Last Updated on March 25, 2025 by Owen McGab Enaohwo
Processes and procedures can often be boring and tedious to assimilate. To clarify your workflow, consider how beneficial flowcharts can be. A single flowchart can replace a 1,000-word explanation, and studies have shown they can improve comprehension by up to 85%!
Flowcharts can be seen as a business GPS, providing guidance and navigation while ensuring that organizational goals are met. Like the maps on your GPS, flowcharts help visualize the sequence of processes and clearly define all the essential phases.
Flowcharts are prevalent across many use cases and industries. If you want to interpret a process’s steps effectively, you can’t go wrong with a flow chart!
In this guide, we’ve broken down all you need about flowcharts. We’ve also provided 20+ customizable flowchart templates you can download for Word, Google Docs, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Automatically generate a flowchart for your business procedures—just sign up to SweetProcess to start.
Table of Contents
What Is the Purpose of a Flowchart Template?
25 Free Downloadable Flowchart Templates for Different Use Cases
How To Create and Manage Your Flowcharts Using SweetProcess
How Companies Are Using Flowcharts From SweetProcess for Their Workflow
Tips for Using Flowchart Templates
Streamline Your Organizational Flowcharts Using SweetProcess
What Is the Purpose of a Flowchart Template?
Flowcharts showcase the stages of implementing various processes and how they affect business decision-making. Since they graphically represent actionable steps, they can communicate complex processes, train teams, audit procedures, and troubleshoot issues.
Flowchart templates are pre-designed, adaptable diagrams to illustrate how a process should be performed. These templates come in various shapes and sizes, including diverse color schemes and layouts that can be customized.
The layout of your flow chart template can vary depending on the complexity of your project. A simple and minimalist design works well for straightforward tasks, while more complex tasks may require a detailed and intricate layout. The primary purpose of a flowchart template is simple—to logically represent processes, making them easier to comprehend.
A flowchart can look as simple as this for a routine process:
Simple flowchart template for event planning — Source: Template.net
However, a flow chart representing more sophisticated processes can have a complex layout like this:
Sales process mind map flowchart — Source: Canva
Nonetheless, as long as your flowchart software accurately depicts the sequence of steps within a process to facilitate understanding and improve efficiency, you’ve done a great job.
If you want to implement a flowchart for a business process, your ideal flowchart template should contain the following properties:
- Pre-designed structure
- Decision steps
- Action points
- Connectors
- Symbols and standardized elements
- Annotation
- Logical flow
Flowchart templates illustrate how to execute a specific procedure. Consequently, their designs differ based on their intended use. For example, a publishing company may utilize distinct flowchart templates for tasks such as manuscript reviews, book promotion, and royalty payments.
With flowchart templates handy, you won’t need to go through the hassle of creating flowcharts from scratch, as the templates are reusable and customizable.
25 Free Downloadable Flowchart Templates for Different Use Cases
With the proper flowchart templates, you can organize, plan, analyze, critique, and improve processes for your business. Not only will these templates enhance your business processes, but they are also necessary to clarify workflows and ensure everyone on your team is on the same page.
Check out these 25 free flowchart templates. You can download and customize the ones that best suit your needs.
1. Simple Flowchart Template
Source: Canva
Simple flowchart templates are invaluable tools for implementing basic tasks. These straightforward maps are helpful when initiating, managing, or executing a production or service offer. They can be utilized personally or for business purposes. A simple flowchart is typically characterized by direct arrows connecting sequential activities. By using these templates, companies can ensure adherence to the essential phases of their day-to-day business process model.
Download the Simple Flowchart Template
2. Horizontal Flowchart Template
Source: SlideModel
Horizontal flowchart templates illustrate linear processes (from left to right). This means you can use this template for tasks in your business that should be performed sequentially. This simple but effective flowchart template will help employees and colleagues efficiently tackle crucial tasks without skipping any stages.
Download the Horizontal Flowchart Template
3. If/Then Flowchart Template
Source: EDrawMax
If/then flowcharts make your business processes easier by breaking down a complex workflow into smaller actionable steps. An if/then flowchart considers subsequent steps based on positive or negative outcomes, ensuring the user is not stuck in the entire process. This problem-solving flowchart can help your employees and you (of course) plan for potential (what if) scenarios and make adjustments whenever necessary.
Download the If/Then Flowchart Template
4. Yes/No Flowchart Template
Source: SlideModel
Yes/No flowcharts help you make decisions for your business. This template can help you gain clarity when handling multiple-choice operations. Your ideal flowchart should provide a yes or no response to specific conditions to determine an appropriate outcome. Yes/no flowcharts are utilized for employee training, visualizing options, and optimizing workflows.
