Using Data Flow Diagrams
[Chapter 7]
System Analysis and Design
-- Kendall and Kendall
-- Elias M. Awad
Prepared by - Mijanur Rahaman,
Asst. Prof. of CSE, BUBT
1/13/2019
Data Flow Diagrams 2
A series of layered data flow diagrams may be used to
represent and analyze detailed procedures in the larger
system.
• Graphically characterize data processes and
flows in a business system
• Depict:
– System inputs
– Processes
– Outputs
Prepared by - Mijanur Rahaman,
1/13/2019 Asst. Prof. of CSE, BUBT
Advantages of the Data Flow Approach 3
• Freedom from committing to the technical
implementation too early
• Understanding of the interrelatedness of
systems and subsystems
• Communicating current system knowledge to
users
• Analysis of the proposed system
Prepared by - Mijanur Rahaman,
1/13/2019 Asst. Prof. of CSE, BUBT
The Four Basic Symbols Used in Data Flow Diagrams,
4
Their Meanings, and Examples
(Figure 7.1)
• A double square for
an external entity
• An arrow for
movement of data
from one point to
another
• A rectangle with
rounded corners for
the occurrence of a
transforming
process
• An open-ended
rectangle for a data
store
Prepared by - Mijanur Rahaman,
1/13/2019 Asst. Prof. of CSE, BUBT
Steps in Developing Data Flow Diagrams 5
(Figure 7.2)
• Data flow diagrams
can and should be
drawn systematically.
• To begin a data flow
diagram, collapse the
organization’s system
narrative into a list
with four categories
of external entity,
data flow, process,
and data store. This
list helps determine
the boundaries of the
system. Next begin
drawing the context
diagram.
Prepared by - Mijanur Rahaman,
1/13/2019 Asst. Prof. of CSE, BUBT
Creating the Context Diagram 6
• The highest level in a data flow diagram
• Contains only one process, representing the
entire system
• The process is given the number 0
• All external entities, as well as major data flows
are shown
• The diagram does not contain any data
stores.
Prepared by - Mijanur Rahaman,
1/13/2019 Asst. Prof. of CSE, BUBT
Context Diagram Example 7
(Figure 7.3)
Prepared by - Mijanur Rahaman,
1/13/2019 Asst. Prof. of CSE, BUBT
Drawing Diagram 0 8
• The explosion of the context diagram
• May include up to nine processes-Including more
than nine processes will result in a cluttered diagram that is
difficult to understand.
• Each process is numbered
• Major data stores and all external entities are
included
Prepared by - Mijanur Rahaman,
1/13/2019 Asst. Prof. of CSE, BUBT
Drawing Diagram 0 9
Continued
• Start with the data flow from an entity on
the input side
• Work backward from an output data flow
• Examine the data flow to or from a data
store
• Analyze a well-defined process
• Take note of any fuzzy areas
Prepared by - Mijanur Rahaman,
1/13/2019 Asst. Prof. of CSE, BUBT
Note Greater Detail in Diagram 0 10
(Figure 7.3)
Prepared by - Mijanur Rahaman,
1/13/2019 Asst. Prof. of CSE, BUBT