The Flowchart Tool:

Flow chartsare animportanttool for the improvement of processes. By providing a graphical representation, they help project teams to identify the different elements of a process and understand the interrelationships among the various steps.

1. Utilizing the appropriate flow chart symbols, flow chart the process below. Include all steps and decisions.

The Winnipeg Widget Company wants to better understand what is involved in receiving a part from a Supplier. The average amount of time to complete receiving is 5 days from delivery from the Supplier. The business model for the Winnipeg Widget Company only allows for 2 days for receiving. The first step in gaining a better understanding of a process is to examine a flow chart of it.

Here are the receiving process steps:

• Truck arrives at Winnipeg Widget Company security
• The Truck Driver is warmly greeted, (because the Winnipeg Widget Company is very friendly), and given the Receiving door number to go to
• On arrival at the appropriate door, the Receiver obtains the shipment paperwork from the Driver and visually inspects the load for damage
• If there is damage, the Receiver obtains a damage claim form from the Receiving Office, and determines if there is enough/correct information for him to complete the form
• If the Receiver has enough information to complete the form, he does so, and provides a copy to the Driver with the signed packing slip
• If he does not have enough/correct information, he needs to go to the Logistics Office for assistance
• If there is no damage, the Receiver signs for the goods, and offloads the truck
• The damage claim form is dropped off at the Quality Assurance, (QA), Office by the Receiver
• QA generates a damage claim tag then next time they are using the Q system
• The Receiver returns to QA after his breaks and/or lunch to see if the tag is ready (the material cannot move until the tag is on it)
• Once the damage tag is obtained from QA, the Receiver puts in on the damaged goods
• The Receiver drops off the paperwork in the Receiving Office for data entry
• The Receiving Clerk collects the paperwork on her way back from breaks and/or lunch
• The Receiving Clerk calls up the purchase order and compares it to the packing slip
• If they match, the Receiving Clerk enters the receipt information into the system
• If they don't match, the Receiving Clerk scans the packing slip and e-mails it to the Buyer
• The Buyer then contacts the Supplier to resolve the issue
• Once the issue is resolved, the Buyer provides a revised packing slip, that now matches the Purchase Order, to the Receiving Clerk