A flow diagram is a visual representation that maps the sequence of operations, decision points, and data or material movements within a process. It uses standardized symbols—ovals for start/end points, rectangles for processes, diamonds for decisions, and directed arrows for flow—to show how information, materials, or control passes through a system. The persistence mechanism is visual documentation standards (ISO 5807, ANSI Y14.00) and diagramming software, enabling reproduction, sharing, and updating across organizational boundaries. A flow diagram extends human capacity for tracking multi-step processes beyond working memory limits, serving as both a planning artifact and an operational reference. [formal: flowus diagramma | substrate: mind | horizon: hours | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
flow diagram
A flow diagram is a visual representation that maps the sequence of operations, decision points, and data or material movements within a process. It uses standardized symbols—ovals for start/end points, rectangles for processes, diamonds f…
Definition
Why it is in scope
a visual representation that shows the sequence of steps, decisions, and data flow in a process; built as a communication and documentation tool for mapping and analyzing workflows across engineering, operations, and software development
Names and aliases
- flow diagramen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmrwnrieo00qrsoacvm1msqk2INSTANCE_OF →
flow diagram IS a specific kind of diagram — a visual representation that maps process sequences. Law 9: the specific (flow diagram) points at the general (diagram). A competent speaker would call a flow diagram a type of diagram. The nearest-kind ladder: flow diagram INSTANCE_OF diagram.
Relations to this entry
- cmrwz3oqy01tnsoacbewycspm← INSTANCE_OF
A sankey diagram IS a specific kind of flow diagram. It visualizes quantities as flows passing through nodes, with flow width proportional to quantity. A competent speaker in data viz would call a sankey diagram 'a kind of flow diagram' — it is a specialized flow visualization. Nearest kind: flow diagram (more specific than chart).
- cmrx48kal029bsoac285dpstk← INSTANCE_OF
Tested INSTANCE_OF: an alluvial diagram IS a specific kind of flow diagram. It visualizes how quantities or entities move between categories or states over discrete steps, using connected flowing ribbons whose width at each node is proportional to the quantity flowing through it.
Record identity
- Created
- Aug 1, 2026, 8:17 AM UTC
- Content hash
- 20fc46b2fb9270e450602876c776b1e9a974a705e9e3f899996e6da0189c77db