Microsoft KB Archive/301666

= How to identify cross-department dependencies with flowcharts =

Article ID: 301666

Article Last Modified on 7/27/2006

-

APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Visio 2002 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Visio 2002 Professional Edition

-



This article was previously published under Q301666



SUMMARY
This article briefly discusses the following topics about how to identify cross-department depedencies by using Microsoft Visio:
 * Should My Chart Be Vertical or Horizontal?
 * Tips: Enhancing and Revising Cross-Functional Flowcharts

While most flowcharts represent the steps in a process, cross-functional flowcharts show a broader picture: the relationships between process steps and functional units. Use cross-functional flowcharts to capture the flow of a process from department to department or show how a process affects different functional units in a corporation.

Cross-functional flowcharts capture the relationship between process steps and functional units.

For complete detailed information and a procedure for creating cross-functional flowcharts, please visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010685271033.aspx



Should My Chart Be Vertical or Horizontal?
You can present any cross-functional process either vertically or horizontally. A vertical layout places slightly more emphasis on the functional units while a horizontal layout emphasizes the process.

In a horizontal layout, bands representing functional units run horizontally across the drawing page, highlighting the process.

In a vertical layout, bands representing the functional units run vertically from the top to the bottom of the page, highlighting the functional units.

Tips: Improving and Revising Cross-functional Flowcharts
You can improve and revise a cross-functional flowchart by:
 * Adding, deleting, or adjusting bands.
 * Moving or extending process shapes.
 * Dividing the process into phases that you can manage separately.
 * Breaking a long process and continuing it on the same page.

Additional query words: website assistance center vso2002

Keywords: kbinfo kbdownload KB301666

-

[mailto:TECHNET@MICROSOFT.COM Send feedback to Microsoft]

© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.