Process Flow Example for Online Order Placement

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Overview

This process flow describes the steps involved when a customer places an order on an e-commerce website. The flow includes browsing products, adding items to the cart, checking out, making a payment, and order confirmation.

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Process Steps

1. Start
   • The process begins when a customer visits the e-commerce website.
2. Browse Products
   • Action: The customer browses through the available products and selects items of interest.
   • Output: The selected items are displayed on the product detail page.
3. Add to Cart
   • Action: The customer adds selected products to the shopping cart.
   • System Process: The system updates the shopping cart and displays the total number of items and the subtotal price.
   • Decision Point: Does the customer want to continue shopping or proceed to checkout?
     • Continue Shopping: Return to “Browse Products.”
     • Proceed to Checkout: Move to the next step.
4. Checkout
   • Action: The customer clicks on the “Checkout” button and is directed to the checkout page.
   • Input: The customer provides shipping information, selects a shipping method, and reviews the order.
5. Enter Payment Details
   • Action: The customer selects a payment method (e.g., credit card, PayPal) and enters payment information.
   • System Process: The system validates the payment information.
6. Decision Point: Payment Validation
   • Condition: Is the payment information valid?
     • Yes: Proceed to “Process Payment.”
     • No: Display an error message and return to “Enter Payment Details.”
7. Process Payment
   • Action: The system processes the payment securely.
   • System Process: The payment is authorized, and the order details are stored in the database.
   • Output: The system updates the order status to “Payment Received.”
8. Generate Order Confirmation
   • Action: The system generates an order confirmation with the order number and details.
   • Output: The customer receives a confirmation email and sees a confirmation message on the screen.
9. Order Fulfillment
   • Action: The order is sent to the warehouse for packing and shipping.
   • System Process: The warehouse system is notified to prepare the shipment.
10. End

• The process ends when the order confirmation is displayed, and the order moves to fulfillment.

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Diagram Layout Description

1. Start Node: A circle indicating the beginning of the process.
2. Activity Nodes: Rectangles representing each action the customer or system takes, such as “Browse Products,” “Add to Cart,” “Checkout,” “Enter Payment Details,” etc.
3. Decision Points: Diamonds representing decisions the customer or system needs to make, such as “Does the customer want to continue shopping?” or “Is the payment information valid?”
4. Arrows: Arrows connecting the nodes to show the sequence and flow of actions.
5. End Node: A circle indicating the end of the process after order confirmation.

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Example Flow Summary

1. The customer starts by browsing products.
2. The customer adds items to the cart and decides to proceed to checkout.
3. The customer provides shipping and payment details.
4. The system validates payment and processes the order.
5. The customer receives order confirmation, and the order is sent for fulfillment.