Swimlane Diagram Vs Flowchart
A swimlane or swimlane diagram is used in process flow diagrams or flowcharts that visually distinguishes job sharing and responsibilities for sub processes of a business process.
Swimlane diagram vs flowchart. If only one set of swimlanes is used horizontal swimlanes are most commonly used to group activities. A swimlane diagram not only depicts steps in the process but also separates each unit within the organization highlighting interaction between departments and providing a high level view of possible inefficiencies. A swim lane also known as swimlane diagram is a type of flowchart. 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.
Swimlanes may be arranged either horizontally or vertically. Swim lane diagrams take the basic workflow diagram a step further. These lanes are columns that keep actions visually separated from others. If only one set of swimlanes is used horizontal swimlanes are most commonly used to group activities.
In bpmn diagram a process flowchart is typically shown flowing from left to right. A swim lane diagram makes responsibilities more clear than a regular flowchart. Flowchart is best suited if you want to communicate your process to a software developer.