Leverage AI to Create Process Diagrams and Visualizations

Table of Contents

• Introduction to the Show Me ChatGPT Plugin
• Using Show Me to Generate Process Diagrams
• Benefits and Applications
• Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Introduction to the Show Me ChatGPT Plugin

ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence system developed by Anthropic to have natural conversations and be helpful, harmless, and honest. The conversational agent is built on GPT-3 and GPT-4, advanced natural language processing models by Anthropic. Recently, Anthropic introduced plugins - add-ons that provide ChatGPT with extra capabilities beyond general conversation.

One such plugin is Show Me, which allows users to create simple diagrams and flowcharts by describing them in text. The plugin is accessible through ChatGPT's plugin store, which paid subscribers can access when starting a new chat.

Overview of ChatGPT and GPT-4

ChatGPT is built on GPT-3 and GPT-4, natural language processing models developed by Anthropic. GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer - these models are 'generative' in that they can generate new text after training on vast datasets. The 'transformer' architecture allows them to understand context and relationships in text. GPT-3 was released in 2020 as an upgrade to previous GPT versions, with 175 billion parameters. GPT-4 was then released in 2022, dramatically improving on GPT-3 with 1.3 trillion parameters. These upgrades have allowed ChatGPT to hold more nuanced conversations and perform more complex language tasks.

Accessing the Plugin Store

The ChatGPT plugin store is currently only available to paid subscribers. When starting a new chat, paid users can select the 'Plugins' option to browse the store. There are over 100 plugins available spanning many functions, from diagrams to SQL queries to SEO optimization. The plugins are slowly rolling out to all paid users. Simply access the store when starting a new chat to see if Show Me or any others are available for you to enable.

Using Show Me to Generate Process Diagrams

The Show Me plugin allows users to create process flowcharts, org charts, network diagrams, and more simply by describing them in natural language. Here's how it works:

First, when starting a new chat, browse the plugins and select Show Me. Then in the chat box, describe the process or workflow step-by-step just as you would explain it to another person. Use clear phrases like 'the first step is...' or 'next, the system will...'. ChatGPT will interpret this and generate a diagram.

For example, saying 'The first step is the user enters a keyword. Next, the search engine looks up related terms. Finally, the search results page shows.' will create a simple 3-step flowchart.

Defining the Process Flow in Text

The key to using Show Me effectively is writing out the process logic clearly and sequentially. Use simple phrases like 'First...', 'The next step...', 'After that...' to indicate the ordering of steps. Avoid complex sentences and instead break down the process into simple logical steps. Stick to key nouns and verbs that describe each step in the process.

Viewing the Resulting Process Diagram

Once ChatGPT interprets your process description, it will generate a link to view the diagram online. The diagram will visualize the sequential steps and logic flow you defined. You can then edit, resize, or rearrange elements in the diagram using the online editor. When ready, you can export the diagram as an image or PDF file for use in documents and presentations.

Benefits and Applications

Documenting Business Processes

Show Me provides a fast way to create simple diagrams of business processes, customer journeys, and internal workflows. These visuals help document processes for training and reference. Rather than using complex diagramming software, process maps can be generated directly in ChatGPT through easy text descriptions. This can save teams time and effort.

Modeling Sales Funnels

The Show Me plugin can also help create sales funnel diagrams by outlining the major stages and steps in the customer journey. Sales teams can use these visuals for presentations, training, and strategizing. The simple editor also allows teams to customize funnels with their own branding, colors, and templates.

Facilitating Compliance

For regulated industries like healthcare and finance, visualizations of internal processes are crucial for compliance. Show Me provides an easy way to document required workflows and controls. Compliance teams can quickly illustrate process flows related to privacy, security, audits, and more based on textual descriptions.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

The Show Me plugin unleashes ChatGPT's diagramming capabilities through simple text-to-diagram generation. This provides an efficient way for teams to visualize processes, workflows, org structures, and more.

We recommend using clear phrasing in logical steps for best results. While the plugin won't handle overly complex diagrams, it's excellent for simple linear flows and visualizing relationships.

As ChatGPT develops more capabilities, Show Me has exciting potential for use in ideation, design collaboration, documentation, and making visual thinking easy.

FAQ

Q: What is the Show Me plugin for ChatGPT?
A: The Show Me plugin allows users to create and edit diagrams directly within ChatGPT conversations. It can interpret text descriptions to auto-generate process flows, hierarchies, and other visuals.

Q: Who has access to ChatGPT plugins?
A: Currently, plugins are available for paid subscribers of ChatGPT. Free users may gain access as rollout continues.

Q: What diagram types can Show Me create?
A: It can make process flows, hierarchies, flowcharts, user flows, sitemaps, and more. Great for business processes, compliance, sales funnels.

Q: How do I activate the Show Me plugin?
A: Navigate to the ChatGPT Plugin Store and enable Show Me. Then invoke it when chatting to have ChatGPT automatically generate diagrams.

Q: Can I customize the diagrams?
A: Yes, Show Me allows easy editing and exporting options to refine the diagrams to your needs.

Q: Does Show Me work for complex processes?
A: Show Me handles moderately complex flows, but extremely complicated processes may need diagramming software.

Q: What are some key benefits of Show Me?
A: Increased efficiency, auto-documentation, saving time over manual diagramming, visual communication, analyzing processes.

Q: Is Show Me available in other languages?
A: Not currently, but more language options may come as ChatGPT develops over time.

Q: Can Show Me integrate with other platforms?
A: You can export diagrams to use anywhere. Direct integrations may emerge later as plugins evolve.

Q: Any tips for getting the most out of Show Me?
A: Describe the process clearly in logical steps. Use Show Me early when planning/discussing processes for quick visuals.