Regardless of style, what information is shown in a process flowchart?

Question

Options

• AActions, decision points, and process drivers
• BActivities, decision points, and the order of processing
• CActivities, process drivers, and the order of processing
• DActions, decision points, and activities

• A
  3% (1)
• B
  84% (32)
• C
  5% (2)
• D
  8% (3)

Explanation

Option B is correct because a process flowchart, regardless of style (swimlane, linear, cross-functional, etc.), always communicates three core elements: activities (the tasks or steps being performed), decision points (branches where the flow diverges based on conditions), and the order of processing (the sequence/flow shown by arrows connecting elements).

• A is wrong because "process drivers" are not a standard flowchart component - drivers refer to what initiates or motivates a process, which belongs in other documentation like process descriptions or SIPOC diagrams.
• C is wrong for the same reason - it swaps out "decision points" for "process drivers," losing the branching logic that is fundamental to any flowchart.
• D is wrong because "actions" and "activities" are used interchangeably here as distractors - the real issue is that D drops "order of processing," which is arguably the defining feature of a flowchart (the arrows showing sequence).

Memory tip: Think of the acronym ADO - Activities (what you do), Decision points (where you choose), Order (which way you go next). Every flowchart, no matter how it looks, answers those three questions.

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