Download - Block Diagramming A Training Presentation By Brad Lewis.

Block Diagramming

A Training Presentation By

Brad Lewis

29 March 2006 Block Diagramming 2

Presentation Agenda• 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


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.


Brainstorming Exercise

• How can block diagrams be used in our organization?

• Examples:– Organization Chart– Process Development Team– Quality Improvement Team


The Nuts and Bolts of Block Diagrams

• Elongated circles are used to represent “start” and “stop” points.

Start Stop



• 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



• 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



• 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.


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.



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.



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.


Examples of Block Diagrams in Use

A block diagram of a company’s hiring process

1. Recognize Hiring Need

2. Approve Request to Hire

3. Provide List of Internal Candidates

4. Interview Internal Candidates

5. If Candidate is Suitable, Go to Activity #10

6. Conduct Outside Search

7. Screen Candidates

8. Interview Candidates

Start

9. Prioritize Candidates

10. Submit Employment Offer

11. Wait for Acceptance to Offer

12. Introduce New Employee to the Company

End



A block diagram of step 8 in the company’s hiring process

Start

1. Invite Candidate to Interview

2. Schedule Interview Date and Time

3. Conduct Informal Interview Over Lunch

4. Conduct Formal Interviews

5. Administer Employment Test

6. Obtain References

End

HR Director

HR Director

Manager and Direct Supervisor

Manager and HR Director

HR Director

HR Director

Process Steps Key Participants



An organizational chart of a real estate brokerage

President/CEO

Chief Operating Officer

VP of Sales

VP of Operations

VP of Business

Development

VP of Client Services

VP of Business Services

Director of Career

Development

Director of Business

Development

Modesto Sales

Manager

Riverbank Sales

Manager

Stockton Sales

Manager

Manteca Sales

Manager

Turlock Sales

Manager

Merced Sales

Manager

Fresno Sales

Manager

Commercial Sales

Manager


Application ExerciseProblem Statement

• It is a Friday afternoon in May, and a three-day 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.


Application ExerciseSolution

A block diagram of a barbecue with friends

1. Decide to Have a Barbecue

2. Develop Invitation List

3. Telephone Guests

4. Develop the Menu

7. Set Up the Eating Area

8. Cook the Food

Start

9. Eat the Food

10. Do the DishesEnd

5. Buy Food and Supplies

6. Prepare Food

11. Clean Up Outdoors


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.



• 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.



• 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.


Readings List

Harrington, H. J. Business Process Improvement: The Breakthrough Strategy for Total Quality, Productivity, and Competitiveness (San Francisco: McGraw-Hill, 1991).

Juran, J.M., Frank M. Gyrna, and Richard S. Bingham, Eds. Quality Control Handbook, Ed. 3 (San Francisco: McGraw-Hill, 1974).


Readings List

Bohl, Marilyn. Flowcharting Techniques (Palo Alto: Science Research Associates, Inc., 1971).


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/3blockdiagram.pdf