How do flowcharts show the relationships between components of a system?

In the context of systems engineering, a flowchart serves as a fundamental graphical tool used to visualize the structure and operation of a system.1

These diagrams represent individual components or subsystems as closed boxes. The relationships and interactions between these components are illustrated by arrows connecting the boxes, which indicate the flow or sequence of operations within the system.21

While flowcharts are highly effective for initial studies and qualitative analysis, they provide a simplified view of system architecture. Because they are essentially qualitative, engineers often supplement them with mathematical models to describe system interactions in quantitative terms, allowing for more rigorous analysis and optimization of performance.1