The image below shows the various shapes to use in the diagram
The Process Step is used for most functions performed by a user or a tool.
The Decision Step is normally a question that is answered with Yes or No. This shape may also be used for more than 2 answers, which may not necessarily be Yes or No.
The Automated Step is a step initiated by the system; if that happens automatically based on the previous step(s). It does not require a user action and represents the benefit of using the system.
In some Level 1 and Level 2 diagrams, some steps have a Sub-process step which indicates the step is described in more detail in a separate work process diagram in this document. In some cases, a series of steps in a Level 1 diagram are grouped together in a larger box to represent a subprocess that is described in more detail in another Level 1 or Level 2 diagram.
The Start or End shape are used when necessary to clarify the work process.
The Input or Output shape can be used for a single input/output, or when there are many, for multiple inputs/outputs.
Because Level 1 diagrams represent disciplines or roles, they are represented using same color swim lanes. However, in Level 2 diagrams, Hexagon tools are represented by specific colors and non-Hexagon tools are represented in gray.
The swim lane diagrams should be read in conjunction with the user stories that follow each diagram for better understanding. Numbers in the diagram boxes correspond to the numbered steps in the user stories
The steps in the swim lane diagram are linked with solid lines.
Most engineering work processes are not sequential, but instead are parallel and iterative. The numbers in the process steps do not necessarily indicate the strict order in which tasks must be accomplished. Although there is a general time sequence of process steps from left to right on the diagrams, the sequence does not represent a strict timeline.
Some steps on the diagram typically occur multiple times during design, whenever data is changed enough to benefit the downstream consumers. In the same way, many other step sequences are also repeated to refine the design.
To view large diagrams on screen, you can click the work process diagram and use the Scale image up button .