I have over 30 years experience in IT, working as a technical writer, a process analyst, and a business analyst.
Workflows are Us
When I work with processes, I usually do a a flowchart to study the existing steps in the process (some call this an “As-Is” flow). I then study the flowchart to identify duplicated actions, missing actions, etc. Once I have the list of gaps, I do a new flowchart that includes the changes I found that were needed (some call this a “To-Be” flow).
This is how processes get improved, and sometimes how we start the software creation process. The high-level flow charts are invaluable.
Swim Lane Diagrams
As part of the Business Analysis process, we often use “swim lane” diagrams which are flow charts showing who does what. The horiontal rows show which part of the flow is done by which group.
Here is a great example of making and delivering a pizza, done as a swim lane diagram:
Notice that these lanes are places and activities not people. Most of the swim lanes I do identify the person or person(s) doing something. They show…
