Collaborating with your team becomes easier with visual aids that transform complex processes into understandable visual representations. Visual aids make the flow of activities, responsibilities, and decisions more straightforward. Visual aids enhance team communication by providing a shared reference point for analysis and discussion

Both low-tech paper aids and computer-based process mapping software are valuable tools in process mapping. Make sure everyone on your team has equal access to the design information, regardless of the collaboration tools you choose.

Take a moment to explore each of these types of visual aids by selecting each tab below:

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Low-tech Design Aids

Flipcharts help capture ideas and visualizations in a group setting. Participants can contribute and see the workflows and ideas as the design session progresses. Flipcharts save pages for easy reference.
Whiteboards and Markers allow real-time drawing, erasing, and redrawing process maps, flowcharts, and diagrams. Their visual and interactive nature makes them ideal for team collaboration and dynamically refining ideas.
Sticky Notes can represent different steps or components of a process and can be easily moved around to adjust its flow or structure. This flexibility is helpful during the initial stages of process mapping, as ideas are frequently rearranged while the process is re-designed.

These low-tech tools promote engagement, flexibility, and creativity in the process design phase. They can be particularly effective in your design team meetings where participation and collaboration are essential. These tools are an excellent starting point for conceptualizing and refining processes.

Computer-based Process Mapping Software

Process mapping software is a digital tool that allows users to visualize and document the steps involved in a process. It enables the creation of process maps or flowcharts, which outline the sequence of tasks, activities, or events within a workflow. Free process mapping applications are available on the Internet.