Information Sheet 4.1.

Select correct technical drawing in accordance with the job

requirement
Learning Objectives:
After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:
1. Identify the basic symbols used in technical drawings.
2. Identify the basic elements in making a flowchart.

Meaning and Uses of Technical Drawing

Technical Drawing is the art or skill of creating a plan as such that a person can visualize
and follow how it needs to be carried out. This is also known as Drafting and through this
process, instead of writing and/or explaining the process of how something would be created or
performed, the functions and features are explained with the help of a drawing.
The person who creates these drawings are known as a draughtsman, draftsperson, or
drafter and if the person is a professional, he or she is then known as a drafting technician.
Technical Drawing is most commonly practiced by architects and engineers but is also
used by teachers, interior designers, product designers, construction workers, plumbers,
electricians, and pretty much anyone who builds or creates things. Even programmers and app
designers may use their own brand of technical drawing.
Technical drawing is essential for communicating ideas in industry and engineering. To
make the drawings easier to understand, people use familiar symbols, perspectives, units of
measurement, notation systems, visual styles, and page layout.

Definition of Terms
Let us first define the different terms used in this information sheet for an easier
understanding of this lesson.
Drawing act or the art of representing any object by means of lines and shades
Picture - visual representation or image painted, drawn, photographed, or
otherwise rendered on a flat surface
Process - a series of actions, changes, or functions bringing about a result
Technical - pertaining to the useful or mechanical arts, or to science or business

Technician - a person skilled in mechanical or industrial techniques or in a particular

technical field
Flowchart - a diagram that uses graphic symbols to depict the nature and flow of the steps in a
process
Tool kit - a small bag or box equipped with hand tools
Tree structure - an algorithm for placing and locating files in an organized database
Video display terminal - a computer terminal having a video display that uses a cathode-ray
tube

Basic Elements of a Flowchart

A flowchart is a diagram that uses graphic symbols to depict the nature and flow of the
steps in a process. Another name for this tool is "flow diagram."
A flowchart is commonly used by systems analysts to visualize the series of processes in a
business system. It is a useful tool to design an efficient business system and to troubleshoot or
improve an existing system. It consists of elements, such as the terminator, process, sub
process, decision, arrow lines, and connectors.
1. Terminator
A terminator is represented by a small rectangle with curved corners. It appears at the start
and at the end of a flowchart. The end terminator appears only once on a single flowchart.
2. Process
A process is represented by a rectangle. It refers to an action in a business process. It must be
described clearly and concisely. It can be described using a single verb noun phrase; for
example, "Order Office Supplies." The same level of detail must be kept in processes on a single
flowchart.
3. Sub-process
A sub-process is represented by a rectangle with double lines on each side. It is a major
process that could be broken up into simpler processes developed into another flowchart.
4. Decision
A decision is represented by a diamond. A process that can answer a decision of
"yes" or "no" requires a decision box.
5. Connector
A connector is represented by a small circle or a connector box and is labeled using letters. A
flowchart written on a single page is clearer than a flowchart on several pages. It ensures that
the processes are connected logically and correctly on several pages.
6. Arrow Lines

Arrow lines drawn in one direction, preferably from top to bottom, keep a flowchart clear. Avoid
arrow lines that loop because this could indicate redundancy in the business process.

When to use flowcharts

At the beginning of your process improvement efforts, an as-is flowchart helps your team
and others involved in the process to understand how it currently works. The team may find it
helpful to compare this as-is flowchart with a diagram of the way the process is supposed to
work.
Later, the team will develop a flowchart of the modified process again, to record how it
actually functions. At some point, your team may want to create an ideal flowchart to show how
you would ultimately like the process to be performed.

Benefits of Using Flowcharts

1. Promote understanding of a process.
People may have differing ideas about how a process works. A flowchart can help you gain
agreement about the sequence of steps. Flowcharts promote understanding in a way that
written procedures cannot do. One good flowchart can replace pages of words.
2. Provide a tool for training employees.
Because of the way they visually lay out the sequence of process steps, flowcharts can be very
helpful in training employees to perform the process according to standardized procedures.
3. Identify problem areas and opportunities for process improvement.
Once you break down the process steps and diagram them, problem areas become more visible.
It is easy to spot opportunities for simplifying and refining your process by analyzing decision
points, redundant steps, and rework loops.

Basic Flowchart Symbols

The symbols that are commonly used in flowcharts have specific meanings and are connected
by arrows indicating the flow from one step to another:
Shape

Name

Description

Basic Flowchart Symbols Used in a Computer System

The symbols that are commonly used in flowcharts used in a computer system:

EXAMPLES OF SIMPLE FLOWCHART

Figure 2. Example of a Flowchart

Self - Check 4.1.1

Answer Key for 4.1.1

1. b
2. a
3. d
4. c
5. e

TASK SHEET 4.1.1

Title: Demonstrate the proper way of using the basic symbols used for a
flowchart
Performance Objective: Using the basic symbols used for flowchart,
make your own simple flow chart to illustrate the process of the given
activities below.
1. Assembly of the motherboard
2. Setting up of a desktop computer
Supplies/Materials
eraser

: pad paper, short bondpapers, ruler, pencil,

Steps/Procedure:
1. Prepare your supplies on your armchair.
2. By following the activities listed on the performance objective, list
down first the steps needed for each activity.
3. Choose the correct symbol needed for each activity.
4. Draw the needed symbol on the bondpaper following the correct flow
of the activity.
5. Check that all assigned details and elements have been added.
6. Check that the details are clear and easy to identify.
7. Finish the activity within 15 minutes.
Assessment Method: Observation and Picture Analysis

Performance Criteria Checklist 4.1.1

CRITERIA

Did you.
1. Prepare your supplies on your armchair.
2. By following the activities listed on the performance
objective, list down first the steps needed for each
activity.
3. Choose the correct symbol needed for each activity.
4. Draw the needed symbol on the bondpaper following
the correct flow of the activity.
5. Check that all assigned details and elements have
been added.

YES

NO

6. Check that the details are clear and easy to identify.

7. Finish the activity within 15 minutes.

Scoring Rubrics 4.1.1

Preparation
of
Flowcharts

Drawing

10

*All
assigned
details
and
elements
have been
added.
*The
details are
clear and
easy to
identify.

*All
assigned
details/ele
ments (at
least 85%)
have been
added.

*Almost all
assigned
details and
elements
(at least
75%) have
been
added.

*Fewer
than 75%
of the
assigned
details
and
elements
are
present.

*Fewer
than 65%
of the
assigned
details and
elements
are
present.

*The
details are
clear and
easy to
identify.

*A few
details are
difficult to
identify.

*All details
*Most
are
details are
difficult to
difficult to
identify.
identify.