Page 285 - Six Sigma Demystified

Part 3 s i x s i g m a to o l s 265

Flowchart

A flowchart is a simple graphic tool for documenting the series of steps neces-
sary for the activities in a process.

When to Use

Measure Stage
• Document as-is process
• Uncover varied shareholder perceptions

Analyze Stage
• Discover process complexities that contribute to variation or longer cycle
times

Improve Stage

• Communicate proposed changes

Control Stage

• Document revised process

Methodology

In a flowchart, each task is represented by a symbol. The American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) provides a list of symbols that are intended

primarily for computing processes but that most practitioners find useful—
rectangles for most process tasks and diamonds for decision tasks. Decisions
should have only two outcomes (yes or no), so decision points must be
phrased in this manner.
We can use a flowchart to document the current (as-is) process. Use symbol
color or shape to indicate process delays, functional responsibility for each step
(e.g., yellow is customer service), or points in the process where measurements
are taken.

Interpretation

A quick review of the as-is process using a flowchart usually can uncover com-
plexities in the form of an excessive number of decision points and branches