Timing diagram tutorial

5 min

A timing diagram is a specific behavioral modeling diagram that focuses on timing constraints. If you need to know how objects interact with each other during a certain period of time, create a timing diagram with our UML diagramming software and refer to this guide if you need additional insight along the way.

What is a timing diagram?

Think of a timing diagram as an inverted sequence diagram. In a timing diagram, time passes on the x-axis from left to right, with different components of the system that interact with each other on the y-axis. Timing diagrams show how long each step of a process takes. Use them to identify which steps of a process require too much time and to find areas for improvement.

Lucidchart makes the process of creating your timing diagram incredibly easy with its UML software. In fact, you can create any UML diagram in Lucidchart, including sequence diagrams, activity diagrams, and class diagrams. Sign up for a free Lucidchart account today to begin diagramming!

Timing diagram components

With timing diagrams, you can easily diagram a process and identify the major steps it takes to complete the process. First, identify the major participants in the process. If you were to create a timing diagram for a factory, you would identify departments such as design, sourcing, manufacturing, QA, shipping, etc.

Then, follow the process closely, charting the time each product spends with each department. The end result should help factory administration to recognize which departments are understaffed, inefficient, or overloaded.

Timing diagram examples

Boat manufacturing timing diagram example

In this simplified example of a boat manufacturing plant, a timing diagram shows that too much time is spent on the upholstery stages of production. As a result, factory administrators may assign more employees to the upholstery stations or seek out ways to increase efficiency. If administrators can effectively use a timing diagram to increase efficiency, the process can be significantly improved, decreasing both time and money spent on the process.

Water cycle timing diagram example

This timing diagram example shows a simplified version of the water cycle. Since the timing diagram focuses on how long each step takes, not on the system itself, you could think of this as a diagram of the different phases that a water droplet cycles through. If this were a manufacturing process, viewers could easily identify areas for improvement. Timing diagrams are powerful tools for making a system as efficient as possible.

How to create a timing diagram

To put together your timing diagram, you will need to understand the UML basics. Try reviewing our timing diagram overview, along with this tutorial on Unified Modeling Language. Once you have a solid understanding of UML, you can start your timing diagram in Lucidchart.

1. Get started with Lucidchart

Creating UML diagrams in Lucidchart is free and easy. Simply register for a free Lucidchart account if you haven’t already. Log in and open a new document. You can also browse through our UML template library and start with one of our examples.

Lucidchart is also equipped with a feature that imports documents from Visio, Gliffy, and other diagramming platforms.

2. Identify components

To create an accurate timing diagram, it is important to recognize all of the stages in a given process. Participants in a timing diagram can be large entities, such as completely different departments, or small entities, such as workstations in a specific part of a complex process.

3. Add shapes

The first shapes that you should add to your timing diagram are the horizontal containers. Enable the Containers shape library, and then drag one horizontal container onto the canvas to represent the first participant in the process. Use the top menu to increase the number of containers (commonly called “swimlanes”), creating a container for each of the previously identified participants in the process.

Let’s say that you want to create a timing diagram that represents the manufacturing process of a boat. After you identify the main stages in the process (hull, engine, upholstery, and quality checks), add a horizontal lane for each stage.

Now that you have set up the structure of the process, add lines that represent the time spent in each stage of the process. Drag a line from the shape libraries to the left, and fit it to the appropriate lane. The horizontal axis represents time, so any horizontal lines will represent the time that the specific process takes. The vertical axis, on the other hand, shows when a process changes hands from one participant to the next.

Following up with our previous example, the timing diagram was completed by adding lines that reflect the time spent in each stage of the process.

Once you complete your timing diagram, take time to review the diagram to search for areas for potential improvement. In the case of our boat manufacturing example, the upholstery stage looks like it takes far too long, so administrators should increase the efficiency of the upholstery process to decrease the overall time it takes to manufacture one boat.

4. Publish, implement, and share

When you finish your timing diagram, you can easily share it with others. Just click the orange “Share” button at the top-right corner of the Lucidchart editor. Go to advanced options to share your diagram on social media or create a link for both Lucidchart users and non-users to view the document.

You can also embed your diagrams into your favorite apps, including G Suite, Microsoft Office, Confluence, Jira, and Slack, using our Lucidchart integrations.

Lucidchart will also allow you to export your timing diagram into a variety of file types, including PDF, PNG, JPEG, and Visio (VDX). To download the diagram, click File > Download As and choose your preferred file type.

If you’re collaborating on a timing diagram in UML, you have the option to leave comments and see changes in real time with every revision logged for reference so each collaborator sees the most up-to-date version of the diagram.

UML diagram templates and examples

Class diagram with UML notation

Pricing:

Paid Account

Class diagram with UML notation, Pricing: Paid Account

UML communication diagram

Pricing:

Paid Account

UML communication diagram, Pricing: Paid Account

Frequently asked questions

What is a timing diagram?

A timing diagram is an inverted sequence diagram where time passes on the x-axis from left to right, with different system components on the y-axis. It shows how long each step of a process takes to help identify areas for improvement.

What are the main components of a timing diagram?

The main components are horizontal containers (swimlanes) representing participants like departments or stages, with lines showing time spent in each stage horizontally and vertical changes indicating handoffs between participants.

How do I create a timing diagram in Lucidchart?

If you want to manually build a UML timing diagram, open a blank Lucidchart document, enable the UML shape libraries, and then drag and drop symbols onto the canvas to create your diagram. Lucidchart users can save time throughout the diagramming process by using customizable UML templates or generating and iterating on diagrams using Lucid AI.

What shapes do I need for a timing diagram in Lucidchart?

Enable the Containers shape library and drag horizontal containers onto the canvas to represent each participant. Then add lines from the shape libraries to show time duration and process transitions.

How can I share my timing diagram with others?

Click Share at the top-right corner of the Lucidchart editor to create share links or add people directly as collaborators. Lucidchart also allows users to embed diagrams in apps like Google Workspace or Slack or to export them as PDF, PNG, JPEG, or Visio files.

Can I import existing diagrams into Lucidchart?

Yes, Lucidchart can import documents from Visio, Gliffy, and other diagramming platforms, or you can start with UML templates from the library.

How does a timing diagram differ from a sequence diagram?

A timing diagram is an inverted sequence diagram that focuses on how long each step takes and shows time progressing horizontally, while sequence diagrams emphasize the order of interactions between objects.

What can timing diagrams help me identify?

Timing diagrams help users identify which steps of a process require too much time, recognize understaffed or inefficient departments, and find areas for improvement to decrease both time and money spent on processes.

Everything you need to make a UML diagram

In addition to our online UML diagram tool, Lucidchart offers support and training resources to help you branch out to any type of diagram.

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Contents

Timing diagram tutorial

What is a timing diagram?

Timing diagram components

Timing diagram examples