Which term best describes the visual representation of process steps and systems?

The term that best describes the visual representation of process steps and systems is a flowchart. A flowchart uses standardized symbols and notations to illustrate the sequence of actions or steps involved in a particular process. This makes it a powerful tool for visualizing complex systems and workflows.

Flowcharts are particularly valuable for breaking down processes step-by-step and showing how different steps are interconnected. They enable viewers to quickly understand how processes function, identify potential problems, and assess the flow of information. This clarity in representation is essential in software design and development, where comprehending intricate processes is necessary for creating efficient systems.

A model refers to a broader concept of a simplified representation of reality that can describe various elements within a system, not limited to process steps, such as physical models or conceptual frameworks. An algorithm generally conveys a sequence of instructions to solve a problem but does not inherently provide a visual representation. A schema often relates to the structure of a database or a framework to organize information, rather than outlining processes directly. Thus, flowchart is the most suitable choice here, as it specifically addresses the visual representation of process steps.