Here is a list of best free process mapping software for Windows. Process mapping is used to visually describe the flow of work in the form of a process flowchart. To describe the flow of work, these software provides various symbols like Decision Boxes, Oval (to show start and end of the process), Process symbol (rectangle), Connecting Lines (to show the direction of workflow), etc. By using symbols to show the process and elements of the process, you can create a process map. Not just process map but diagrams like Block Diagram, Class Diagram, UML Diagrams, etc. can also be created through these.
The procedure for creating a process map is pretty simple and similar in all software. The procedure includes dropping required elements to canvas through mouse, connecting elements using connectors, and naming each element. To further customize the process map, you can use additional tools like change text font, align elements, color, etc. After creating a process map, you can export or save it as PDF, XML, HTML, SVG, PNG, etc. formats.
My Favorite Process Mapping Software For Windows:
yEd Graph Editor is my favorite software because it lets you can create as well as analyze process maps. The tools present in this software are pretty easy to use which make the process map making simpler. Plus, it also enables you to work on multiple projects at a time due to its multi-tab interface.
yEd Graph Editor
yEd Graph Editor is a free process mapping software for Windows. Using it, you can create various types of diagrams and flowcharts. You can find all essential symbols to map a process in it like Oval (to represent start/end of a process), Rectangle (to represent tasks), Diamond (to represent decision points), Arrows (to show the process flow), etc. Plus, its multi-tab interface is another handy feature to work on multiple diagrams at a time.
To create a process map, first, drag and drop required symbols from the Shape Nodes menu to the canvas. After placing symbols on canvas, join them using directional arrows by clicking and dragging the cursor from one block to another. At last, name or add a label to each symbol to complete your process map.
Apart from creating the process map, you can also analyze the map using tools like Analyze Graph (to analyze graph structure in terms of node count, visual, topology, etc.), Centrality Measure (determining importance of a node in map), Structure View (to view process map in a structural view), Neighborhood View, etc. After the analysis, you can save the process map as SWF, SVG, PDF, HTML, PNG, etc. file formats.
Dia
Dia is another free process mapping software for Windows. It is mainly used as a diagram editor software through which you can create and edit diagrams like Entity Relationship diagrams, UML diagrams, Flowcharts, Network diagrams, etc. For each diagram type, it has a specific section like Assorted, Flowchart, UML, etc. containing multiple dedicated shapes and elements to make a specific type of diagram. Although it does not provide a dedicated process mapping section, still all symbols required to make a process map are present in its Flowchart section. It also comes with a multitab interface that allows you to work on multiple process maps at a time.
To create a process map, place all necessary symbols to the canvas like Oval, Rectangle, Decision Box, etc. After placing the symbols, select line tools (line, arc, etc.) to join symbols to show process flow and relationship between symbols. Lastly, label each symbol using the Text tool and save or export the process map as SVG, PS, PNG, JPG, GIF, etc. file formats.
Diagram Designer
Diagram Designer is the next free process mapping software through which you can also create Diagrams, Flowcharts, Illustrations, Slideshows, etc. This software actually does not have any separate process mapping section, but you can use elements of its Flowchart section as process mapping symbols. In its flowchart section, you also get various types of connecting arrows that you can use to show the process flow.
The process of making the process map is quite simple in it, but it lacks grid lines and scale which are its biggest drawbacks. Now, to make the process map, drag all the required flowchart symbols from the Flowchart section and drop them on the main canvas. After that, drop all connectors (directional lines) to the canvas and join all symbols to show the direction of the process. Lastly, name each symbol to represent the function of each symbol. If you want to further make enhancements on the process map, then you can use tools like Text and Gradient color (to highlight boxes or text by filling them with different colors), Draw tools (to manually draw shapes), etc. After completion, you can export the process map diagram in GIF, JPG, PNG, EMF, ICO, etc. formats.
Pencil
Pencil is a free open source process mapping software for Windows. Using it, you can also create prototypes of apps for both iOS and Android platforms. In it, you get a large collection of shapes/ symbols which are necessary to create a process map such as Directional Arrows, Decision Box Symbol, Oval symbol (to represent the start and end of a process). etc. There are a total of 10 shape categories present in it, and in every shape category, you get a large number of shapes. Using the available shapes, you can easily create process maps, flowcharts, etc.
