One of the earliest applications of my knowledge from my engineering background to my work here in HR, is flowcharts.
Both engineers and HR personnel are quite process-oriented people, but I notice how they express their processes are different. HR folks uses a lot of words, while engineers, they like to use a lot of diagrams.
A lot of research has shown that the human mind comprehends information through visualization much better, so a lot of times when we want to create a process, we draw it out. And when it comes to workflows or processes, the best method of drawing is always flowcharts. I find it particularly useful, because it’s like a step-by-step approach to solve a task. It’s systematic and easier to study for process improvement.
It’s also a great diagram for documentation purposes, opposing to using so much words. In flowcharts, different shapes and lines represents different kind of meaning, like some kind of shorthand. For example, when you see the diamond shape, it indicates that you need to make a decision to a question to know what is the next step. I have them in my HR policies, all the time.
And because of it’s variety of shapes and lines, it also makes great presentations on a powerpoint slide, if you add in some animation to the mix. If you have not tried it, should try giving it a go. It can be, quite fun too.
Bimbo
