BU486 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Data Flow Diagram, Business Process, Flowchart
Chapter 3 – Systems Documentation Techniques
Data flow diagram (DFD) – graphical description of the flow of data within an organization
• Processes
• Sources and destinations of the data
• Data stores
Data source – entity that produces or sends the data that is entered into a system
Data destination – entity that receives data produced by a system
Data flow – movement of data among processes, stores, sources, and destinations
Why Document Systems?
• Accountants must be able to read documentation and understand how a system works, e.g. auditors
need this
• Sarbanes Oxley act requires management to assess internal controls and auditors to evaluate the
assessment
• Used for systems development and changes
Flowcharts – describe an information system showing:
• Inputs and outputs
• Information activities
• Data storage
• Data flows
• Decision steps
Types of flow charts
1. Document flowcharts – shows the flow of documents and data for a process, useful for auditors
2. System flowcharts – depicts the data processing cycle for a process
3. Program flowcharts – illustrates the sequence of logic in the system process
Guidelines for Drawing Flowcharts
• Understand the system you are trying to represent
• Identify business processes, documents, data flows, and data processing procedures
• Organize the flowchart so as it reads from top to bottom and left to right
• Clearly label all symbols
• Use page connectors
• Edit, review, refine to make it easy to read and understand
Business process diagrams (BPD) – represents the activities in a business process, users understands the
process from a standard notation, shows the organizational unit performing the activity
Guidelines for Drawing Data Flow Diagrams
• Identify and understand the business process
• Decide the level of detail (summary or detailed DFD)
• Organize diagram using as many rows needed to explain the process
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Document Summary
Data flow diagram (dfd) graphical description of the flow of data within an organization: processes, sources and destinations of the data, data stores. Data source entity that produces or sends the data that is entered into a system. Data destination entity that receives data produced by a system. Data flow movement of data among processes, stores, sources, and destinations. Why document systems: accountants must be able to read documentation and understand how a system works, e. g. auditors need this, sarbanes oxley act requires management to assess internal controls and auditors to evaluate the assessment. Information activities: used for systems development and changes. Flowcharts describe an information system showing: data storage, data flows, decision steps. Business process diagrams (bpd) represents the activities in a business process, users understands the process from a standard notation, shows the organizational unit performing the activity.
