A Thorough Guide on What Is A Swim Lane Diagram And How to Create One
When you are planning for a goal in your company, you must know who is responsible for specific tasks or activities. Organizing teams or personnel is one of the essential things that you need to consider when planning for a project or activity. And in this guidepost, we will show you the best process to create a diagram that will effectively help your company plan and create a mind map for your plan. Below, you will learn about the swim lane diagram and how to create one.
- Part 1. What is a Swim Lane Diagram?
- Part 2. Swim Lane Diagram Templates
- Part 3. How to Create a Swim Lane Diagram
- Part 4. FAQs about What is Swim Lane Diagram
Part 1. What is a Swim Lane Diagram?
What is a swim lane diagram? A swim lane diagram is a flowchart that you can use to organize or plan for a project that will help you know the people who will be assigned a task. It shows the process from start to finish, aligned with the people who will work. The swim lane diagram is named swim lane because it is likely a swimming pool with lanes for every swimmer. Imagine a swimming competition, and there is a swimmer in every lane. And that‘s where the swim lane diagram comes from.
The swim lane diagram has horizontal and vertical lanes aligned with a person or worker during the process. Moreover, this mind mapping diagram can help people check their responsibility along with the established plan. It is also important to workers because they will know how their role fits in accordance with the goal.
Here are some of the advantage of using a swim lane diagram:
◆ Outline the responsibilities belonging to the workers or departments.
◆ It will help you to learn the bottlenecks, redundancies, and extraneous steps.
◆ It will help you ensure that every department or personnel is involved in a process.
◆ Systemizing and documenting the work process of your project or goal.
When a process involves more than two people, it is important that you can keep track of who is assigned a particular task.
Part 2. Swim Lane Diagram Templates
To create an effective swim lane process map, you need to have a suitable template for your organization, which you can easily follow and fill up. There are tons of swim lane diagram templates that you can find on the internet. And in this part, we will introduce you to some of the best and most useful templates for different organizations.
Functional Decompositional
Functional Decompositional is a template example that you can use if you break down complex processes into a more straightforward component. Additionally, it will help the stakeholders to know the process better. It also allows the organization to lessen the number of mistakes by recognizing the people’s requirements. Here is an example of a functional decompositional template you can also do.
Flowchart with Swimlanes
By using Flowchart with Swimlanes template, you will know who is responsible for performing each task assigned to your personnel, by using swimlanes. This template looks like a rectangular swimming pool in an aerial view; that contains swimlanes to indicate the process or task of every person. Here is a sample of a Flowchart with Swimlanes template that you can easily create.
Service Blueprint with Timeline
This swimlane diagram template can help you visualize the connections between the services that your customers experience. By using this template, you will also know the weaknesses in your services or projects. So, if you want to map out your future process to progress the experiences of your customers.
Value Added Flow Analysis with Responsibilities
Another swim lane flowchart template can help you analyze the responsibilities of your people. It allows you to separate value added and non-value steps from your customer's perspective. Value-added flow analysis with a responsibilities template can also identify the group or team in charge of every process you assign. Furthermore, this template helps you make your process more efficient and easier.
Part 3. How to Create a Swim Lane Diagram
If you are new to creating mind maps or diagrams, you do not need to worry. Reading this part lets you know how to make a swim lane diagram. But what tool is the most recommended when it comes to creating swim lane diagrams? Below, we will present to you how to create a swim lane diagram using the most fantastic software.
Create a Swim Lane Diagram Online with MindOnMap
MindOnMap is one of the favorite mind mapping tools you can use for free. This online application is available on all web browsers, including Google, Firefox, and Safari. In addition, it has an easy-to-use interface, making it a beginner-friendly tool. MindOnMap has ready-made themes that you can use to create a swimlane diagram. And with its clean user interface, you can easily navigate the functions you will use while mind mapping.
Moreover, you can alter the style of your nodes so that your flowchart will not be boring. To start your swim lane chart with MindOnMap, you must sign in or log in to an account. But do not fret, because this application is free and safe. What’s even more impressive about this online application is that you can export your output as JPG, PNG, SVG, Word, or PDF files. So, if you want to use this top-notching mind mapping tool.
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How to create a swim lane diagram online using MindOnMap:
To access MindOnMap, open your browser and type MindOnMap on your search box. Tick this link to go immediately to their main website. And on the first interface, log in to your account if you already have one. And sign-up if you want to create one.
After logging in/signing up for your account, click the New button to create a new project.
And then, you will see on the next interface that you can use the recommended theme below. You can also use the ready-made mind mapping types, like an org chart, tree map, flowchart, and fishbone. But this tutorial will help you know how to create a swim lane diagram using the Flowchart option.
And on the Flowchart interface, click the table icon. After creating a table, you can input the main topics you need to tackle.
Next, insert the shapes and processes that you need to put in your swim lane diagram. To style your diagram, click the Style option on the right side of the interface. You can change the background color of every shape on your swim lane diagram.
Lastly, press Save to save your project/output on your projects. And if you want to export your swim lane diagram, click the Export button at the top right corner of the interface. Select what file type you want to save your output. And that’s it! You are now done creating your swim lane diagram. Click here to learn how to create a flowchart online.
Make a Swim Lane Diagram Offline Using PowerPoint
PowerPoint is also an application where you can create a swim lane diagram. This application can create impressive presentations; you can also use it to create a swim lane diagram. Although this app can create swim lane diagrams, we still recommend using the Mind on Map online app because it is not an ideal tool for mind mapping. Also, you need to put shapes and arrows, which is quite work manually. Nonetheless, it is still an effective tool if you want to make a swim lane diagram.
How to create a swim lane diagram in PowerPoint:
Download the Microsoft PowerPoint app on your device if it is not installed. Open the app once it is installed. Go to the Insert tab on the app’s main interface and click Shapes. Add a rectangle for the body of your swim lane diagram. And then add a square as the title of your swim lane.
Group the two shapes, and change the color of the shapes. And after changing the color of your swim lane, copy and paste them to create more columns. Then, label each swimlane based on the topics you are tackling.
Now, it’s time for you to create your flowchart. Put shapes and arrows to connect the plans or process.
Then, save your output on your device. You can use PowerPoint to make a concept map too.
Part 4. FAQs about What is Swim Lane Diagram
What are the main elements of a swim lane diagram?
The main elements included in a swim lane diagram are process, decisions, and loops.
Why is it called a swim lane diagram?
The diagram's name comes from the horizontal lines that are similar to the swimming pool's swim lanes.
Is there a swim lane template in PowerPoint?
No. You must manually input shapes, arrows, and text to create a complete swim lane diagram in PowerPoint.
Conclusion
Now that you know everything about the Swim Lane Diagram and how to create one, you can share the process you need to do with your organization. You can easily make a fantastic swim lane diagram using MindOnMap.
