Write a sentence at the top of a piece of paper describing the process being explained in the flow chart. For example, "How to Fix Car Brakes."
Start with the trigger event that inspired you to consider the process. Write down the trigger at the top of the piece of paper and surround it with a rounded triangle. A trigger for car brakes might be "warning light for brake fluid comes on."
Add the first instruction to take in the event the trigger occurs and draw a square around it. For example, "Stop the car at a gas station and turn off the engine."
Write decisions or steps that might have multiple outcomes in diamond shapes. For example, "Check the brake fluid. Is it full?"
Draw arrows for "yes" and "no" leading away from the diamond. Each arrow should lead to a new task written in a square.
Draw additional diamonds and squares until the entire process is explained. The chart should lead toward the bottom of the piece of paper, where a target is written in a rectangle with rounded corners. In the example here, the target is "Brakes fixed."