To create the process map, first, drop required symbols to the canvas. After that, connect symbols using the connectors to define the relation. Lastly, label each box and specify different colors to symbols using the color tools of the top toolbar. In the toolbar, you get many other tools which may be useful for you like Alignment, Text Style, Line Style, Size, Rotation, etc. After making the process map, you can export it as PNG, PDF, SVG, and ODT files.
ClickCharts
ClickCharts is another free diagram and flowchart maker software through which you can also create process maps. In it, you get all essential symbols like arrows, oval, rectangle, decision boxes, etc. which you need to create a process map. There are many dedicated sections containing elements to draw a specific type of diagram (flowchart, UML, ER, etc. diagrams). In its Flowchart and General Shapes Section, you can find all process mapping symbols.
In order to create the process map, go to the flowchart and general shapes section and drop all required symbols to the canvas. After that, join symbols using arrow connectors to show the direction of the process. Now, to complete the diagram, label each element through its text tool. After making the process map, you can save it as ClickCharts Diagram file or export it in PNG, PDF, GIF, JPEG, BMP, SVG, etc. formats.
This software has more useful tools that may also come in handy like Canvas Scale (to help you make accurate diagrams), Multi-tab support (create multiple use case diagrams at once), Auto-Connect (to connect two symbols automatically), Lock (to prevent diagram from accidental changes), etc.
Note: This software is free for only non-commercial use. To use it commercially, you need to purchase its license.
Software Ideas Modeler
Software Ideas Modeler is a free and portable process mapping software for Windows. Using it, you can express your ideas in the form of diagrams. It is also an ideal software to show the flow of process in an organization, software, machine, etc. Along with the process map, you can also create various types of diagrams like ER diagram, Flowchart Diagram, Requirement Diagram, Mixed Diagram, etc. Although, you can notice that there is no process mapping section in it, still, basic elements required to create a process map are available in its Flowchart Section.
Now, to create a process map, go to the Project Menu and select the Flowchart Section. As soon as you do that, you will be able to see Symbols (Decision, Blocks, Oval, Directional Arrows, etc.) at the left side of the interface. Plus, project view (to show the overview of the diagram), and preview windows are also available. To assign names of process map symbols, select add text option from the right-click menu and type the name of the process. After that, join symbols according to the relationship between them using the directional arrows. After completion, you can export the process map as EMF, WMF, PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP, PDF, etc. formats.
Note: This software is only free for non-commercial use and some of its features are also locked. To remove all the limitations, you need to purchase the paid version of this software.
LibreOffice Draw
LibreOffice Draw is a free open source diagram creation software for Windows. In it, you can create various types of diagrams like Block Diagram, Flowchart, UML Diagram, Object Diagram, etc. including the process map diagram. In it, you get a very handy side toolbar that contains all essential symbols or elements to create a process map like Oval, Rectangle, Decision Box, Connectors, etc. Apart from essential tools, you also get useful tools like Fill color (to change colors of elements), Text (to name elements), Fontwork (to change text font), Insert (to add tables, images, etc.), etc.
Now, to draw the process map, first, drop all the important symbols to the canvas. Then position each symbol in the right order through the mouse. After that, connect each symbol using connectors to show the relationship between elements. Lastly, name each element using the text tool to finish the process map. The finished process map can easily be exported in formats like PDF, HTML, TIFF, SWF, GIF, etc.
This software comes as a part of the LibreOffice Suite in which you can find more handy software like LibreOffice Writer, Presentation, Spreadsheet, etc. Overall, it is another good software to create a process map.
Diagram Ring
Diagram Ring is a free open source process mapping software for Windows. Using this software, you can create many types of diagrams like DFD, Flowcharts, UML, ERD, etc. including the process map. For different diagram types, it provides different sections containing diagram elements and connectors. However, it does not come with any process mapping section. So, to create the process map, you need to use elements of other available sections which are similar to symbols of the process map.
To create the process map, just add required symbols and connectors to the canvas. After that, you can resize as well as join symbols and connectors to create the structure of the process map. Now, to name each symbol use its Functions section that also provides additional features like background color changer, font remover, symbol remover, duplicate nodes, etc. Once the process map gets completed, you can export it as JPG and save it as a local project file.
Note: Many features along with some part of the interface is not working properly which is its main drawback.