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Converting Static Process Diagrams to Visio 2007
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During Northwind’s original process analysis project, the business analyst created a number of process diagrams using Microsoft Excel®, PowerPoint®, and Word. The COO saw some value in these diagrams, because he believed the diagrams accurately captured the workflow associated with each business process. However, in their native format, the diagrams were not useful for in-depth business process analysis or process modeling, because they were static and not linked to any data source.
Importing Static Office Flowcharts into Visio for Process Analysis
The first step to move the project forward was to convert the existing process diagrams created in other Office formats into Visio format, so actual process analysis and modeling could be performed. Initially, this step seemed daunting because the COE team was still getting acquainted with the Visio platform. The COE team leader estimated that recreating all of the diagrams in Visio could take two weeks or more. While the COO and the team leader debated the value of recreating the diagrams, another team member discovered that Visio had the capability to import diagrams directly from other Office formats. Using the Flowchart Converter for Visio 2007, the team quickly transferred all of the diagrams into Visio format in a matter of two mouse clicks. (See details of conversion steps.)
PowerPoint Process Diagram |
Process Diagram Converted
to Visio and Formatted |
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