Swimlane Diagram
If you are planning to create a process flowchart that covers various departments, then Swimlane Diagram is the proper process flowchart to go with. This is simply because, with the Swimlane diagram, you can distinguish duties, responsibilities, and channels according to a specific set of objectives, workgroups, or departments within an organization.
With it, you can organize the responsibilities in various directions while, while focusing on each department and clearly distinguishing their roles. Swim lanes are easy to create, and more importantly, anyone within a specified business process will easily understand it, thanks to its simplifying design.
To learn more about how to create swim lane diagrams, their purpose, and benefits, as well as essential tips for creating a professional diagram, then keep reading!
First, let define what the Swimlane diagram is!
What is Swimlane Diagram
A Swimlane diagram is a type of process flowchart that defines who does what within multi-departmental processes. It is used to simplify illustration diagrams that would otherwise be very complex, this being considered an elegant type of flowchart.
Swim lanes are also known as Rummler-Brache diagrams, Multi-Column Charts, or Functional Bands. This diagram distinguishes responsibilities by splitting business processes accordingly into distinct channels using the metaphorical lanes’ design similar to actual pool lanes.
Purpose and benefit of Swimlane Diagram
With multiple departments or workgroups existing in our current organization, a Swimlane diagram can, therefore, help in several ways, including:
What to do before creating Swimlane Diagram
Before creating a swim, lane there are several things you need to accomplish first. These things are essential to have a professional and comprehensive Swimlane diagram. Generally, this part is specially set for researching purposes only, which involves the following key tips:
How to make Swimlane Diagram in EdrawMax
Create a Swimlane Diagram in EdrawMax by following the steps bellow
Step 1:Sign in or create an account with EdrawMax.
Step 2:After signing in, click on “Get started” if you are on the homepage to open a new page. You will see a blue navigation pane on the left side of that page; click “New” and then “Flowchart” and let it load. ve a close look. You need to be able to tell the differences before applying them;
Step 4:Browse through the template and select the one you like by clicking it. A new page will load with the pre-designed template you choose in it as well as a work area with different shapes and designing tools. Drag and drop shape, adjust size, shape, or text to create your new swim lane diagram.
Step 5:Save or export the diagram when you’re done and satisfied with your design. To save, click “File” at the top right corner, then “Save As,” and to export, click “Export” instead of Save as.
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Essential Tips for making Swimlane Diagram
To create a quality and professional swim lane diagram that is practical, you will need a decent amount of planning. These plans are going to be the blueprint of key steps to follow when designing a swim lane diagram. And so, to effectively do this, there are some key points that you need to keep in mind before and while designing a Swimlane Diagram, which comprises of:
One of the most important tips is that before starting any panning and designing process, you should first get well familiar with swim lane symbols, elements, and rules that govern its design.
When creating lanes in your diagram, ensure that you clearly define which processes or sub-processes falls on which departments.
Reviewing your complete Swimlane diagram blueprint is an essential step, not only here but also when diagraming any project management diagram. So, invest your time after designing to review if your diagrams meet your expectations and goals.
Swimlane Diagram Example
This diagram example is an excellent example of how useful a swim lane diagram can be to an organization. Let’s discuss the notable key points in this diagram for easy understanding:
The diagram clearly shows the chronological steps to be followed when a consumer places an order. The diagram also covers different scenarios that may occur before the product is packed and shipped.