Every company has them, yet they are rarely equally clear to everyone involved: business processes. Anyone faced with the task of restructuring or documenting workflows soon finds themselves asking: which method should I use to represent processes? The options range from strictly logical IT diagrams to elaborate visual representations. Every format has its place – the key factor is the target audience.

An overview of the three best-known approaches

To help you make the right choice for your next project, we have summarised the most common methods of process visualisation for you:

• The classic flowchart: Ideal for simple, linear yes/no decisions in operational areas. It is quick to create, but quickly reaches the limits of its clarity when dealing with highly complex, cross-departmental processes.
• BPMN 2.0 (Business Process Model and Notation): The global standard for IT and process specialists. Perfectly suited for programming systems and precisely defining technical interfaces. For the wider workforce, however, this symbol-heavy language is usually too abstract.
• The dialog picture / The illustrative process map: This approach translates logical workflows into a vivid, pictorial landscape. It is ideal for internal communication, onboarding and change management, as it focuses on people and the overall objective.

Checklist: How to find the right method

Before you start mapping out your processes, you should ask yourself three key questions:

1. Who is the target audience? (Specialists or the entire workforce?)
2. What is the primary objective? (Technical automation or cultural understanding?)
3. How flexible is the process? (Rigid sequence or agile framework?)

If your aim is to break down silos and create a shared understanding across departmental boundaries, visual representation is the most effective choice.

As experts in visual communication, we help you strike exactly the right balance between structure and dynamism.

Would you like to find the best approach for your company? Visit our landing page and find out how we can map your processes together.