Business Tools

During my time at university, I used flowcharts to map out my research processes so they could be clearly understood and repeated during peer review. Lately, I’ve been using flowchart templates to organize an instructional book on floral design. Today, I’ll be exploring flowcharts as they pertain to the business sector. Flowchart templates help people easily map out business processes, improve workflows, and even clarify organizational structures. Any industry can make smart use of flowcharts for business, and templates make that work go even faster. Bulleted lists, Word documents, or even presentations can help convey a process, but they don’t offer the same level of visual clarity and readability that a flowchart does — especially when trying to map out different steps or stages. So, let’s answer the main questions first: what is a flowchart, and what can you use it for? Table of Contents What is a flowchart? How Flowchart Templates Can Help Flowchart Templates for Business Flowchart Examples for Business Free Flowchart Templates What makes a great flowchart template? What is a flowchart? Flowcharts are ideal for outlining processes, which are the backbone of a strong business. In my opinion, a clear, repeatable process has two major hurdles to successful implementation in any business: first, the development of that process, and second, getting buy-in from stakeholders on that process. (Good luck, right?) The best way to overcome both of these potential roadblocks is to transparently and logically outline a process. Many businesses use flowcharts to manage this, as flowcharts visually outline a process roadmap for a full-scope understanding. They can also be easily digested by employees who need to know and follow the process. In a business, flowcharts can be used for any of the following purposes: Team and organizational alignment. An organizational structure diagram clarifies who reports to whom in your team. Data management. A data flow diagram will help you understand how information progresses through your business up until deletion. Sales process mapping. Creating a sales process flowchart can help you shorten the sales cycle and increase revenue. Email nurturing. Email campaigns are famously dependent on workflows, which are a type of flowchart that decides who to enroll in a campaign and when. Customer journey mapping. A customer journey flowchart shows how customers find you and what their experience is like at your business. Customer or employee onboarding. A customer onboarding process flow can help you define what messaging to send and when during your customer’s first interactions with your business. A/B testing. When designing an A/B test, you’ll typically use a flowchart to figure out how many versions you’ll test and the potential results you’ll get. You can also use flowcharts for QA work, mapping out your career progression, and much, much more. Additionally, you can take advantage of templates to reduce your workload. How Flowchart Templates Can Help Pre-designed flowchart templates offer multiple benefits. I’ll take a look at them below: Saves time. The primary benefit is pretty straightforward. Using a template is quicker than building a flowchart from square one. Applicable for different purposes. Flowchart templates are available online for varied use cases, from university application workflows to loan approval processes. Search for one that fits your requirements, modify it, save/share/export it, and you’re good to go. Customizable according to individual or organizational needs. Templates usually offer numerous modification and personalization options. I’ve seen some tools that also allow you to add your brand assets to the design. To help you create actionable flowcharts for your organization, I’ve listed the best flowchart templates for you to start using today. These can help you to create a smoother process in any area of your business. The first nine come with a download link for you to start using that template right on Google Slides. Flowchart Templates for Business 1. Basic Process Flowchart Template Download this Template I feel that this basic flow chart template is a great solution for those just getting started with flowcharts. Why? The template allows its designers to specify a starting point, two potential outcomes, and then the resulting processes of those decisions. Due to its limitations, this flowchart template is best suited for simple processes. Who should use this flowchart? Anyone who needs to map out if-then processes. What I like about this flowchart template: The basic process flowchart is easy to use and follow, and it’s ideal for documenting straightforward or simple processes. Pro tip: This flowchart is helpful for those looking to design an A/B test to determine the best way to get the results they’re looking for. 2. Swimlane Flowchart Template Download this Template The swimlane flowchart template divides the steps of a process into different sectors. For your business, these different sectors could be time periods, teams, employees, or work requirements. Who should use this flowchart? Swimlane flowcharts are particularly helpful for those who oversee cross-functional processes. What I like about this flowchart template: This template visualizes the different process steps that take place across multiple teams or organizations. 3. Task Flowchart Template Download this Template A task flowchart template simplifies complex processes with unique shapes. Each shape on the flowchart represents something different, forming a quick visual key. This format is helpful when the work of several teams intertwines throughout a process. This is because it makes it easier for team members to figure out the tasks they’re responsible for. These roles are often noted in a key on the flowchart for quick reference. Who should use this flowchart? Project managers looking to keep track of various tasks and their outcomes. What I like about this flowchart template: The task flowchart visually depicts how various contributions to a product support the end result. Each stakeholder can see how their tasks impact the flow of the project. Pro tip: The shapes can also represent different types of actions, like back-end development of a new element and then front-end testing of those elements to create a QA process. 4. Complex Flowchart Template Download this Template

