FigJamVisualize who does what with a swimlane diagram template
Create swimlane diagrams on FigJam’s digital whiteboard to turn highly complex workflows into clear, distinct processes.
It's easier done than said. No, really.
Swimlane diagrams are perfect to visually distinguish roles and responsibilities in a project with multiple stakeholders. Start by organizing these components:
Process mapping goal: Use the text box tool inside FigJam to add headings, blocks of text, or bulleted lists to describe the goal of your activity diagram.
Functional bands or work groups: Insert horizontal or vertical swimlanes with shapes to map the employees, teams, and departments that own each lane.
Tasks and milestones: Elbow connectors and straight lines can snap onto existing shapes to visualize your entire process step-by-step.
Anything is doable when you’re in a state of flow.
- Break down complex processes with a logical starting point. In the landing page example above, confirming page copy is what sets things in motion.
- Once you delineate who does what from there, every checkpoint follows inevitably from the previous one.
- If you’re new to swimlane diagrams, duplicate this template below to get started.
FigJamFinally, don’t go at it alone.
- Our whiteboard collaboration tool is built around a multiplayer experience. Simply copy a link to the swimlane diagram or update the link sharing settings to get your peers in there.
- Spot any bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or redundancies? Let the team add visual feedback on the board with stamps and emotes.
- View avatars of anyone active on your flowchart and click through to see their actions in real time.
Visual project management for teams that jam together.
Make process improvement quick and easy with these swimlane diagram templates. Or, if you want to see how other teams jam with FigJam, head over to our Community.
FAQs
A swimlane diagram is a visual project management tool that helps distinguish key roles, organizes processes, and illustrates interactions. The diagram includes different sections (similar to swim lanes in a pool), with each section representing a department, role, or stakeholder. Most swimlane diagrams look similar to a flowchart (representing a step-by-step process with arrows) while also acting as an organizational chart that provides visibility into key participants involved in the process.
Our free swimlane diagram template is an easy way to build diagrams and manage project timelines.
Kickstart the project planning process by establishing a clear goal with target start and end dates.
Then, determine your swimlanes (vertical or horizontal columns) and map out the owners of each lane. From there, add key steps within your process flow (customize with different symbols or text). Connect key steps with arrows, elbow connectors, and straight lines to visualize workflows across each team.
A swimlane diagram template can help with any team's strategic planning process. Common use cases include:
- Creating a cross functional flowchart to help project managers keep track of different departments or multiple processes.
- Proactively identifying dependencies, inefficiencies, or bottlenecks that may impact your next launch.
- Using a diagram template to help gather additional support for team members and streamline the entire process flow.
A flowchart is a diagram that visualizes a process or workflow from start to finish. Similarly, a swimlane diagram (sometimes referred to as a swimlane flowchart) is a type of flowchart that maps out a process using “lanes” (or sections) that represent different teams. Swimlane diagrams are especially helpful for understanding dependencies between different departments responsible for complex processes.
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