Swim Lane Diagram Vs Flowchart
Swim lane diagrams have all of the advantages of mapping out a process the way a workflow diagram does but it can expand processes to include roles and responsibilities.
Swim lane diagram vs flowchart. Lanes are labelled to show how the chart is organized. The swim lane flowchart differs from other flowcharts in that processes and decisions are grouped visually by placing them in lanes. It groups components into a distinct sequence or lane in the visual presentation of workflow and process charts. A swim lane diagram is a process flowchart that allows you to visually distinguish duties and responsibilities as well as sub processes within these business processes.
Like a flowchart it diagrams a process from start to finish but it also divides these steps into categories to help distinguish which departments or employees are responsible for each set of actions. A swim lane diagram also called a cross functional flow chart or swim lane process map is an element used in mapping process workflows. In a horizontal layout bands representing functional units run horizontally across the drawing page highlighting the process. Most of the times it is also more detailed than a swimlane chart and covers any eventuality in the process.
Each tool has its own purpose. Usually it is a swimlanewithout the lanes and the documents. In bpmn diagram a process flowchart is typically shown flowing from left to right if only one set of swimlanes is used horizontal swimlanes are most commonly used to group activities. Parallel lines divide the chart into lanes with one lane for each person group or sub process.
So what s the difference. A swim lane also known as swimlane diagram is a type of flowchart. These lanes are columns that keep actions visually separated from others. The powerful swimlane diagram software comes with a rich set of swimlane diagram templates and symbols.
Simply start with a swimlane flowchart template and then drag and drop the flowchart symbols to the swimlane diagram to complete it. So there is not much to say about it. In terms of which type of flowchart will work best we often recommend using a swim lane diagram in favor over a basic workflow diagram or a more complicated process flowchart. The swim lane diagram first surfaced in the 60s.
It shows connections communication and handoffs between these lanes and it can serve to highlight waste redundancy and inefficiency in a process.