office compatable, and their IS people do 'special' software buys and installations without bickering. It even has an excellent mind mapping capability.

Actually I like Powerpoint's flow charting tools. I do draw the line at flow charts in Word... I frown on that. But - I've seen a lot of people use Word for flow charts and they're well done. My bias is due to my lack of skills with Word when it comes to doing drawings.

[Chris Willis]

Thanks a bunch Jane,

Our auditor was singing the praises of turtle diagrams at the last audit, and I have never seen one before.

I just love this place as an information exchange.

This is my own attempt at a flow diagram, but having seen some of the attached I think they may be changing.

Note: to view correctly you need to expand it to full size

[Joe Cruse]

Marc,

here is an example of a flow chart I set up using SmartDraw for one of our lab instruments. I'm not sure if this is what you were thinking of or not. I got the idea for the format from a software flyer I saw, and decided to use the format to do flow charts for some of our lab equipment process flows.

[Marc]

Thanks for the post. Nice format. Digital cameras are all over this company so that's a thought. They do already use pictures in all of their floor level work instructions.

One of the key things I plan on is columns for 'owner', input(s) and output(s) because for the level 2's those will be a focus.

[qualitygoddess - 2010]

I vote for MS Visio for any flowcharting/process maps. It is more complicated to use than SmartDraw. I like to include digital pics whenever possible. I'm still one of those people that likes to write every word down, and then provide a flowchart at the beginning, to outline the basic steps in the process.

I'm just starting to switch this new client over to flowcharts. They had flow diagrams in place about 4 years ago, changed their processes, but not the diagrams.

Marc, your attached diagram was interesting. I hope you will share the final version!

[ASQ_Web_Offerings_CN]

In Reply to Parent Post by qualitygoddess

I vote for MS Visio for any flowcharting/process maps.

I second the MS Visio, it is essential for our workgroup process map, and the site maps that I do on the web development side here at ASQ. Our IT also uses visio to map out our network, and data transfer process. It is a very flexible platform, and widely used for charts, diagrams, and process flow.