Lecture 18 of the online course “Data Flow Diagrams – Process Modeling Techniques for Requirements Elicitation and Workflow Analysis”
Category: Process / Workflow Modeling
Articles, How-To Videos, and Course Previews
Workflow is where things get done in any organization. Uncovering workflow problems and inefficiencies is the ultimate goal of workflow analysis using data flow diagrams. The process can be challenging, Problems are often caused by insufficient access to needed information at the appropriate time. Data flow diagrams are the perfect tool for representing the creation, use, and disposition of data in support of workflow. This category page offers articles, videos, KnowledgeKnuggets™, and Lesson Previews that will get you started.
Business Processes, Data Flows, and Value Chains
Nov 16, 2018
Lecture 2 of the online course “Data Flow Diagrams – Process Modeling Techniques for Requirements Elicitation and Workflow Analysis”
How Data Flow Diagrams Combat Scope Creep and Mitigate Project Risks
Nov 15, 2018
How Creating and Using Data Flow Diagrams Can Save Your Agile or Traditional IT Projects
How to Analyze a DFD to Expose Missing Data Elements
Nov 15, 2018
Use the Power of a Data Flow Diagram to Identify Data Discrepancies, Inconsistencies, and Conflicts
How To Write Data and Process Specifications
Nov 15, 2018
Using a Data Flow Diagram to Define Process and Data Specs Provides the Level of Detail that Solution Providers Need
How to Discover Missing Processes and Data
Nov 15, 2018
Balancing an Exploded Process with the Lower Level Dataflow Diagram Reveals Missing Components
Exploding or Leveling Processes on a Dataflow Diagram (DFD)
Nov 15, 2018
How to Develop a Detail or Low Level Data Flow Diagram that Lets You Identify Issues and Discover Requirements for Change
How to Get Started Drawing a Detailed Data Flow Diagram (DFD)
Nov 15, 2018
Finding Lower-Level Processes as a Crucial First Step toward Creating a Detailed Dataflow Diagram
Create a Context-Level Dataflow Diagram (DFD) to Visualize Project Scope
Nov 15, 2018
A “Level 0” Dataflow Diagram (a.k.a. Context Diagram, Business Process Model) Makes the Scope of Your Project Visible
Create a Rigorous Physical Process Model as an Easy Start to a Data Flow Diagram
Nov 15, 2018
Jump-Starting Context Diagrams, Data Flow Diagrams, Workflows, and Process Models by Visualizing Material and Data Movement within an Organization
How to Draw Dataflow Diagrams (DFD) for Business Analysis
Nov 15, 2018
Drawing a Picture of How a Business Process Creates and Consumes Data Identifies Critical Functional and Non-Functional Requirements
Business Process Analysis for Requirements Discovery
Nov 15, 2018
Analyzing Business Process Models to Uncover Workflow Problems and Identify Requirements for IT Solutions
Data Flow Diagrams vs Activity Diagrams: Which to Use When
Sep 15, 2016
The purpose of any model is to focus people’s attention on specific dimensions of the depicted situation that the model makes visible. This visibility is critical because when people can see what they are discussing, it helps keep their discussion on topic. Just...
Problem Analysis Using a DFD: A True Story
Aug 17, 2016
To set the scene, we were hired by the IT manager of a major corporation to conduct a Requirements Gathering Workshop for a project that he felt was impossible. The project sponsor was the Director of Marketing in the company (we’ll call him Mark) and he wanted to...
Walkthrough of Problem Analysis using a DFD
Jul 26, 2016
According to an old adage, “The proof is in the pudding.” Ergo, we will offer you some “Pudding” by walking you through a real life example of Problem Analysis using a DFD. To make it easier to follow, we will use our standard Data Flow Diagram of a typical Order...
Problem Statement DFD Overlay: Discovering the Source of Business Problems
Jul 8, 2016
A process model is a phenomenal tool for analyzing and isolating problems in workflow. Obviously, the ultimate outcome of the analysis will be a set of requirements that any solution has to meet to eliminate the problems and/or some Quick Fixes that will temporarily...
Process Modeling for Requirements: Yeah or Nay?
Jun 8, 2016
A participant in our ILT course, "Business Process Modeling and Analysis – Simply Put!" recently asked, "Is the time it takes to create a detailed process model for my project a worthwhile investment?" Here is our take on it. Generally speaking, a business process is...
How Process Models Clarify Requirements
Sep 10, 2007
Confucius (or another one of the early Chinese geniuses) is credited with saying that a picture is worth a thousand words.