Download the Yes/No Flowchart Template
5. Process Flowchart Template
Source: TemplateLab
Process flowcharts like this outline the steps for addressing new challenges and assignments in your business operations. These templates outline the proper implementation of specific procedures from beginning to end, adhering to established protocols. By utilizing a workflow diagram process template, employees, team leaders, and stakeholders can follow tried-and-true steps to attain optimal results for a given task.
Download the Process Flowchart Template
6. Project Management Flowchart Template
Source: Canva
Managing and executing projects efficiently is no walk in the park. However, with a comprehensive template like this, your project managers can effectively launch, oversee, and wrap up their initiatives. This template clarifies the steps to correctly create, manage, review, and deliver a project.
Download the Project Management Flowchart Template
7. Manufacturing Flowchart Template
Source: TemplateLab
Defining the stages that transform a raw idea into a finished product is essential for manufacturing companies. A flowchart template like this will help ensure the production process step remains consistent, supporting quality maintenance and operational optimization. This template includes the standard channels of your production processes and branching stages for areas where you might consider making adjustments.
Download the Manufacturing Flowchart Template
8. Product Development Flowchart Template
Source: shenlong/Canva
A product development flowchart outlines the process of turning an idea into a viable, marketable product. Such flowcharts benefit various industries, including software, electronics, and toy manufacturing. This visual representation guide highlights essential processes, marks new milestones, and ensures all stakeholders are aligned throughout the development journey.
Download the Project Development Flowchart Template
9. Warehouse Process Flowchart Template
Source: Template.net
Creating a warehouse process flowchart is necessary for visually outlining the steps involved as goods move in and out of the facility. Running a warehouse involves managing several intricate processes, including purchasing, shipping, and storage. This template ensures that all items are tracked accurately, minimizing mistakes and streamlining the workflow.
Download the Warehouse Process Flowchart Template
10. Recruitment Flowchart Template
Source: EDrawMax
This recruitment flowchart template is a valuable tool for your recruiting team. It outlines the various stages of hiring new team members. Using this template, hiring managers can track new applicants’ data from all sources, review credentials, and conduct interviews.
Download the Recruitment Flowchart Template
11. Organizational Flowchart Template
Source: Canva
Clarify your company’s hierarchy from the CEO to the newest intern with this detailed organizational flowchart template. This layout can be used to train new employees while helping them understand the roles of everyone on the team. Additionally, team leads can use this template to understand their responsibilities better and effectively manage their assigned areas.
Download the Organizational Flowchart Template
12. Emergency Response Flowchart Template
Source: EDrawMax
Emergency response flowcharts help organizations manage unexpected situations effectively. Schools, restaurants, hospitals, and recreational centers use templates like this to guide workers on the following steps when a crisis breaks out. This flow chart template provides steps for quick response, evacuation, and de-escalation.
Download the Emergency Response Flowchart Template
13. Email Marketing Flowchart Template
Source: SmartSheets
Getting leads and customers for your business is a delicate process mapping. Illustrate your proven marketing approaches with a defined flowchart template to encourage prospect retention and help your team track the journey of each new lead.
Download the Email Marketing Flowchart Template
14. Sales Call Flowchart Template
Source: Template.net
Creating a clear roadmap for your sales calls is vital to improving performance, reducing errors, and training new team members. This straightforward sales call template outlines a proven process flow diagram for approaching calls with new prospects. It ensures that callers are well-prepared and that time is not wasted on unqualified leads.
Download the Sales Call Flowchart Template
15. Decision-Making Flowchart Template
Source: TemplateLab
Decision-making is a routine aspect of our lives, both in business and personally. This flowchart example illustrates an effective method for selecting the best option from a list of high-quality choices. Using this approach, you can evaluate and compare the available options, ultimately arriving at the choice that best meets your needs. This template is similar to a yes/no flowchart; however, decision flowcharts eliminate options by carefully reviewing them rather than relying solely on previously proven answers before progressing to the next step.
Download the Decision-Making Flowchart Template
16. HR Process Flowchart Template
Source: Hannah Park/Canva
This effective HR template defines the approaches for screening and hiring new employees, considering critical “yes” or “no” scenarios. It can be tweaked to accommodate other HR responsibilities, such as employee relations, compliance, payroll, and training.
