As a means of documenting work practices it has been around for centuries, perhaps beginning with the scratchings of Neanderthals on the roofs of caves, documenting hunting methodologies. Firstly, a flow chart is a means of conveying information about a process. Many quality professionals are unaware of the ISO quality standard that describes flow charts, ISO9004.4. Flow charts are constructed with easily recognised symbols. The computer enables each symbol to be neatly aligned and connecting lines drawn clearly and simply.
Most systems provide some means of creating connecting lines automatically.
However, in using computer based flow charts, there may often be more negatives than benefits, as will be seen. The flow chart is a means of communicating information. It must be able to communicate the steps in a process clearly and unambiguously. It must be possible for any team in an organization to examine a flow chart created elsewhere and immediately understand it. Unfortunately, vendors of most computer products face other pressures.