Flow Crimes

Our visual archive of diagrams that break down complex systems and processes

What is Flow Crimes?

Flow Crimes is our growing collection of diagrams that visualize complex systems, automation workflows, and architectural patterns. Each diagram is designed to bring clarity to technical concepts and serve as both a learning tool and a reference.

The name "Flow Crimes" reflects our lighthearted approach to identifying and fixing problematic flows and systems—turning "crimes" against clarity into opportunities for improvement.

Many of these diagrams are featured in our Diagram the Damn Thing podcast episodes, where we break them down in detail.

Featured Diagrams

CI/CD Pipeline Flow

CI/CD Pipeline Flow

A comprehensive visualization of a modern CI/CD pipeline with automated testing and deployment stages.

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Kubernetes Architecture

Kubernetes Architecture

Breaking down the components of a Kubernetes cluster and how they interact.

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Event-Driven Systems

Event-Driven Systems

Mapping out event flows in distributed systems and their implications for scalability.

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Automation Value Curve

Automation Value Curve

Visualizing the diminishing returns of automation efforts and finding the optimal balance.

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Our Diagram Tools

We create our diagrams primarily using Lucidchart, which allows us to build clear, professional visualizations of complex systems and processes.

Each diagram follows a consistent visual language with clear labels, appropriate use of color, and a focus on readability and understanding.

Diagram Principles

  • Visual clarity over complexity
  • Consistent use of shapes and colors
  • Clear labels and annotations
  • Logical flow and organization
  • Focus on the most important elements

Why Diagrams Matter

At Methodical Cloud, we believe that visual thinking is essential for understanding complex systems. Diagrams help clarify concepts, identify patterns, and communicate ideas more effectively than text alone.

Each diagram is carefully crafted to provide clarity and insight, serving as both a learning tool and a reference for implementation.