BPMN 2.0 OR CLASSIC FLOWCHARTS?

If you visualize processes, sooner or later you will be faced with the question: "Should I use BPMN 2.0 or classic flowcharts to visualize my process?" One is not better than the other. They each have their use.

Classic flowcharts have a relatively small body of symbols. In our extensive experience, many people working with classic flowcharts, use 4-6 different types of symbols to visualize their process. Less symbols means less differentiation or less detail. But less symbols also entails that it is easier to learn and explain. Even if you are standing in front of a completely uninitiated audience, you can explain the symbols quickly and your audience will understand your process. To quote a senior consultant we used to work with: "I am done explaining that stuff before you can whistle the tune of Let It Snow." Classic flowcharts also have a longer history of more than a century which means it has had time to penetrate a wider audience.

BPM 2.0 is relatively young. The 2.0 stems from 2011 and the original 1.0 was about a decade older. This means less time for market penetration. It has more rigid rules and a bigger set of symbols. While this allows for highly technical and detailed process mapping, it goes at the expense of ease of understanding. You need more time to master it. You need more time to explain your audience how to read it.

Classic flowcharts are best used when you are communicating with a wide audience and very small technical process details are not the main message. BPMN 2.0 is best used when even the smallest technical process information matters and when you are communicating with a technical audience that knows how to read the BMPN 2.0 notation.