Process flowchart standards guide. Notation and patterns referenced by the flowchart-designer agent when visualizing business processes in Mermaid. Used for 'flowchart standards', 'process diagram' requests. Note: BPM engine implementation is out of scope.
Standardizes the flowchart-designer agent's process visualization quality.
| Symbol | Mermaid | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rounded rectangle | ([text]) | Start/End | Process entry/exit |
| Rectangle | [text] | Processing/Task | Unit work activity |
| Diamond | {text} | Decision/Branch | Decision point |
| Parallelogram | [/text/] | Input/Output | Document/Data |
| Cylinder | [(text)] | Data store | DB/System |
| Subgraph | subgraph | Area grouping |
| Department/Phase |
flowchart TD
START([Request received]) --> DRAFT[Create document]
DRAFT --> CHECK{Review}
CHECK -->|Acceptable| APPROVE{Approval}
CHECK -->|Unacceptable| REVISE[Revise]
REVISE --> DRAFT
APPROVE -->|Approved| EXECUTE[Execute]
APPROVE -->|Rejected| REVISE
EXECUTE --> DONE([Complete])
flowchart TD
INPUT[/Input data/] --> VALIDATE{Validation}
VALIDATE -->|Valid| PROCESS[Process]
VALIDATE -->|Invalid| ERROR[Error handling]
ERROR --> LOG[(Error log)]
ERROR --> NOTIFY[Notify owner]
PROCESS --> OUTPUT[/Result/]
OUTPUT --> END([End])
flowchart LR
subgraph Sales
A[Receive order] --> B[Quote]
end
subgraph Logistics
B --> C[Check inventory]
C --> D[Ship]
end
subgraph Finance
B --> E[Issue invoice]
D --> F[Record revenue]
end
| Rule | Threshold | When Exceeded |
|---|---|---|
| Node count | 15 or fewer | Split into sub-processes |
| Branch depth | 3 levels or fewer | Create sub-flowcharts |
| Swim lanes | 4 or fewer | Split the process |
| Crossing lines | 0 | Rearrange layout |
| Text | Verb + object, 5 words max | Abbreviate |
Flowchart ↔ Manual mapping:
Each rectangle (task) in the flowchart = 1 procedure in the manual
Each diamond (decision) in the flowchart = Decision criteria in the manual
Each subgraph (area) in the flowchart = 1 chapter in the manual
| Item | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Start/End | Exactly 1 each must exist |
| Dead ends | None (all paths reach an endpoint) |
| Branch labels | Conditions specified for all paths |
| Exception paths | Includes error/rejection/timeout |
| Number mapping | Matches manual procedure numbers |