The flatplan is a page plan of a publication that shows how the articles and adverts are laid out.
It allows complete control of the publication production process avoiding confusion.
Flatplans started life drawn out on pieces of paper stuck to the wall of the production team.
Many synchronise with Adobe InDesign updating with the most recent version of the artwork for each page as the designer is working on it.
Other examples include linking to ad booking systems where copy chasing is automated.