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 DIAGRAM 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.

Taxi Service Data Flow Diagram DFD Example

This sample shows the Data Flow Diagram of the Taxi Service and interactions between the Clients, Operators and Divers, as well as Orders and Reports databases.

Context Diagram Template

This template shows the Context Diagram. It was created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software using the Block Diagrams Solution from the “Diagrams” area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. The context diagram graphically identifies the system. external factors, and relations between them. It’s a high level view of the system. The context diagrams are widely used in software engineering and systems engineering for designing the systems that process the information.

Structured Systems Analysis and Design Method (SSADM) with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM

Structured Systems Analysis and Design Method (abbr. SSADM) is a method developed in Great Britain and accepted in 1993 as a national standard for information systems development and analysis. SSADM is based on Data Flow Diagrams and is characterized with presence of clear sequence of steps at projecting, analysis, and documenting of information system. It involves 6 main stages: analysis of existing system or estimation of practicability, requirements definition, determination of technical requirements and equipment cost, development of logical data model, projecting of logical requirements and specification them, physical projecting. Each of them is also divided into several steps defining the tasks that should be fulfilled at a given stage. The most important SSADM elements are flows modeling with help of DFD, data logic modeling with help of LDS (Logical Data Structure) and description of entities behavior. Applying of SSADM is easy with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software and Data Flow Diagram solution.

Data Flow Diagram Examples

Data flow diagrams (DFDs) are effective to reveal relationships among the various components in a program or system. This type of diagrams is an important and useful technique for modeling an information system, its process aspects, for showing a system as a single high-level process. DFD lets illustrate the flow of data, how the input data are transformed to output results across the sequence of functional transformations. DFD consists of four major components: entities, processes, data stores, data flows. When you need to draw a Data Flow Diagram the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software extended with Data Flow Diagrams solution will be helpful for you. Providing numerous collection of Data Flow Diagram examples, samples, templates and ready-to-use vector DFD symbols, Data Flow Diagrams solution ensures you with all needed tools for easy designing DFDs according to Gane-Sarson or Yourdon-Coad notation on your choice. Any from offered predesigned DFD examples can become a perfect base for your own diagram.

Data Flow Diagrams

The information system manages the flow of data introduced into the system. To graphically represent and document the flow of data through some information system is used a Data Flow Diagram (DFD). DFD is a way to visualize the flow of data or data processing, to clearly demonstrate what type of data or information is transferred, where they come from and where are sent. It lets to create an overview of the system, to depict the major steps, and effectively model the processes. DFDs are helpful for analyzing and modifying the business systems. Traditionally are used two notations for DFDs creation - Yourdon-Coad and Gane-Sarson. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software offers a special Data Flow Diagrams solution from Software Development area, which enables to quickly and simply create professional Data Flow Diagrams including the data storage, data flows, external entities, functional transforms, control transforms and signals. Use the offered templates, samples and extensive range of libraries to design your own Data Flow Diagrams in minutes.

Example of DFD for Online Store (Data Flow Diagram)

Data Flow Diagram (DFD) is a methodology of graphical structural analysis and information systems design, which describes the sources external in respect to the system, recipients of data, logical functions, data flows and data stores that are accessed. DFDs allow to identify relationships between various system's components and are effectively used in business analysis and information systems analysis. They are useful for system’s high-level details modeling, to show how the input data are transformed to output results via the sequence of functional transformations. For description of DFD diagrams are uses two notations — Yourdon and Gane-Sarson, which differ in syntax. Online Store DFD example illustrates the Data Flow Diagram for online store, the interactions between Customers, Visitors, Sellers, depicts User databases and the flows of Website Information. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM enhanced with Data Flow Diagrams solution lets you to draw clear and simple example of DFD for Online Store using special libraries of predesigned DFD symbols.

SSADM Diagram

The vector stencils library SSADM from the solution Systems engineering contains specific symbols of SSADM diagrams for ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software. The Systems engineering solution is contained in Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. The example below illustrates the waterfall model used in SSADM. This model involves 5 stages of developing a product such as requirements specification and its' analysis, design, coding and testing.

Data Flow Diagram Software

Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs) are successfully used when studying the business processes or systems that involve the transfer of data. They are a visual way to represent the data processing, to model and visualize the flow of data through a computer system and functional requirements for a designed system. They are the good business modeling tool to describe the business events and interactions, the physical systems involving the storage and transfer of data. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM supplied with Data Flow Diagrams solution from Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park is a modern and powerful data flow diagram software. This solution offers large set of predesigned DFD vector objects, grouped to three libraries: Data Flow Diagrams, Gane-Sarson Notation, and Yourdon and Coad Notation. All they and also collection of DFD samples and built-in templates make a good base for ConceptDraw DIAGRAM users, providing them all conditions for easy creation the Data Flow Diagrams and Data Flow Models of any complexity.