Process Design – How many swim lanes should I add to the flowchart diagrams?

by Ivan on June 16, 2009

How many swim lanes should I add to the process design diagrams?
Another part of the process design package is the flowchart diagrams. One area where I’m getting a little stuck is deciding how many swim lanes to add to the Visio diagrams. To get things rolling I have created three Visio diagrams with 2, 3 and 4 swim lanes. Take a look here.
The question is: which one will be business analysts use the most?
Regards,
Ivan
Twitter @ivanwalsh

Another part of the process design package is the flowchart diagrams. One area where I’m getting a little stuck is deciding how many swim lanes to add to the Visio diagrams. To get things rolling I have created three Visio diagrams with 2, 3 and 4 swim lanes. Take a look here.

Copy of bizproccess1

How many swim lanes should I add to the process design diagrams?

Copy of bizproccess3

The question is: which one will be business analysts use the most?

Regards,

Ivan

Twitter @ivanwalsh

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Tagged as: Camtasia, CMS, Design, Dita, Flowcharts, google, India, Jing, microsoft, process, Release Notes, Snagit, Visio., Webinar, XML

  • Eric

    The graphics are too small to make out the content, but this reminds me of that scene in Amadeus where the Emperor feels he should make some comment on the piece he has just listened to:

    Emperor: It's very good! Of course, now and then, ju-ju-just now and then it, it seems a touch… how should one say? How shall one say, Director?
    Director: Er, too many swim lanes, your Majesty.
    Emperor: Exactly, very well put. Too many swim lanes.
    Mozart: I don't understand, there are just as many swim lanes, Majesty, as I require, neither more nor less…
    Emperor: My dear young man, don't take it too hard. Your work is ingenious. It's quality work. And there are simply too many swim lanes – that's all. Just cut a few and it will be perfect.
    Mozart: Which few did you have in mind, Majesty?

    How many swim lanes does the reader require in order to understand the information presented?

  • ivanwalsh

    Thanks Eric.

    I'll add new s/shots so things are clearer. Was up to 2am doing the final touches. Brain slightly melted.

    The lines from Amadeus are great, aren't they?

    Wonder what happened to the actor who played him?

    Regards,
    Ivan Walsh
    Twitter: @ivanwalsh
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ivanwalsh/
    Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ivanwalsh/
    Web: http://www.klariti.com & http://www.ivanwalsh.com

  • supadave

    My advice is keep your audience in mind. With a swim lane you generally want to use a lane for each department/system involved in the process. I prefer not to have “system” swim lanes, just groups, but it depends on the process your modeling.

    Check out my article on process mapping and flow charts. http://randomcrates.com/the-art-of-the-flow/

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