What is a Flow Chart ? Process Flow Diagram or Chart its use,PFC Symbol and Example 2026

What is a Flow Chart ? Process Flow Diagram or Chart its use, PFC Symbol and Example.

PFC is chart or diagrams that show us a clear picture of step by step process in sequential order. Or in simple words process flow chart or diagram is a chart or sheet which shows us the step wise process of making a part/component from material inward to dispatch. Developing a flow chart is one of the best activity for process Improvement effort.

Process Flow Chart/Diagram is one of the important 7 QC Tools, as everyone knows 7QC tools are used for problem solving, monitoring and analysing the process data. It is true in an organisation 95% quality related problem is resolved by using 7QC Tools.

Flow Chart are mainly used in industrial Engineering (IE) to structure the step wise process, but today flowchart are used in other purpose in manufacturing, chemical, engineering, education, science and government etc.

What is Quality Core Tools? – 5 Core Tools Explained

There are different types of flow chart like Process Flow Diagram, Workflow Diagram, Yes/No Flow Charts, and Data Flow Diagram etc.

Use and purpose of Flow Chart

A Process Flow Chart/Diagram has multiple use and purposes as below

• For Planning a New Project
• For Process Documentation
• For Process Improvement Study
• To show everyone how involved in process that how the process and part is manufacturer
• For Audit a process to avoid inefficiencies
• To create a new process
• To avoid unnecessary steps and bottleneck from any process
• To standardise a process for repeatability
• To remove and identify non-value adding operations
• To understand the flow of an process
• It helps us for decision making
• It highlights the important step of any process
• In this chart we are using define process symbol

Used Symbols For Making a Process Flow Chart or Diagram

 Example of Detailed Process Flow Chart
In every organisation Process Flow Chart or diagram template is 
different as per there product categories but the used Process 
flow symbol is commonly same in every types of industry here 
we show you two types of product Process Flow Chart template.
Make sure your operation number and name is same in all linked
PPAP Document like Process Flow Chart, Control Plan and Process 
Failure Mode and Effect Analysis.
7 QC Tools Explained with Examples

Details Process Flow Diagram of a Painted Steel Bracket

Process Flow Chart Template

Kaizen Continuous Improvement

Frequently Asked Questions-FAQ 

1. What is a Flow Chart ?

A flow chart is a visual diagram that shows the step-by-step flow of a process using symbols like boxes, arrows, and decision points. It helps in understanding, analysing, and improving processes easily.

2. What is the purpose of a flow chart ?

The main purpose of a flow chart is to simplify complex processes, improve efficiency, identify problems, and enhance communication.

3.  Is a flow chart part of quality core tools ?

Yes, a flow chart is widely used in quality management and is often linked with core tools like process analysis and improvement techniques.

4. Where is a flow chart used ?

Flow charts are used in:

• Manufacturing processes

• Quality management systems

• Software development

• Business workflows