Data Flow Diagrams - Simply Put!: Process Modeling Techniques for Requirements Elicitation and Workflow Analysis (Advanced Business Analysis Topics)

A Data Flow Diagram (DFD) is a phenomenal tool for visualizing and analyzing dependencies and interactions amongst manual and automated business processes.
In today’s wired world, software applications often take center stage in optimizing workflow and increasing productivity. Unfortunately, the process of delivering the right software to the right people at the right time is challenging to say the least.

DFDs are powerful tools for recognizing and eliminating two of the major problems that haunt IT projects, namely Scope Creep and Project Overruns caused by late project change requests. 

Data Flow Diagrams - Simply Put! explains

• WHAT a DFD is,
• WHY you need one, and
• HOW to create it.

You will learn the benefits of process visualization for the business community, for the one wearing the BA hat, for those tasked with developing the solution, and ultimately for the entire organization.

Specifically, Data Flow Diagrams - Simply Put! explains and demonstrates the answers to these questions:

• What is a Data Flow Diagram (DFD) and what does it do for you?
• What is the difference between a Rigorous Physical Process Model and a Context-Level DFD?
• What symbols can I use on each type of diagram?
• What is the business value of doing exploding or levelling a DFD
• What is a simple approach for drilling down into a process?
• How can I show the internal processes and flows that produce the results?
• What does balancing a Data Flow Diagram mean and what is the business value?
• What is the most efficient approach to balancing a DFD?
• What business value do detailed process specifications offer?
• How can I express detailed specifications for processes and data?
• What is “metadata” and why do you need it?
• Why should I draw a Data Flow Diagram?
• What does a fully balanced DFD look like?
• What value does a DFD fragment provide?

About the Authors

Angela and Tom Hathaway have authored and delivered hundreds of training courses and publications to thousands of business analysts around the world. They have facilitated numerous requirements discovery sessions for information technology projects under a variety of acronyms (JAD, ASAP, JADr, JRP, RGW, etc.).

Based on their personal journey and experiences reported by their students, they recognized how much anyone can benefit from a basic understanding of what Data Flow Diagrams are, what they represent, who needs them, and how to get started creating them.

Angela’s and Tom’s mission is to allow anyone, anywhere access to simple, easy-to-learn techniques by sharing their experience and expertise in their training seminars, blog posts, books, video courses, KnowledgeKnuggets™, and public presentations.