Download the HR Process Flowchart Template
17. Onboarding Process Flowchart Template
Source: TemplateLab
A well-structured onboarding process flowchart is an effective tool for illustrating the progress of each new team member and determining when they are fully prepared to contribute productively to your business after completing their training. This flowchart should outline the standard onboarding procedures, including process map, contract signing, demonstrations, orientation, and introductions to team leads.
Download the Onboarding Process Flowchart Template
18. Task Flowchart Template
Source: TemplateLab
This task flow template, also known as a work instruction template, is designed to help the user visualize the process of completing a given task. Each step includes a description and relevant resources to ensure team members avoid common issues while delivering their tasks on time and effectively. You can use this template to assign work to individual employees or teams.
Download the Task Flowchart Template
19. Inventory Flowchart Template
Source: Canva
Tracking goods is crucial for manufacturing, logistics, and retail businesses. An inventory flowchart depicts the movement of each shippable item from procurement to distribution. It also shows the processes involved in recordkeeping and proper storage. With this template, businesses can pinpoint bottlenecks in managing goods, eliminate them, and streamline processes for increased efficiency.
Download the Inventory Management Flowchart Template
20. HACCP Flowchart Template
Source: EDrawMax
Hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) flowcharts are essential for ensuring safety in the food business. These flow diagrams visually depict the journey of raw food materials to finished ready-to-consume products. The stages in your template may include sourcing, processing, packaging, and distribution. An HACCP flowchart is crucial in identifying potential hazards in your food-making process and is considered a preliminary step before applying HACCP principles.
Download the HACCP Flowchart Template
21. Employee Flowchart Template
Source: TemplateLab
Employee flowcharts help organize your team and maintain efficiency. This flowchart represents how tasks and communications should be transmitted within a team. It also ensures everyone is familiar with their roles and understands to whom they are accountable. It also serves as a valuable reference for new employees to understand standard procedures.
Download the Employee Organizational Chart Template
22. Communication Flowchart Template
Source: TemplateLab
Use this template to map out your business’s communication processes. A communication flowchart helps outline the steps in transmitting information effectively within an organization, preventing delays, inefficiencies, and repetition.
Download the Communication Flowchart Template
23. SOP Flowchart Template
Source: TemplateLab
Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are fundamental for organizations across all industries. They play a crucial role in various areas, from managing budgets and conducting audits to developing effective marketing strategies. An SOP flowchart is a valuable tool that outlines standard procedures in a clear, step-by-step format, ensuring that all due processes are followed when executing critical tasks.
Download the SOP Flowchart Template
24. Clinical Trial Flowchart Template
Source: EDrawMax
This template breaks down complex clinical trial tasks into more manageable chunks. It allows you to assign responsibilities to team members, allocate resources, and adhere to regulatory protocol. The template also considers data collection and analysis crucial to successful clinical trials.
Download the Clinical Trial Flowchart Template
25. Logic Model Flowchart Template
Source: TemplateLab
If you plan to launch a new program or initiative for your business, a logic model flowchart is a valuable resource. It is designed to illustrate how a concept can work by directly linking input activities to expected outcomes. This way, there is a clear representation of how to make planning more effective. Depending on your project, your logic model flowchart should contain sections for input resources, actionable steps, long or short-term outputs, and overall impact.
Download the Logic Model Flowchart Template
How To Create and Manage Your Flowcharts Using SweetProcess
Building the ideal flowcharts for your business starts with documenting your processes and procedures. SweetProcess is an efficient workflow management tool that enables managers, employees, and teams to collaborate and access resources for tasks and procedures.
With SweetProcess, building unique automated flowcharts for all processes is more effortless. It only requires a couple of easy steps to set up.
Kindly, sign up for a free SweetProcess account and log in.
Document Your Company’s Procedures and Processes Manually
1. Once you’re logged in, head to “Create Procedure” at the top right corner of the page.
2. Enter your desired title for your procedure.
3. Assign your new procedure to the appropriate team by clicking “Add to teams.”
4. Click on “Continue” to document your new procedure.
5. Tap the name of your new procedure to edit and add more details.
6. Now, add other important details about your procedure (tags, links, and descriptions).
7. Don’t forget to finalize your work. Click “Approve” to make it go live and accessible to the assigned team(s). Creating a new process for yourself or a team is also straightforward.
8. On the SweetProcess homepage, click “More” on the top menu bar.
9. Now, select “Processes” from the list of options in the drop-down menu.
10. Click “Create a Process” to start documenting.
11. Similar to setting up a new procedure, you can add your process title, assign it to a team, or input process details. When you’re done, remember to approve the new procedure.
