Creating data flow diagram

Data flow diagram is a well known approach to visualize the data processing in business analysis field. A data flow diagram is strong in illustrating the relationship of processes, data stores and external entities in business information system.

A sample data flow diagram

Creating data flow diagram

To create a data flow diagram right click on Data Flow Diagram in Diagram Navigator and select New Data Flow Diagram from the popup menu.

Create a data flow diagram through Diagram Navigator

Notations

Name Representation Description Process A process takes data as input, execute some steps and produce data as output. External Entity Objects outside the system being modeled, and interact with processes in system. Data Store Files or storage of data that store data input and output from process. Data Flow The flow of data from process to process. Bidirectional Data Flow The flow of data that flow both from and to process.

A list of supported notations in data flow diagram

Decomposing a process

You can create multiple data flow diagrams for different levels of detail. A new level can be decompose from a process in diagram. To decompose a process, right click on the process and select Decompose from the popup menu.

Decompose process

You will be asked whether to add related data stores and external entities to the new data flow diagram. If you choose Yes, those connected data stores and external entities will be copied to the new diagram.

Choose whether to add related model elements to diagram