How To Use A Cheap Mac App To Diagram Work Processes, Flow Charts, Org Charts, Drag And Drop

Work processes. Just the thought of detailing how and when things should get done gives me the shivers. Well, actually, they’re shivers of delight.

Years ago, my husband turned me on to the world of flow charts and diagrams. That’s how we met. Since then, I’ve been infatuated with both. Flow charts and my husband. What I learned about diagramming work processes is how to think more clearly, to build in contingencies, and to let my hand think for me.

Today, there’s a Mac app that can do all that for you.

Think More Clearly, Drag And Drop

If the thought of doing flow charts, or org charts, or any kind of detailed diagramming sends you on a trip to Starbucks, remember my story. White boarding and flow charting can be the beginnings of a great romance.

To some, diagramming anything just plain sucks. It’s tedious. It’s trial and error. It’s time consuming. It’s just not fun.

That’s why you need to take a look at Diagrammix. It’s a Mac app that builds diagrams. Think of it as an icon infested white board on your Mac (but without all the dust from marker erasers).

For most of us in business, diagramming flow charts, org charts, or any kind of business work flow is punishment; the kind of chore the boss gives to newbies just off the boat, or ready-to-retire vets the boss doesn’t like.

It doesn’t have to be that way. If you have a Mac and Diagrammix you can diagram anything and have fun, and become a super hero to your boss, and be loved by your co-workers, and have dogs follow you home.

Diagrammix is an inexpensive diagram app that’s full of icons ready to be dropped onto the white board on your Mac’s screen. It features templates, scalable arrows and lines, elements that connect, layout rules, tables, image dropping and image annotation, smart guides, and customizable text.

Did I mention it’s drag and drop? That’s where you begin, whether charting charts, or going with the flow. Drag an icon onto the white space to begin. Draw a line and connect an icon to another icon in the flow.

The whole process of creating a flow chart or org chart or any kind of diagram is rather easy; almost simplistic. And, because it’s tactile (drag and drop and visualize), it starts to become fun (click on any of the screenshot images for a larger, pop up view).

Elements and lines are automatically connected. Drop in text or annotation wherever needed. Elements and connectors and images and icons can all be aligned easily.

There’s a built-in image manager and plenty of icons to get started.

There’s also built-in templates to help you get started. Drag an element from the sidebar pallet, connect them with lines, enter text for each element. Repeat. Rinse.

Connectors can be thin or thick. When you drop in text the element resizes automatically. Drop in images and photos and annotate each. You can even import stencils from Graffletopia.com and drop them into Diagrammix.

To be fair, Diagrammix is not as robust or powerful as the popular OmniGraffle Pro for Mac. But it is easier to use and gives you basic features all at 1/10th the price.

Aha! Now I got your attention, right? One of the side benefits of using an app like Diagrammix, besides ease of use and low price, is how it trains you to think and analyze a work flow. That alone is worth the price of admission. Well, that and the romance that’s sure to follow as your co-workers realize just how valuable you really are.

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