Process Documentation: Creating a Flowchart for PI Badge Manufacturing Essay

In this reflection paper I will be reflecting on the process documentation assignment that involved creating a flowchart for the PI Badge Manufacturing Company (PIBMC). I personally have created a flowchart for the revenues and cash receipts part of the company and have reviewed two other flowcharts representing manufacturing and purchases. The two main points of this reflection paper will be describing how creating the diagrams altered my perceptions of a business and accounting for the business and I will also explain any differences in mindset in preparing versus reviewing flowcharts. I will start with the first important point. By creating the diagrams, my perceptions of a business and accounting have been altered in many ways. One of the ways my perception of accounting have been altered is it helped me understand what process is going after a certain process. For example, after the purchase order (PO) has been accepted, it will be prepared on electronic invoice/picking list. After electronic invoice have been created, one copy goes to the accounting department and another copy goes to a customer, which makes perfect sense. The one part that I missed originally is the picking list, which supposed to go to the warehouse from the sales department. But, the way I had it set up was that picking slip was send to the warehouse from the accounting department, which is not accurate. The reason it is not accurate is because the customer would be billed first, and only after that receive the product. It is also will take the process twice as long to carry out the transactions, because the warehouse would have to wait for the accounting department to get done. My perception of business was also altered. For example, I can now see that as a manager I could use a flowchart to assign duties to employees and employees will have a clear understanding of the reporting structure in an organization. This was the eye opening moment for me. Now, I will move on and talk about any differences in mindset in preparing versus reviewing flowcharts. The second main point of this reflection paper is to explain any differences in mindset in preparing versus reviewing flowcharts. One main difference between creating and preparing is the pressure that was hanging over me to get it right. For example, I didn’t know how to start or even how to attach the lines between the figures. It was challenging and really helpful experience to know for the business and accounting professionals. When I was reviewing flowcharts, I was using my knowledge to find any mistakes that have been created. For example, I moved the figures around to make sure the lines were attached. I checked to make sure the right figures were used for processes, and also checked make sure the flowchart is making any sense in general. Now, I will summarize what I have discussed in this reflection paper. In conclusion, this reflection paper explained two main points which are to describe how creating the diagrams altered my perceptions of a business and accounting for the business and explain any differences in mindset in preparing versus reviewing flowcharts. It is also important to note that creating a flowchart is not as simple as reading and editing already created flowchart. It is critically important for an organization to have a well-designed flowchart, because it is essentially a summary of the flow of a business processes. It is important to note that the speed, the accuracy, and the controls of the business depend on the processes summarized in a flowchart.