The Flowchart is one of the 7 basic quality control tools, as for everybody’s information the 7 basic quality tools are the tools for problem-solving situations, tracking, monitoring, and analyzing data.
According to CQE Hand book “95 percent of quality-related problems can be solved with seven fundamental qualitative tools.”
I have a deep interest in discussing here these quality tools because these might help address problems that might appear during the process of the work in construction or project site and eventually could be prevented.
Here is the first of seven (7) basic quality control tools.
1. Flowchart
A flowchart is a diagram that shows the step-by-step flow of operation to get a solution to a problem or to figure out the correct sequence of the process.
Flowchart is used in designing and documenting complex programs. It helps visualize what is going on and what will be processed, and people will better understand the process.
Here are the outputs of Flowchart.
A. Tracking the process flow
- Like the process flow of documents such as drawing, material submittal, and other related documents. The system of the project as well.
B. Helping with decision making
C. Highlighting the important steps
D. Depicting the structure of the process.
E. Understanding the system flow of the process.
Below is a sample Flowchart for the process of drawing distribution.
Flowchart
If you desire to make a flowchart, below are the symbols to consider.
Flowchart symbols
 | Rectangular Fillet | The general symbol used to indicate the beginning and end of the process. |
 | Parallelogram | The symbol Use to indicate the data. |
 | Diamond | The symbol that denotes a decision in the process. |
 | Rectangle | The general symbol use to depict the processing operation. |
 | Circle | Sometimes used to indicate the start and end of the process. |
 | Flow line | A line with an arrowhead is the symbol that shows the direction of the stages in a process. The flow line connects the elements of the process. |
In summary, a flowchart is useful in determining the workflow of processes such as material submittal, drawings for approval, communications, etc.
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