Swimlane Diagram

Understanding Swimlane Diagrams: A Visual Guide to Process Mapping

A swimlane diagram takes the flowcharts a step further by adding depth and a greater level of transparent detail to the visualization of processes. Swimlanes provide more context to the flowchart by adding information to the lanes, including roles, departments, and sub-processes. Swimlanes, in other words, are simply structured lanes that govern actions, similar to those in a swimming pool, allowing anyone to see who is doing what.

In a swimlane diagram, horizontal or vertical “lanes” show the diagram and its content, with each lane representing a specific participant, department, or sub-process within the overall process. This abstract way of dividing the diagram can help track how the activities “flow through the lanes,” metaphorically akin to prototype moving through lanes in a pool.

Picture yourself as a customer, swimming through the lanes of the swimlane diagram:

• Lane 1: where you start as a customer, initiate the process.
• Lane 2: the service department then takes over to handling your needs.
• Lane 3: Internal processes take charge to resolve your issue
• And so forth.

Next label your process’s entrance point as the upper-left corner, the next department until your process is fulfilled.

Enhancing Workflow Clarity with Swimlane Diagrams: A Step-by-Step Guide

Compared to traditional flowcharts, swimlane diagrams greatly improve clarity by showing exactly who undertakes each action within the workflow. When combined with standard flowchart symbols, they provide a streamlined visual that is simple to follow while accounting for all relevant parties.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a swimlane diagram:

Selecting the Process: It is required to identify a process one aims to represent and, as in the case with flow chart, gather a team of knowledgeable colleagues.

Defining Functions: Put down the primary functions or disciplines that are part of the process. After that, divide these regions into the vertical axis: each area should have a dedicated swimlane.

Mapping Activities: Arrange areas in a line from left to right in their logical assignment. It is essential not to dwell too much on the exceptions, as the swim chart should represent the typical process, not all its parts.

Establishing Connections: Connect activities in different lines with arrows, illustrating the flow of the process. This demonstrates the chain of command and management, providing info that the flow chart lacks. Add whatever relevant data to the swimlane as you want.

Wrapping Up:

By following these steps, you can create clear and informative swimlane diagrams that offer valuable insights into your processes, enhancing understanding and facilitating effective collaboration within your team.