I’m currently documenting the business processes that will by a new system. It’s amazing how you can create different types of flowcharts depending on the process flow. One of my favorite flowcharts is the cross-functional flowchart. The cross-functional flowchart shows a process flow that has different groups that play a part to get the process from start-to-finish.  Additionally, you can divide it by the sub-processes.  Best example is an approval/reject workflow where one party creates and submits it to another party to approve/reject.

The first thing you want to do is create the “swim lanes.” Imagine a swim meet where each swimmer is in his/her own lane. Using a software like Microsoft Visio, draw the swim lanes for each group. Tip: There is a cross-functional template, so make your life easier and use it.

You might wonder if it should be horizontal or vertical. I really depends on your preference. For me, I prefer the horizontal cross-functional flowchart when I want to focus on the different functional groups. A vertical one when I want to emphasize on the actual process.  You can use both horizontal and vertical swim lanes if you want to show the different groups and the sub-processes.  Check out the image below.

Cross-functional flowcharts might intimidate you at first, but they are actually pretty easy to build and extremely useful. Use them.

Written by: Shevonne on September 19, 2011.
Last revised by: Shevonne on October 11, 2011.

Tags: cross-functional flowchart, flowchart types, horizontal, vertical