Why Use Diagrams?

To help overcome the communication

problem between users and developers.
Diagrams

help communication
help understanding
are unambiguous

Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs)

Graphical system model that shows all main requirements

for an IS in one diagram
Inputs/outputs
Processes
Data storage

Easy to read and understand with minimal training (only 5

symbols used)

Data Flow Diagrams

Low-hanging
apple

Data flow diagrams focus on:

1. Processes within a system that
a) Transform data/material
inputs to outputs

Pick apple
Picked
apple
Picked
apples

b) Store data/materials
2. Flows
a) Within the system between the processes
and stores,

DFD Symbols

The square is an external agent (a person or

organization, outside the boundary of a system that
provides data inputs or accepts data outputs)
The rectangle with rounded corners is a process
A process defines rules (algorithms or procedures) for
transforming inputs into outputs
The lines with arrows are data flows (represents
movement of data).
The flat three-sided rectangle is a data store (a file or
part of a database that stores information about data
entity)

Data
Flow
Diagram
Symbols

Lets start with a simple example: Making a PBJ

sandwich

Processes and Flow

Here is the logical model for preparing your sandwich.
The model contains all the essential processes and
flows.

But what if you were preparing the sandwich in

the morning,
and it is supposed to be your lunch?
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Process, Flow, and Storage

Here, the sandwich is constructed and stored
for later consumption.
Thus, the storage element is required to
implement this system,
But it is not required to make a PBJ sandwich.

The Context Diagram

The Context Diagram is an overall,
simplified view of the system, which
contains only one process box, and
the primary inputs and outputs
This example is
part of a Home
Catalogue sales
system

Context Diagrams

DFD that summarizes all processing

activity for the system or subsystem

Highest level (most abstract) view of

system

Shows system boundaries

System scope is represented by a single

process, external agents, and all data flows
into and out of the system
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DFD and Levels of Abstraction

DFD is a modeling technique that breaks the system into a hierarchical set
of increasingly more detailed models

DFD may reflect the processing at either a higher level (more general view
of the system) or at lower level (a more detailed view of one process)

These different views of the system (higher level versus low level) creates
the levels of abstraction

DFDs are decomposed into additional diagrams to provide multiple levels of

detail

Higher-level diagrams provide general views of system

Lower-level diagrams provide detailed views of system

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The Top Level DFD

The purpose of
this is to show
the major
processes which
are included in
the system

Top-Down Modeling Process Decomposition

Next, you draw data flow diagrams for what is
happening inside each Level 0 function, etc.
Note the numbering
convention on the
processes.
Syste
m
Context Diagram
2
3
1
3.
3.
Level 0
1
3
3.
Level 1
2
Level 2

DFD Example

A Health Club keeps

information on its members
Membership is subdivided
into Full, Daily and Associate
On the 1st of each month, the
payments clerk checks the
records and sends out
reminders to members
whose subscription expires
this month.
When payment is received,
the subscription is renewed.

Context
Diagram
member
details

Members

The oval boxes are external to

the system. They are the
sources and targets of
information.

0 Club
receipt and
membership
details

In this case, the members are

both sources and targets and
the data flows in different
directions. The diagonal lines
indicate that they are actually
the same thing.

System for
Renewing
Membership
reminder

renewal
payment
details

Members

Level 1 DVD: Reminders

Payments
Clerk
memo on
1st Month

member
payment
status

member
ID

D1

name,
address

1 Office
Check
Records
member
ID

Payment Records

2 Office
Prepare
Reminder
reminder

Member

D2

Member Details

Context Diagram
By observing system boundaries, we can draw a
Context Diagram which shows the system we are
analyzing (target system),
and the systems that our
Target
system interacts with. system
for
analysis

Level 0
Level 0 shows the major functions and stores
inside the Context Diagram target system.
Note the
numberin
g on the
functions

Layers of DFD
Abstraction
for Course
Registration
System

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