Create Your Company’s Procedures and Processes Using AI
If you need help creating your new process or procedure, the SweetProcess AI, dubbed SweetAI, is there for you. It’s easy to use and can also suggest titles for your processes and procedures.
Here’s how to use artificial intelligence when creating a new procedure.
In the “Create a Procedure” page, simply input your title and click “Write With SweetAI” to automatically generate a complete procedure with actionable steps and descriptions.
Generate Flowcharts From Your Company’s Procedures and Processes
Procedures and processes are easier to comprehend when presented in flowcharts. Within teams, flowcharts provide visual interpretations of already established processes, making implementations easier as everyone is on the same page.
When you document your organization’s processes and procedures with SweetProcess, you automatically generate a concise flowchart with all the details for performing tasks within your workflow.
Here’s how to generate a flowchart for your business needs with SweetProcess:
1. After using SweetAI, or manually documenting your procedures or processes, scroll down to view the automatically generated flowchart.
2. If you’re satisfied with the look of your new flowchart, click the “Print” button to download it.
Assign Tasks to Team Members
Now that your processes and procedures are all set up, it’s time to share your work with your team to set your new process in motion.
1. Go to your procedures and policies menu, click the three-dot icon and select “Assign as Task” from the pop-up menu.
2. You can also assign new tasks within the page of your new procedures or processes. Click the “Actions” button at the top right corner and select “Assign as Task.”
3. Now, you can assign tasks to individual members or teams. You can also assign single stages of your process to one or more teammates to ensure that the task is handled by the right person(s).
4. Conclude assigning by inputting due dates for the task. For periodic tasks, you can set the assigned tasks as recurring so the assignee is constantly reminded of when to handle their responsibilities.
How Companies Are Using Flowcharts From SweetProcess for Their Workflow
SweetProcess is an indispensable tool for savvy business owners across several industries looking for reliable ways to refine workflows and improve in-house collaborations. What’s more? Stakeholders and teams rely on our solution to reduce the stress of everyday tasks through improved process documentation and detailed flowcharts.
Next7 IT: Migrating From MS Word to SweetProcess
SweetProcess became a game changer for Next7 IT, a business management company focused on IT security and technology. While this company excelled at exceeding its clients’ expectations, it ran into sandpits when it came to effective process documentation. The result? Resources got muddled, collaboration became a nightmare, and project delivery time lengthened.
Don Houk, the president of Next7, described the situation as an “indexing nightmare.” He and his 13-person team had been documenting their work using Microsoft Word. However, after an arduous search, Next7 desperately needed a big switch, so SweetProcess was vetted as their best bet.
Now, Houk and his team at Next7 IT enjoy a more flexible and efficient workflow. They rely on SweetProcess to document processes, onboard new employees, and ensure consistent service delivery.
Read more about how Next7 IT leveraged SweetProcess for their business.
Spark Marketer: From Nonexistent Knowledge Base to Supercharged Workflow Excellence
Spark Marketer, a Nashville-based marketing agency, ran its operations without a proper knowledge base for procedures. Employees had difficulty keeping up with expectations without a resource hub for guidance. This situation led to underperformance in several areas, causing a domino effect. Employees had to be let go without properly being told their flaws.
With the help of a business consultant, Carter Hatkins, the co-founder of Spark Marketer, was told that his agency desperately needed a tool for SOPs and collaboration. After using Google Docs for a while, Carter and his team switched to SweetProcess.
Today, Spark Marketer now has access to decentralized knowledge bases, seamless employee training, and simplified process documentation.
Learn how Spark Marketer improved business confidence with SweetProcess.
Types of Flowcharts
The format of a flowchart varies depending on the concept it represents. Differences can be seen in the arrangement of symbols, color schemes, and the level of detail presented.
Here are some standard flowchart classifications and how they are used.
1. Process Charts
Source: Template.net
As the name suggests, process charts, or flow diagrams, showcase a process’s organization, which is usually sequential. Manufacturing, IT, medical, and events management companies use process charts. They are also used for training purposes or to illustrate how individual parts of a machine relate to one another.
2. Decision Trees
Source: Template.net
Have you ever needed to make a particular change in your business but got overwhelmed by the myriad options? Decision trees are a type of flowchart that helps you properly evaluate your options and decide on the best fit. These diagrams break down your options by accessing the potential outcomes, costs, and risk factors. Some forms of decision trees are yes/no flowcharts, branching decision trees, and influence diagrams.
