Block Diagramming
A Training Presentation By
Brad Lewis
Presentation Agenda
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Block diagrams defined
Brainstorming exercise
The nuts and bolts of block diagrams
How to construct a block diagram
Examples of block diagramming
Application exercise
Presentation summary
Readings list
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Block Diagrams Defined
• A block diagram:
– Is a simple, specialized, high-level type of
flowchart.
– Provides a quick and uncomplicated overview
of a process.
– Is used to design new processes or to simplify
and understand existing processes.
– Is a starting point for process improvement.
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Brainstorming Exercise
• How can block diagrams be used in our
organization?
• Examples:
– Organization Chart
– Process Development Team
– Quality Improvement Team
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The Nuts and Bolts of Block Diagrams
• Elongated circles are used to represent
“start” and “stop” points.
Start
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Stop
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The Nuts and Bolts of Block Diagrams
• Rectangles or “blocks” are used to represent
process steps.
• The first word in the block should be a verb
that describes the action taken in the step.
• For example:
Prepare Invoice
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The Nuts and Bolts of Block Diagrams
• If conditional statements are necessary, start
the step’s label with “if” instead of a verb.
• For example:
If payment not yet received,
prepare a second invoice
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The Nuts and Bolts of Block Diagrams
• Arrows are used to represent the
relationships between process steps and/or
information flows.
• Both full-line and dotted-line arrows may
be used to denote two different types of
flows or connections.
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How to Construct a Block Diagram
1. Identify the process to be diagrammed.
2. Have relevant individuals to describe the
process to you.
3. If possible, “walk through” the process to
verify the accuracy of these descriptions.
4. Make note of which individuals play what
roles.
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How to Construct a Block Diagram
5. Begin diagramming by labeling the
diagram and indicating the “start” point.
6. Map the process steps in the order in
which they occur.
7. Connect process steps with arrows to
denote relationships between steps and/or
information flows.
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How to Construct a Block Diagram
8. Map the “stop” point to represent the end
boundary of the process.
9. If desired, indicate the key individuals
responsible for each process step.
10. If possible, again “walk through” the
process to verify the accuracy of the
diagram.
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Examples of Block Diagrams in Use
Start
1. Recognize Hiring
Need
2. Approve Request
to Hire
3. Provide List of
Internal Candidates
6. Conduct
Outside Search
5. If Candidate is
Suitable, Go to
Activity #10
4. Interview Internal
Candidates
7. Screen
Candidates
8. Interview
Candidates
9. Prioritize
Candidates
End
12. Introduce New
Employee to the
Company
11. Wait for
Acceptance to Offer
10. Submit
Employment Offer
A block diagram of a company’s hiring process
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Examples of Block Diagrams in Use
Process Steps
Key Participants
Start
1. Invite Candidate to Interview
HR Director
2. Schedule Interview Date and Time
HR Director
3. Conduct Informal Interview Over Lunch
Manager and Direct Supervisor
Manager and HR Director
4. Conduct Formal Interviews
5. Administer Employment Test
HR Director
6. Obtain References
HR Director
End
A block diagram of step 8 in the company’s hiring process
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Examples of Block Diagrams in Use
President/CEO
Chief Operating
Officer
VP of Sales
VP of
Operations
Modesto
Sales
Manager
Riverbank
Sales
Manager
Manteca
Sales
Manager
VP of
Business
Development
Merced
Sales
Manager
VP of Client
Services
VP of
Business
Services
Director of
Business
Development
Fresno
Sales
Manager
Turlock
Sales
Manager
Stockton
Sales
Manager
Director of
Career
Development
Commercial
Sales
Manager
An organizational chart of a real estate brokerage
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Application Exercise
Problem Statement
• It is a Friday afternoon in May, and a threeday weekend is fast approaching—Monday
is a national holiday. Plus, the weather is
finally becoming sunny and warm. What
does that mean? Barbecue time! Construct
a block diagram for a barbecue with friends.
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Application Exercise
Solution
1. Decide to Have
a Barbecue
Start
2. Develop
Invitation List
3. Telephone
Guests
6. Prepare Food
5. Buy Food and
Supplies
4. Develop the
Menu
7. Set Up the
Eating Area
8. Cook the Food
9. Eat the Food
11. Clean Up
Outdoors
10. Do the Dishes
End
A block diagram of a barbecue with friends
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Presentation Summary
• A block diagram is a simple, high-level type
of flowchart that provides quick
understanding into an organization’s
processes.
• Block diagrams are the starting point to
business process improvement; they may
also be used to design new processes.
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Presentation Summary
• Most organizations use block diagrams to
illustrate their internal hierarchy
(organizational charts).
• Block diagrams may also be used in
organizations by process development
teams or process improvement teams.
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Presentation Summary
• Constructing a block diagram involves
walking through the process to verify the
diagram’s accuracy.
• Where applicable, organizations should
indicate in the diagram who the key
participants are in each step of the process.
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Readings List
Harrington, H. J. Business Process
Improvement: The Breakthrough Strategy
for Total Quality, Productivity, and
Competitiveness (San Francisco: McGrawHill, 1991).
Juran, J.M., Frank M. Gyrna, and Richard S.
Bingham, Eds. Quality Control Handbook,
Ed. 3 (San Francisco: McGraw-Hill, 1974).
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Readings List
Bohl, Marilyn. Flowcharting Techniques
(Palo Alto: Science Research Associates,
Inc., 1971).
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Readings List
The following websites also contain a cursory
level of information on block diagrams:
• http://www.asq.org/glossary/b.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_diagram
• http://thequalityportal.com/q_block.htm
• http://web2.concordia.ca/Quality/tools/3blo
ckdiagram.pdf
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