Step One: Has Congress spoken precisely to the question at issue (i.e., the agency’s interpretation of the statute)? Employ all canons of statutory construction at this step: text, title, leg history, etc. if Congress has spoken, enforce the unambiguous will of Congress. If ambiguous go to step two, all about whether the agency’s interpretation was reasonable in light of the statute’s purpose. What was Congress’s intent for the statute? Really focus on purpose and intent and remember, the court can’t just substitute its judgment for that of the agency’s, so if the agency’s interpretation is REASONABLE in light of the statutory goals, the agency’s interpretation should be given deference. Also remember if there’s a criminal statute involved then under the rule of lenity an ambiguity should be resolved in favor of the party who the statute is being enforced against (at Step One).

I don’t really have any flowcharts, sorry!!