No matter what you do for a living, you deal with all kinds of risks daily — whether it’s operational hiccups, financial uncertainty, or potential reputation hits. But it’s the unexpected curveballs you don’t see coming, like a sudden cybersecurity breach or equipment failure, that really shake things up. Trust me; I’ve been there. That’s where a risk assessment comes in. With it, I can spot, analyze, and prioritize risks before they turn into full-blown problems. I can get ahead of the game, so that when the unexpected strikes, I already have a plan in place to keep things under control. In this guide, I’ll share tips for running a risk assessment in five easy steps. I’ll also feature a customizable template to help you sharpen your decision-making. Table of Contents What is a risk assessment? Purpose and Benefits of Risk Assessments When should you conduct a risk assessment? Types of Risk Assessments How to Conduct a Risk Assessment for Your Business Free Risk Assessment Template What is a risk assessment? A risk assessment is a step-by-step process used to identify, evaluate, and prioritize potential risks to a business’s operations, safety, or reputation. It helps businesses understand the threats they face and determine how best to manage or reduce those risks. The risk assessment process involves identifying hazards, assessing how likely they are to occur, and evaluating their potential impact. With this information, businesses can allocate resources effectively and take proactive measures to avoid disruptions or accidents. Purpose and Benefits of Risk Assessments At its core, a risk assessment is all about identifying potential hazards and understanding the risks they pose to people — whether they’re employees, contractors, or even the public. By doing a deep dive into these risks, I can take action to either get rid of them or minimize them, creating a much safer environment. And sure, there’s the legal side — many industries require it — but beyond that, it’s about proactively looking out for the health and safety of everyone involved. It‘s important to note how crucial risk assessments are for staying compliant with regulations. Many industries require businesses to conduct and update these assessments regularly to meet health and safety standards. But compliance is only one side of the coin. Risk assessments also show the company genuinely cares about its employees’ well-being. Benefits of Risk Assessments Think of a risk assessment template as your business’s trusty blueprint for spotting trouble before it strikes. Here’s how it helps. Awareness Risk assessments shine a light on the risks lurking in your organization, turning risk awareness into second nature for everyone. It’s like flipping a switch — suddenly, safety is a shared responsibility. I’ve seen firsthand how, when people feel confident enough to call out risks, safety compliance just clicks into place. That’s when you know the whole team is looking out for each other. Measurement With a risk assessment, I can weigh the likelihood and impact of each hazard, so I’m not shooting in the dark. For instance, if I find that one task is particularly risky, I can change up procedures or workflows to bring that risk down. Results The real magic happens when you act on your findings. By catching risks early, I can prevent different types of crises like machine breakdowns or workplace accidents — things that can quickly spiral out of control. Not only does this safeguard employees and minimize the fallout from those risks, but it also spares your organization from costly legal troubles or compensation claims. When should you conduct a risk assessment? Here are the most relevant scenarios for conducting a risk assessment. Before Introducing New Processes or Products If I’m launching a new product or service, I’d want to assess all the potential risks involved. This could include safety risks for employees, financial risks if the product doesn’t perform as expected, or even supply chain risks. For example, as a manufacturer, you might evaluate the risks of new machinery affecting production lines​. After Major Incidents If something goes wrong, like a data breach or an equipment failure, a risk assessment again comes in handy. I can better understand what went wrong and how to prevent it from happening again. For example, after a data breach, an IT risk assessment could reveal vulnerabilities​ and help bolster defenses​. To Meet Regulatory Requirements Staying compliant with industry regulations is another big motivator. In industries like healthcare or finance, this could mean avoiding hefty penalties or fines. Compliance frameworks like HIPAA risk assessment in healthcare or OSHA for workplace safety make regular risk assessments a must​. When Adopting New Technologies Integrating new technologies, such as IT systems or machinery, can introduce new risks. I recommend conducting a risk assessment to identify any potential cybersecurity or operational risks. Without this, your business could be exposed to new vulnerabilities​. When Expanding Operations Whenever expanding into new markets, it’s essential to assess potential risks, especially when dealing with different local regulations or supply chains. Financial institutions, for example, assess credit and market risks when they expand internationally​. Pro tip: Don’t wait for problems to arise — schedule regular risk assessments, either annually or bi-annually. This keeps you ahead of potential hazards and ensures you’re constantly improving safety measures. Types of Risk Assessments When conducting a risk assessment, the method you choose depends on the task, environment, and the data you have on hand. Different situations call for different approaches. Here are the top ones. 1. Qualitative Risk Assessment This assessment is suitable when you need a quick judgment based on your observations. No hard numbers here — just categorizing risks as “low,” “medium,” or “high.” It’s perfect for when you don’t have detailed data and need to make a call based on experience. For example, when assessing an office environment, like noticing employees struggling with poor chair ergonomics, I should label that a “medium” risk. Sure, it impacts productivity, but it’s not life-threatening. It’s a simple approach that works well for everyday scenarios. 2.