Data Flow Diagrams (DFD)

Data Flow Diagram

Data Flow Diagram (DFD) is the part of the Structured Systems Analysis and Design Methodology (SSADM), which is intended for information systems projection and analysis. Data Flow Diagrams allow graphically represent the data flows in information system and analyze the data processing during the structural projection. This type of diagrams lets visually show a work of information system and results of this work, it is often used in connection with human processes and can be displayed as Workflow diagram. Data Flow Diagram visualizes processes and functions, external entities, data depositories, and data flows connecting these elements and indicating direction and data character. Each of these elements used for DFD has its own graphical notation. There are two notations to draw DFDs - Yourdon & Coad and Gane & Sarson. ConceptDraw PRO extended with Data Flow Diagrams (DFD) solution from Software Developmant area is ideal for designing professional looking DFDs, which can be then easily exported in various formats.

Basic Flowchart Symbols and Meaning

Flowcharts are the best for visually representation the business processes and the flow of a custom-order process through various departments within an organization. ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with Flowcharts solution offers the full set of predesigned basic flowchart symbols which are gathered at two libraries: Flowchart and Flowcharts Rapid Draw. Among them are: process, terminator, decision, data, document, display, manual loop, and many other specific symbols. The meaning for each symbol offered by ConceptDraw gives the presentation about their proposed use in professional Flowcharts for business and technical processes, software algorithms, well-developed structures of web sites, Workflow diagrams, Process flow diagram and correlation in developing on-line instructional projects or business process system. Use of ready flow chart symbols in diagrams is incredibly useful - you need simply drag desired from the libraries to your document and arrange them in required order. There are a few serious alternatives to Visio for Mac, one of them is ConceptDraw PRO. It is one of the main contender with the most similar features and capabilities.

Process Flowchart

The main reason of using Process Flowchart or PFD is to show relations between major parts of the system. Process Flowcharts are used in process engineering and chemical industry where there is a requirement of depicting relationships between major components only and not include minor parts. Process Flowcharts for single unit or multiple units differ in their structure and implementation. ConceptDraw PRO is Professional business process mapping software for making Process flowcharts, Process flow diagram, Workflow diagram, flowcharts and technical illustrations for business documents and also comprehensive visio for mac application. Easier define and document basic work and data flows, financial, production and quality management processes to increase efficiency of your business with ConcepDraw PRO. Business process mapping software with Flowchart Maker ConceptDraw PRO includes extensive drawing tools, rich examples and templates, process flowchart symbols and shape libraries, smart connectors that allow you create the flowcharts of complex processes, process flow diagrams, procedures and information exchange. Process Flowchart Solution is project management workflow tools which is part ConceptDraw Project marketing project management software. Drawing charts, diagrams, and network layouts has long been the monopoly of Microsoft Visio, making Mac users to struggle when needing such visio alternative like visio for mac, it requires only to view features, make a minor edit to, or print a diagram or chart. Thankfully to MS Visio alternative like ConceptDraw PRO software, this is cross-platform charting and business process management tool, now visio alternative for making sort of visio diagram is not a problem anymore however many people still name it business process visio tools.

DFD Flowchart Symbols

A Data Flow Diagram (DFD) is a graphical technique which allows effectively model and analyze the information processes and systems. The ability to fast and easy create the DFDs is made possible with Data Flow Diagrams solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. For designing the Data Flow Diagrams are used simple DFD flowchart symbols which are connected each other by arrows depicting the data flow from one step to another.

Types of Flowcharts

A Flowchart is a graphical representation of process, algorithm, workflow or step-by-step solution of the problem. It shows the steps as boxes of various kinds and connects them by arrows in a defined order depicting a flow. There are twelve main Flowchart types: Basic Flowchart, Business Process Modeling Diagram (BPMN), Cross Functional Flowchart, Data Flow Diagram (DFD), IDEF (Integrated DEFinition) Flowchart, Event-driven Process Chain (EPC) Diagram, Influence Diagram (ID), Swimlane Flowchart, Process Flow Diagram (PFD), Specification and Description Language (SDL) Diagram, Value Stream Mapping, Workflow Diagram. Using the Flowcharts solution from the Diagrams area of ConceptDraw Solution Park you can easy and quickly design a Flowchart of any of these types. This solution offers a lot of special predesigned vector symbols for each of these widely used notations. They will make the drawing process of Flowcharts much easier than ever. Pay also attention for the included collection of ready Flowchart examples, samples and quick-start templates. This is business process improvement tools. If you are looking for MS Visio for your Mac, then you are out of luck, because it hasn't been released yet. However, you can use Visio alternatives that can successfully replace its functions. ConceptDraw PRO is an alternative to MS Visio for Mac that provides powerful features and intuitive user interface for the same.

Flow chart Example. Warehouse Flowchart

Warehouse Flowcharts are various diagrams that describe the warehousing and inventory management processes on the warehouses. Typical purposes of Warehouse Flowcharts are evaluating warehouse performance, measuring efficiency of customer service and organizational performance. This type of Workflow diagrams can be used for identifying any disconnection between business activities and business objectives. They are effectively used by warehouse-related people and organizations, manufacturers, wholesalers, exporters, importers, transporters, and others. Standard Warehousing process flow diagram and standard Workflow diagram are used for process identification for further evaluating effectiveness and profitability of overall business process. Use the ConceptDraw PRO vector graphic software extended with Flowcharts solution to design your own professional-looking Workflow diagrams and Flowcharts of any types, including the Warehouse flowchart, Process flow diagrams which depict in details all steps of Warehouse packages flow. Microsoft Visio, designed for Windows users, can’t be opened directly on Mac. But fortunately, there are several Visio alternatives for Mac which will help Mac users to work Visio files. With ConceptDraw PRO, you may open, edit and save files in Visio format.

Types of Flowchart - Overview

When designing a process or an instruction in clear and understandable way, you should consider creating a flowchart. You can avoid spending a lot of time understanding complex concepts as they get clear with different diagrams. The flowcharts are very popular diagram type, they are useful at different fields from the description business processes to the presentation of cooking recipes. Basic Flowchart, Business Process Modeling Diagram, Process Flowchart, Cross Functional Flowchart, Procedure Flowchart, Data Flow Diagram, IDEF Flowchart, SDL Diagram, Workflow Diagram, Document Flowchart, Program Flowchart, Value Stream Map, System Flowchart, Highlight Flowchart, Sales Flowchart are the main types flowchart. The ConceptDraw PRO is one of the professional applications which has great advantages and using which you can create different types of Flowcharts easy and fast. Try to draw an illustrative and comprehensible diagram in ConceptDraw PRO describing the processes instead of writing complex long text and make sure how it is convenient. Visio is expensive, and if you use it in a team environment, these costs are compounded. ConceptDraw PRO is an affordable alternative to Visio and luckily, it comes with a team plan. ConceptDraw PRO can import and export Visio files, so Mac users can collaborate with PC users stuck on Microsoft's software.

Horizontal Flowchart

This sample was created in ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software using the Flowcharts solution from the Diagrams area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. A Flowchart is a graphically representation of the process, algorithm or the step-by-step solution of the problem. The Flowcharts have one or more starting and ending points. The geometric figures on the Flowcharts represent the steps of the process and are connected with arrows that show the sequence of the actions.