SmartDRAW Using SmartDRAW to Graphically Formulate Problems Graphical representation of information can be succinct and can encourage different ways of looking at the information. In these set of instructions, I describe how a FAST diagram is constructed, and I describe SmartDRAW , software that assists in creating FAST diagrams. The label of each box describes an objective that must be met in order to address the problematic situation. The lines joining the boxes in a FAST diagram must also conform to a strict logic. Two boxes are joined by a horizontal link if the objective to the left is why the objective to the right must be met, and the objective to the right is how the objective to the left is met.
Horizontal links represent one-way causal relationships.
Diagram construction involves multiple revisions of diagram drafts, and the process can be quite tedious. SmartDRAW speeds up the diagramming process and reduces some of the tedium. Follow the steps outlined in the tutorial below, and recreate the FAST diagram shown in the example . Use the diagram expert to add a few more objectives to the diagram. To prevent unnecessary grief, please do not run SmartDRAW with other Windows programs.