Business Process Symbols: Flowcharts, Documents, and Decision Shapes

Document-The document shape represents a physical or digital document. For example, a purchase order, email, report, or invoice.

Database-The database shape represents data storage. Data is input into the database and data is retrieved for use in business processes.

Data Input-The manual input shape depicts data that is manually input into a system, such as a user keying in invoice details from an invoice received in hardcopy from the vendor.

Manual Processing / Operation-This symbol is used when the documents prepared or used are completely manual. For example, if the forklift driver is writing on a picking ticket to update the quantity of materials that they pulled from the warehouse.

Computer Processing (Automated)-This symbol is used when a computer is used to process a business function. For example, the system performs a credit check against the customer's outstanding balance per the AR subsidiary ledger and the customer's credit limit included in the customer master file.

Flowline-Flowline - this is how we connect the shapes to show the flow of transaction documents.

Decision-This shape is used when a decision is made either by a human reviewing electronic output or by the computer system performing an automatic process.

Connector-This shape is used to connect processes between swimming lanes or pages.

Terminal-This shape is used to show an external party to the process.

For example, a vendor who is sending a document to the entity or a document is sent to the shipping group.

Hardcopy File-This shape is used when a hardcopy file is required.

For example, a clerk could file a hard copy invoice in a drawer.