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"Data flow diagrams are one of the three essential perspectives of the structured-systems analysis and design method SSADM. The sponsor of a project and the end users will need to be briefed and consulted throughout all stages of a system's evolution. With a data flow diagram, users are able to visualize how the system will operate, what the system will accomplish, and how the system will be implemented. The old system's dataflow diagrams can be drawn up and compared with the new system's data flow diagrams to draw comparisons to implement a more efficient system. Data flow diagrams can be used to provide the end user with a physical idea of where the data they input ultimately has an effect upon the structure of the whole system from order to dispatch to report. How any system is developed can be determined through a data flow diagram model.
In the course of developing a set of levelled data flow diagrams the analyst/ designers is forced to address how the system may be decomposed into component sub-systems, and to identify the transaction data in the data model.
Data flow diagrams can be used in both Analysis and Design phase of the SDLC.
There are different notations to draw data flow diagrams (Yourdon & Coad and Gane & Sarson), defining different visual representations for processes, data stores, data flow, and external entities." [Data flow diagram. Wikipedia]
The DFD (Yourdon and Coad notation) example "Process of account receivable" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Data Flow Diagrams solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
Data Flow Diagram
Data Flow Diagram, process, external interactor, data store,
Used Solutions

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.
The Data flow diagram (DFD) example "Payment for goods using UPS code scanner" shows data flow in process of payment for goods in the shop using the MaxiCode scanner.
"MaxiCode is a public domain, machine-readable symbol system originally created and used by United Parcel Service. Suitable for tracking and managing the shipment of packages, it resembles a barcode, but uses dots arranged in a hexagonal grid instead of bars. MaxiCode has been standardised under ISO/ IEC 16023.
A MaxiCode symbol (internally called "Bird's Eye", "Target", "dense code", or "UPS code") appears as a 1 inch square, with a bullseye in the middle, surrounded by a pattern of hexagonal dots. It can store about 93 characters of information, and up to 8 MaxiCode symbols can be chained together to convey more data. The centered symmetrical bullseye is useful in automatic symbol location regardless of orientation, and it allows MaxiCode symbols to be scanned even on a package traveling rapidly." [MaxiCode. Wikipedia]
This example of data flow diagram (Gane & Sarson notation) was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Data Flow Diagrams solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
DFD
DFD, process, external entity, data store,
Used Solutions

Design Data Flow. DFD Library

Data flow diagram or DFD is a type of diagrams used for graphical representation the "flow" of data through an information system, for effective modeling its process aspects and for visualization the data processing. They are one of the best tools for clearly making an overview of the system that will be developed, for depiction in details what kinds of information will be inputted to the system and outputted from it, where they will be stored, and other details. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software with Data Flow Diagrams solution from Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park is powerful in a field of designing the DFDs. Three libraries containing 49 vector DFD shapes and symbols are offered by Data Flow Diagrams (DFD) solution. Use them to design data flow diagrams, information flow diagrams, data flowcharts, data process diagrams, structured analysis diagrams, to create the data-oriented models or process-oriented models, and so on. Pay also attention for the included collection of DFD samples, examples and built-in templates at ConceptDraw STORE.

DFD Library — Design elements

Data Flow Diagrams (DFD) solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park provides plenty of predesigned templates, samples and DFD vector design elements proposed by three DFD libraries. These DFD library objects are designed to help you effectively model the data flows and functional requirements for the business processes or systems, to design the Process-oriented models or Data-oriented models, Data flowcharts and Data process diagrams, Structured analysis diagrams and Information flow diagrams. There are two different notations used to draw the Data Flow Diagrams (Yourdon & Coad and Gane & Sarson). These notations define the different visual representations for the processes, data stores, data flows, and external entities. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software provides you with possibility of designing professional-looking Data Flow Diagrams, DFD Models, Data Flow Process Diagrams using any of these notations. Simply drag the predesigned DFD flowchart symbols from the appropriate library and connect by arrows depicting the data flow from one step to another.

