Data Flow Diagrams (DFD)

Data Flow Diagram

Data Flow Diagram (DFD) is part of the Structured Systems Analysis and Design Methodology (SSADM), which is intended for information systems projection and analysis. Data Flow Diagrams allow graphically to represent the data flows in the 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 a 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 the Software Development area is ideal for designing professional-looking DFDs, which can be then easily exported in various formats.

Data Flow Diagram Example

ConceptDraw DIAGRAM extended with Data Flow Diagrams solution is the best diagramming and vector drawing software for quick and easy designing the Data Flow Diagram Example of any complexity.

Data Flow Diagram Model

Data Flow Diagram (DFD) is a technique of graphical structural analysis, describing the sources external to the system, recipients of data, also logical functions, data flows and data stores that are accessed. The DFD's goal is to show how each process converts its inputs into the outputs and to identify relationships between these processes, at this make the system's description clear and understandable at every level of detail. Historically happened that for describing Data Flow Diagrams are used two notations - Yourdon and Gane-Sarson that differ each from other by graphical representation of symbols. The DFD model, like most other structural models is a hierarchical model. Each process can be subjected to decomposition on the structural components, the relationships between which in the same notation can be shown on a separate diagram. Typically, several DFD models are built when modeling the system. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software enhanced with Data Flow Diagrams solution ideally suits for creation DFD models and professional drawing Data Flow Diagrams.

Data flow Model Diagram

This sample was created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software using the Data Flow Diagrams Solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. This sample shows the Data Flow Model Diagram that displays the Order system and the interactions between the Order system and Customers.

What is DFD Diagram?

DFD Diagram Creator

Data Flow Diagram (DFD) is a visual graphical representation of data flow through a process or a system at various levels. It helps to model the flow of information, describe and analyze an existing system, or plan and implement a new system. It is a way to track business efficiency and progress, detect inefficiencies, analyze, optimize, and improve processes, and increase productivity. DFD illustrates the flow of data and information, how the business system operates and how data is stored, processed, and transformed by a system. Explore all the benefits and advantages of using Data Flow Diagrams. Create DFDs quick and easy with DFD Diagram Creator ConceptDraw DIAGRAM.

Tools to Create Data Flow Diagram

As a rule, a Data Flow Diagram (DFD) is organized hierarchically from top to bottom and from left to right, and includes all the vital components of the system. Two types of notations are used in common for Data Flow Diagrams: Yourdon & Coad and Gane & Sarson. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM extended with Data Flow Diagrams (DFD) solution provides powerful drawing tools to create Data Flow Diagram of any complexity. Use the pre-made design components, quick-start templates and samples for quick and easy drawing. Provide the required clarity to the system or process, show the logic and functions, and explain complex concepts and business operations in a visual way using the DFD format.

Why Flowchart Important to Accounting Information System?

The Accounting flowchart shows how information flows from source documents through the accounting records. The are based on the accounting procedures or processes. Flowcharts are used to represent accounting information in a system. There are special symbols which are used to create accounting flowcharts. Try conceptdraw flowcharting set of symbols to draw a professional charts.

Export from ConceptDraw MINDMAP to PDF (Adobe Acrobat®) File

The export options in ConceptDraw MINDMAP allow mind maps to be exported in various graphical formats such as images, webpages, or PDF files. They can also be exported into Microsoft Office applications or into different mindmapping programs.

Data Flow Diagram Symbols. DFD Library

Data Flow Diagrams graphically represent the information transfers and process steps of a system. They visually depict how data are processed by a system in terms of inputs and outputs, how occurs the input in a system, how the data flow through an information system and where they are stored, and how occurs output from the system. DFDs give the overview of the system and models the processes aspects, they are maintained with other methods of structured systems analysis. The main goal of DFDs is achievement of understanding between developers and users. For their construction are used two notations - Gane-Sarson and Yourdon, each of them uses its own set of symbols. Data Flow Diagrams solution from Software Development area extends the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software with templates, samples, and predesigned libraries of data flow diagram symbols for both notations, allowing you easy design the process-oriented and data-oriented models, draw the Data Flow Diagrams, Data Flowcharts, Data Process Diagrams, Information Flow Diagrams, Structured Analysis Diagrams, etc.

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 Draw in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM

ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software enhanced with the Data Flow Diagrams solution makes the Data Flow Diagrams design easier than ever. Being extended with tools and elements from both notations Gane-Sarson and Yourdon-Code, ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software makes the Data Flow Diagram draw process quick and easy.

Data Flow Diagrams

Data Flow Diagram (DFD) is a special chart type which lets graphically illustrate the "flow" of data through an information system. So the Data Flow Diagrams can be successfully used for visualization of data processing or structured design, for creation an overview of the system, for business process modeling, for exploring the high-level design in terms of data flows and documenting the major data flows. Inclusion of powerful Data Flow Diagrams solution to the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park makes the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM a beneficial data flow diagramming software and supplies it with numerous collection of quick-start templates, professionaly designed samples, and extensive range of ready-for-use vector objects consisting the Data Flow Diagrams, Gane-Sarson Notation, and Yourdon and Coad Notation libraries. Use the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM application to design easy and quickly the Data Flow Diagrams including the data storages, data flows, external entities, functional transforms, control transforms and signals.

Process and Flow Diagram

Process flowcharts are easy to create in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software enhanced with Business Process Workflow Diagrams solution. Process and flow diagram can help your business in many ways. It is effective to study the business process, show the activities and decisions that make up processes and operations, identify connections between different steps in a process, strengths and weaknesses, areas for improvement. Increase your business productivity and efficiency, automate and optimize workflow, increase transparency, minimize errors and redundancies, streamline operations, and reduce business costs efficiently.