Flowcharting Tools

			Flowcharts are the tool of choice for understanding both 'standard' processes and individual projects.
	Layered Flowchart		The modern process flowchart is composed of multiple layers. Each succeeding layer digs down to a greater level of detail. This allows the same process description to be viewed in variety of ways, from the very abstract to the very detailed. A well-layered flowchart avoids cluttering the overall view with overly tactical detail. At the same time it documents standard tactics for those who must deliver them. Software that implements this layering approach to flowcharting is widely available. The best allows the user to click on an object to see the detail hidden within it.
	Current Reality Tree		An informal way to begin understanding any business process is the Current Reality Tree. The technique grabs all of the issues that are typically on practitioners' minds: the process as we currently do it, the blemishes we know about, and the way we would ideally do it. A Current Reality Tree looks for cause and effect relationships that underlie barriers in the current process. It does not seek to map the entire process. Typically a special symbol is used to show those problems that are deflecting the desired flow of the work.
	Functional Flowchart		Functional flowcharts delineate the streams of activities being carried out by different functions in the organization. Each function is assigned its own 'row' in the diagram. Hand-offs between functions become obvious and can be used to force the horizontal axis of the chart to reflect the timeline of a complex project. Hence, a Gantt chart for a particlar project evolves from this functional flowchart of the standard process.
	Many kinds of flowcharts have been used in describing business processes. See also Flowcharting Terms in the Jargon Glossary