Example of DFD for Online Store (Data Flow Diagram)

Example of DFD for Online Store
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.
Steps to Creating a Sales Process Flow Chart
Steps to Creating a Sales Process Flow Chart
HelpDesk

How to Create a Data Flow Diagram

How to Create a Data Flow Diagram
Data flow diagramming is a highly effective technique for showing the flow of information through a system. Data flow diagrams reveal relationships among and between the various components in a program or system. DFD is an important technique for modeling a system’s high-level detail by showing how input data is transformed to output results through a sequence of functional transformations. The set of standard symbols is used to depict how these components interact in a system. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM allows you to draw a simple and clear Data Flow Diagram using special libraries.
The vector stencils library "Data flow diagram (DFD)" contains 15 DFD elements.
Use it for process-oriented models, data-oriented models, data flowcharts, data process diagrams, structured analysis diagrams, and information flow diagrams in the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Data Flow Diagrams solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
State (Multi State)
State (Multi State), state, multi state,
State (Multi State)
State (Multi State), start state, multi state,
State (Multi State)
State (Multi State), stop state, multi state,
Stop state 2
Stop state 2, stop state,
External Interactor
External Interactor, external interactor,
Entity Relationship
Entity Relationship, entity relationship,
Oval process
Oval process, process,
Object
Object, object,
Entity
Entity, entity,
Entity (Rounded Corners)
Entity (Rounded Corners), entity,
Entity with ID and Location Mention(Rounded Corners)
Entity with ID and Location Mention(Rounded Corners), entity,
Data store 1
Data store 1, data store,
Data store 2
Data store 2, data store,
Data store 3
Data store 3, data store,
Data store (with ID)
Data store (with ID), data store,
Used Solutions
"A data flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical representation of the "flow" of data through an information system. It differs from the flowchart as it shows the data flow instead of the control flow of the program. A data flow diagram can also be used for the visualization of data processing (structured design). Data flow diagrams were invented by Larry Constantine, the original developer of structured design, based on Martin and Estrin's "data flow graph" model of computation.
It is common practice to draw a context-level Data flow diagram first which shows the interaction between the system and outside entities. The DFD is designed to show how a system is divided into smaller portions and to highlight the flow of data between those parts. This context-level Data flow diagram is then "exploded" to show more detail of the system being modeled" [Data model. Wikipedia]
The DFD (Yourdon and Coad notation) example "Model of small traditional production enterprise" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Data Flow Diagrams solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
Data Flow Diagram Model
Data Flow Diagram Model, process, external interactor, data store,
Used Solutions
This example was redesigned from the Wikipedia file: LastResortHotel BookRoom Process.png. [en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/ File:LastResortHotel_ BookRoom_ Process.png]
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. [creativecommons.org/ licenses/ by-sa/ 3.0/ ]
"Event partitioning is an easy-to-apply systems analysis technique that helps the analyst organize requirements for large systems into a collection of smaller, simpler, minimally-connected, easier-to-understand ‘mini systems’ / use cases. ...
Defining requirements.
Single process in a fictitious hotel using data flow diagram notation.
Single use case in a fictitious hotel using use case diagram notation.
This approach helps the analyst to decompose the system into ‘mentally bite-sized’ mini-systems using events that require a planned response. The level of detail of each response is at the level of ‘primary use cases’. Each planned response may be modelled using DFD notation or as a single use case using use case diagram notation.
The basic flow within a process or use case can usually be described in a relatively small number of steps, often fewer than twenty or thirty, possibly using something like ‘structured English’. Ideally, all of the steps would be visible all at once (often a page or less). The intention is to reduce one of the risks associated with short-term memory, namely, forgetting what is not immediately visible (‘out of sight, out of mind’). ...
