A
Data Flow Diagram, or DFD, is used to display the flow of data in an
information system. There are 2 types of notation used in a DFD: Yourdon &
Coad or Gane & Sarson.
They differ in the types of shapes used to describe
a process and data store. A data flow diagram includes four components: terminators/external
entities, processes, data stores, data flows.
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A DFD is most useful when it is necessary
to document the flow of data within a currently used system, or a system that
is in the process of being built. Data flow diagrams are helpful for both
software engineers and operations personnel because their creation does not
require technical knowledge.
Best Practices:
Identify the process: Define the start and
end point for the process to be examined.
Add a process: Once the starting point has
been established, add a process. In a DFD, processes are represented by circles
with labels in the center. Draw the circle spaced slightly apart from the start
point.
Draw a flow line: Connect the start point
and first process with a solid line ending in an arrowhead. The arrowhead
should point from the start point toward the first the process, indicating the
direction in which the information is flowing.
Repeat: Continue to add processes and data
flow lines until all of the systems processes have been added. When adding data
flow lines, start the line at the process that is sending information out, and
end the line with the process that is receiving the information.
Datastores & files: Some processes
produce files (such as a Word document) or store information. These are called
data stores, places in which information is remembered, so that it can be
accessed by others at different times. They are noted by two horizontal &
parallel lines. When a process leads to a file, add a data store along the data
flow line between two processes.
Verify accuracy: Consult with all
stakeholders to verify accuracy.
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