Multiple tasks, multiple organizations and persons (actors) and multiple resources (including information) often connect to make up one "task." The Business Flow Diagram uses simple diagrams to represent these relationships (order of tasks and responsible actors, input, timing etc.) in graphic form. There are numerous graphical notation techniques (for example, rules regarding what diagram signifies what). In Japan, textbooks for diagnosing small and medium size corporations have introduced the followings:

• JIS flowcharts (JISX0121) (Programming language education)
• Sannodai flowcharts (Operational process manual)
• NOMA flowcharts
• Japan Management Association flowcharts

However, recently there has emerged a growing need for the Business Flow Diagram as an in-house visualization tool for understanding internal controls in the internal control reporting systems based on the SOX Act, and for a ready-to-use document format for information systems development (particularly, BPMS), and a range of notation techniques have been weeded out while others are evolving in the midst of worldwide standardization. Listed below are the main notation techniques.

• JIS flowcharts (JISX0121) (Programming language education)
• Sannodai flowcharts (Operational process manual)
• NOMA flowcharts
• Japan Management Association flowcharts

The Business Flow Diagram is also referred to as "a flowchart," "a business process diagram," "a process model diagram," as well as simply "a process diagram." There is no particular fixed expression. In official J-SOX documentation from the Financial Services Agency, it is referred to as a "Business Flow Diagram." In the specification documents for BPMN it is defined as a Business Process Diagram (BPD).