How to identify cross-department dependencies with flowcharts (301666)

SUMMARY

This article briefly discusses the following topics about how to identify cross-department depedencies by using Microsoft Visio:

Should My Chart Be Vertical or Horizontal?
Tips: Enhancing and Revising Cross-Functional Flowcharts

While most flowcharts represent the steps in a process, cross-functional flowcharts show a broader picture: the relationships between process steps and functional units. Use cross-functional flowcharts to capture the flow of a process from department to department or show how a process affects different functional units in a corporation.

Cross-functional flowcharts capture the relationship between process steps and functional units.

For complete detailed information and a procedure for creating cross-functional flowcharts, please visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010685271033.aspx

MORE INFORMATION

Should My Chart Be Vertical or Horizontal?

You can present any cross-functional process either vertically or horizontally. A vertical layout places slightly more emphasis on the functional units while a horizontal layout emphasizes the process.

In a horizontal layout, bands representing functional units run horizontally across the drawing page, highlighting the process.

In a vertical layout, bands representing the functional units run vertically from the top to the bottom of the page, highlighting the functional units.

Tips: Improving and Revising Cross-functional Flowcharts

You can improve and revise a cross-functional flowchart by:

Adding, deleting, or adjusting bands.
Moving or extending process shapes.
Dividing the process into phases that you can manage separately.
Breaking a long process and continuing it on the same page.