Hi Allan

I use pen and paper to think about the flows and then excel to record it in a matrix. But if I want to produce a nice looking deliverable for client/stakeholder feedback, Omnigraffle is the most efficient. Really easy to use, loads of templates and looks 'pretty'

Cheers
Rich

How about Axure for flow diagrams and user scenarios? I guess that's one of the few software tools UX practitioners use that runs on Windows.

I tend to use pen and paper, myself.

When I first started I used Visio. Then I used Word or PowerPoint for MRD/PRD and pasted in the Visio flows into the document. Then I moved to PowerPoint 2007 and just made storyboards with the process flow in the beginning (made with PowerPoint).

Now I use Balsamiq for everything.

Of course, I always make this stuff with pencil or whiteboard or shadow-puppets at first, but at some point you need to get it digital.

I've heard great things about OmniGraffle on the Mac.

Omnigraffle is my tool of choice, but as I'm restricted to a PC at work Visio is fine for doing flow diagrams.

For user journeys I find using Powerpoint 2007 is quite sufficient, when I need to progress from my sketch pad. Powerpoint has Smart Art that is perfect for representing user journeys. Of course it's a nice by-product that it's purpose-built for presentations.

I use mindmanager for flow diagrams and Axure for prototyping and wireframes.

Ah, and if you have to make UML charts then Visio does the job. But generally I hate using visio...

No one tool gets all aspects right ;)

Even with the GUUI libraries, I find Visio just too clunky and (irrelevant) feature rich for basic wireframing and user journeys.

I'm a Balsamiq devotee now after having tried to push through the Visio pain barrier (and failed, badly!). What it really excels at are:

• QUICK prototyping - almost as quick as pencil and paper
• Flexible - can draw all kinds of visualisations, not necessarily wireframes also lots of community generated mockups for all kinds of usage beyond wireframing (e.g. use cases).
• Web app - location independence means you can load it up anywhere, quickly...so if you have a eureka moment at home, on the road or anywhere away from your work PC you can quickly and easily get it down in Balsamiq and have a play.

Of course I hate the Comic Sans font, but I understand the need for conveying a low fidelity concept in sketchy style, as opposed to a slick prototype that might imply to other stakeholders greater advances in development than they actually are (i.e. expectation setting).

Honestly, Balsamiq has changed my professional life! Also 'Peldi' the CEO, dev and all-round nice guy is very accessible and open to community changes. Way nicer than some of the bigger software houses that aren't anywhere near as willing to hear or move with users.

Hope this helps....I promise I don't work for Balsamiq...I'm just so deeply in love with it that I'm now a flag holding, t-shirt wearing, dribbling fanboy :)

I don't think there is specific software for this, partially because as IA/UX people, our deliverables can very from company to company and even client to client.

I used to use Balsamiq with Napkee for Wireframes, since the Napkee addon made turning wireframes into prototypes so much easier - but it was still a bit buggy. I discovered iPlotz recently, and have been in love with it. I did a writeup ere, if it helps: http://www.snipe.net/2010/02/wireframes/

I use Omnigraffle for user flows/data, etc. Usually Excel for content requirements, tasking, etc.

I would say that Visio (like you mentioned) is the best tool out there for that specific purpose. Visio is all about flow diagrams. The other tools mentioned (specifically Axure and Omnigraffle for sure) can do that as well, but flow diagrams aren't their primary function.

I have been using Balsamiq for this kind of work, it's very simple but has been serving us well.