Single process in a fictitious hotel using data flow diagram notation." [Event partitioning. Wikipedia]
The DFD example "Last resort hotel book room process" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Data Flow Diagrams solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
DFD
DFD, process, external interactor, data store,
Used Solutions
The vector stencils library "DFD, Gane-Sarson notation" contains 12 DFD elements.
Use it for drawing data flow diagrams (DFD) using Gane-Sarson notation in the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Data Flow Diagrams solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
External Entity
External Entity, external entity,
Process
Process, process,
Process w / Location
Process w / Location, process,
Data Store
Data Store, data store,
Jump
Jump,
Angled Connector
Angled Connector,
Angled Connector 2
Angled Connector 2,
Top to Bottom Variable
Top to Bottom Variable,
Bottom to Side
Bottom to Side,
Side to Side
Side to Side,
Side to Same Side
Side to Same Side,
Top to Top Side
Top to Top Side,
Used Solutions
The vector stencils library "Data flow diagram (DFD)" contains 15 DFD elements.
Use it for process-oriented models, data-oriented models, data flowcharts, data process diagrams, structured analysis diagrams, and information flow diagrams in the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Data Flow Diagrams solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
State (Multi State)
State (Multi State), state, multi state,
State (Multi State)
State (Multi State), start state, multi state,
State (Multi State)
State (Multi State), stop state, multi state,
Stop state 2
Stop state 2, stop state,
External Interactor
External Interactor, external interactor,
Entity Relationship
Entity Relationship, entity relationship,
Oval process
Oval process, process,
Object
Object, object,
Entity
Entity, entity,
Entity (Rounded Corners)
Entity (Rounded Corners), entity,
Entity with ID and Location Mention(Rounded Corners)
Entity with ID and Location Mention(Rounded Corners), entity,
Data store 1
Data store 1, data store,
Data store 2
Data store 2, data store,
Data store 3
Data store 3, data store,
Data store (with ID)
Data store (with ID), data store,
Used Solutions
Use this template to create your data flow diagrams (DFD) by Gane-Sarson (DFD) notation using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Data Flow Diagrams solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
DFD template
DFD template, process, external entity, data store,
Used Solutions
The vector stencils library "Data flow diagram (DFD)" contains 15 DFD elements.
Use it for process-oriented models, data-oriented models, data flowcharts, data process diagrams, structured analysis diagrams, and information flow diagrams in the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Data Flow Diagrams solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
State (Multi State)
State (Multi State), state, multi state,
State (Multi State)
State (Multi State), start state, multi state,
State (Multi State)
State (Multi State), stop state, multi state,
Stop state 2
Stop state 2, stop state,
External Interactor
External Interactor, external interactor,
Entity Relationship
Entity Relationship, entity relationship,
Oval process
Oval process, process,
Object
Object, object,
Entity
Entity, entity,
Entity (Rounded Corners)
Entity (Rounded Corners), entity,
Entity with ID and Location Mention(Rounded Corners)
Entity with ID and Location Mention(Rounded Corners), entity,
Data store 1
Data store 1, data store,
Data store 2
Data store 2, data store,
Data store 3
Data store 3, data store,
Data store (with ID)
Data store (with ID), data store,
Used Solutions

Data Flow Diagram (DFD)

A Data Flow Diagram (DFD) illustrates the flow of data through an information system, visualizes how the information is handled in terms of inputs and outputs, how the data enter to system and leave it. It is effective to use a Data Flow Diagram for creation the system's overview, to show the system's scope and boundaries. There are two different types of notations for DFDs: Yourdon-Coad and Gane-Sarson, which differ in visual representations for processes, data flow, data stores, external entities, etc. Thus, for example the processes are depicted as circles in Yourdon-Coad notation and as rounded squares in Gane-Sarson notation. Gane-Sarson notation is usually used for visualization information systems and Yourdon-Coad - for system analysis and design. The Data Flow Diagrams solution included to Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park offers a lot of DFD templates, samples and examples, libraries of vector stencils for construction without efforts the DFDs according to both Gane-Sarson and Yourdon-Coad notations.