Re: How do you prefer to deal with long flowcharts?
How do you prefer to incorporate long, complex, branching flowcharts in a
document, when they won't fit on a single page, legibly? In my example,
one such flow is describing program logic as part of the detailed design
document; it spans three portrait-oriented pages vertically, if cut into
The length isn't an issue. Using classic symbols developed for flow charts there are two scenarios that can be mixed and matched to suit the occasion.
First is the step-by-step diagram that exceeds the page area to an adjoining page. This situation involves a 'page connector' which is shaped like 'home plate' in the game of baseball. It resembles an upside-down house. The end of the line of flow is truncated at the edge of the page with the connector identified with a key letter to match up with a similar key beginning the continued flow on the adjoining page.
Then there's the small circular-shaped connector that can be used to show a space-saving continuation of flow on the same page in the manner of a line feed. Inside the connector is a key that can be used to match up with the look-alike key beginning the continuance.
Traditionally, the connectors are half the size of other flow chart symbols, sometimes smaller.
I wouldn't hesitate to provide a flow chart that had reduced granularity to show a macro view of the process and then show increased detail for each of the blocks in the macro view. Thus, greater detail is there for those needing more than an overview. The whole process can be put on one page for those wanting an executive overview. HTH,
s
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Free copy of ARTS PDF Tools when you register for the PDF
Conference by May 15. Leading-Edge Practices for Enterprise
& Government, June 3-5, Bethesda,MD. www.PDFConference.com
Check out RoboDemo for tutorials! It makes creating full-motion software
demonstrations and other onscreen support materials easy and intuitive.
Need RoboHelp? Save $100 on RoboHelp Office in May with our mail-in rebate.
Go to http://www.ehelp.com/techwr-l
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
Previous by Author:
Re: Good Formatting Practice
Next by Author:
Re: Reporting indecent spam
Previous by Thread:
RE: How do you prefer to deal with long flowcharts?
Next by Thread:
Help: repost of computer-skill survey, desperately need more responses! Thanks
Search our Technical Writing Archives & Magazine
Visit TechWhirl's Other Sites
Sponsored Ads