3. Swimlanes
Source: Template.net
Swimlanes are the ideal flowcharts for handling cross-departmental projects. Like a pool with different lanes for each swimmer, swimlane flowcharts illustrate how tasks are transmitted from one team to another during the implementation of a process. This type of flowchart reflects the sequence of a process from start to finish while highlighting which individual or team is responsible for each new step. Swimlanes are used to model sales workflow, onboard new teammates, or audit internal procedures.
4. Data Flow Diagrams
Source: Template.net
Data is like the fuel that powers every system. With data flow diagrams (DFD), you can visualize the flow of data within a specific system and evaluate how input variables affect output. Data flow diagrams are created for different reasons like improving communications, spotting bottlenecks, or assessing how data can move in a new program. DFDs are commonly used for software engineering, business management, or for illustrating databases.
5. Cause and Effect Diagrams
Cause-and-effect diagrams (CE diagrams) are a type of flowchart used to identify possible root causes of a situation. This systematic flowchart typically indicates all hypothetical triggers that might lead to an effect while interlinking the relationships between several potential causes. The effect is at the start of a CE diagram, which branches into several causes. This category of flowcharts is also referred to as fishbone or Ishikawa diagrams.
6. Organizational Charts
Source: TemplateLab
These flowcharts represent the hierarchy of a company’s internal structure. Also known as org charts, these diagrams highlight the relationships and roles of each member within an organization from the top. Org charts visualize a company’s overall management structure and can be narrowed down to smaller departments to reinforce responsibilities.
Tips for Using Flowchart Templates
Here are a few tips on creating and defining your flowcharts to better reflect their use cases.
Customize Your Flowchart
Enhance your flowcharts by incorporating elements such as arrows, boxes, or other symbols that improve clarity. Flowcharts become more visually appealing when the shapes are colored, particularly when using templates that contain a lot of detail. You can also customize your flow process chart to reflect your brand colors and even include your logo.
Have a Clear Strategic Objective for Your Flowchart
Before building a flowchart, start by defining the purpose and key steps of the process. You can refer to the process documentation to ensure you have all the necessary details. Refine your maps to ensure no complexities when executing the process. Since flowcharts are brief visual versions of a process, ensure the objectives are realistic and achievable.
Ensure That Every Element Serves a Purpose
Your flowchart should not resemble a blurry map cluttered with unnecessary symbols and annotations. When designing your flowchart, use the shapes according to their conventional purposes. For example, the oval shape in a flowchart represents the start or end of a process and should not be positioned in the middle of your diagram. Additionally, if a step is conditional or extraneous, clearly indicate it or remove it from your diagram.
Use Precise Language
Keep the annotations on your flowchart simple and direct. Avoid jargon or extra-long words. If your company uses abbreviations to represent specific processes or events, ensure they are used instead of their long-tail versions. This will keep your flowcharts clean and eliminate the possibility of misunderstanding.
Maintain a Consistent Design Style Throughout the Chart
When building your flowchart, it’s advisable to adhere to a consistent structure. Consistent use of colors and flowchart symbols enhances the diagram’s visual appeal and keeps it readable. This is also necessary, as specific chart designs must align with industry standards.
Highlight Critical Decision-Making Areas
Label the critical stages of your flowcharts properly by using symbols such as the diamond shape to signify decision points. Formatting cues like bold, italics, or a font change can also draw attention to key areas. Remember to include notes and annotations where more detail is needed to assist with implementation.
Add Interactive Elements to Your Flowcharts
Feel free to add multimedia elements such as images, GIFs, logos, and animations to your flowcharts. Depending on your tool, you can also include links to resources and other clickable buttons in your flowchart to enhance communication, expedite implementation, and clarify important phases.
Iterate and Refine the Flowchart Based on Feedback
Before making your flowchart available for company-wide use, run it by your superiors or stakeholders and ask them to provide feedback. You can refine your data flow diagram to include, remove, or edit stages when you receive feedback and opinions. After this, you can share your work as a resource for the right individual or team.
Streamline Your Organizational Flowcharts Using SweetProcess
Flowcharts enhance how you and your team handle both new and existing processes by fostering communication in visual formats. With flowcharts, employees and stakeholders can easily navigate daily tasks, become acquainted with how a program operates, and strengthen internal communications.
Every flowchart is a chance to improve clarity and get everyone on the same page. Since flowcharts are straightforward, complex steps can be broken down into smaller actionable phases. What’s more? Flowcharts effectively highlight bottlenecks, as you can quickly identify redundant steps when processes are presented in a graphical representation or visual layout.
Start creating flowcharts for your business with SweetProcess. Sign up and get all features FREE for 14 days.
