Swimlane Diagram in draw.io (Cross-Functional Flowchart)
A swimlane diagram shows what happens and who does each step. Learn how to build a cross-functional flowchart in the free draw.io web app: add a pool with lanes, name the lanes, and drop each step into the lane of the team that does it, using an online shop refund process.
Step by step
Who does what
- Swimlane diagrams. A flowchart shows what happens. A swimlane diagram also shows who does each step. Here's the refund process for our online shop, with a lane for each team.
- Blank diagram. Start a blank diagram in draw.io. It's free in the browser, no account needed.
Add the lanes
- Pool and lanes. Open the Advanced shapes and drag in a horizontal pool with three lanes. Drag its right edge to make it wider. Then name the pool and each lane.
Steps go in lanes
- Steps in lanes. Now the steps. Each one goes in the lane of whoever does it. The customer asks for a refund. Support checks the returned item. Drop the step into the support lane.
- Handoffs. Connect them. A line that crosses from one lane to another is a handoff. That's where work often waits, so business analysts look there first.
- Decision. Support decides if the item is okay. Add a diamond in the same lane. And connect check returned item to the decision.
- Yes path. If the item is okay, finance pays the money back. Put that step in the finance lane. Connect the decision down to it, and label the line yes. The process ends back with the customer. Add an end shape in the customer lane. Refund received. Connect issue refund to it. Another handoff, from finance back to the customer.
- No path. If the item is not okay, the customer gets it back. Add that end in the customer lane too. Connect the decision up to it and label the line no.
- The finished swimlanes. Click away to see the whole diagram. Three lanes, and you can see every handoff between teams.
Recap
- The rules. So, one lane per role or team, every step in the lane of who does it, and label the paths out of each decision. Watch the handoffs. Subscribe for more draw.io tips for business analysts.
