Data Flow Diagram

Data flow diagram is graphical representation of

flow of data in an information system. It is
capable of depicting incoming data flow, outgoing
data flow and stored data. The DFD does not
mention anything about how data flows through
the system.
Types of DFD

• Logical DFD - This type of DFD concentrates on the system process,

and flow of data in the system.For example in a Banking software
system, how data is moved between different entities.
• Physical DFD - This type of DFD shows how the data flow is actually
implemented in the system. It is more specific and close to the
implementation.
DFD Components
• DFD can represent Source, destination, storage and flow of data using
the following set of components -
• Entities - Entities are source and destination of information data.
Entities are represented by a rectangles with their respective names.
• Process - Activities and action taken on the data are represented by
Circle or Round-edged rectangles.
• Data Storage - There are two variants of data storage - it can either be
represented as a rectangle with absence of both smaller sides or as an
open-sided rectangle with only one side missing.
• Data Flow - Movement of data is shown by pointed arrows. Data
movement is shown from the base of arrow as its source towards
head of the arrow as destination.
Levels of DFD
• Level 0 - Highest abstraction level DFD is known as Level 0 DFD, which
depicts the entire information system as one diagram concealing all
the underlying details. Level 0 DFDs are also known as context level
DFDs.
• Level 1 - The Level 0 DFD is broken down into more specific, Level 1
DFD. Level 1 DFD depicts basic modules in the system and flow of
data among various modules. Level 1 DFD also mentions basic
processes and sources of information.
• Level 2 - At this level, DFD shows how data flows inside the modules
mentioned in Level 1.
• Higher level DFDs can be transformed into more specific lower level
DFDs with deeper level of understanding unless the desired level of
specification is achieved.
 Creating Data Flow Diagrams
Steps:

1. Create a list of activities

2. Construct Context Level DFD
(identifies external entities and processes)
3. Construct Level 0 DFD
(identifies manageable sub process )
4. Construct Level 1- n DFD
(identifies actual data flows and data stores )
5. Check against rules of DFD
Creating Data Flow Diagrams
Lemonade Stand Example
 Creating Data Flow Diagrams
Example Steps:
The operations of a simple 1. Create a list of activities
lemonade stand will be used
2. Construct Context Level DFD
to demonstrate the creation (identifies sources and sink)
of dataflow diagrams.
3. Construct Level 0 DFD
(identifies manageable sub processes )
4. Construct Level 1- n DFD
(identifies actual data flows and data stores )
 Creating Data Flow Diagrams
Example 1. Create a list of activities

Think through the activities

that take place at a
lemonade stand.
Customer Order
Serve Product
Collect Payment
Produce Product
Store Product
 Creating Data Flow Diagrams
Example 1. Create a list of activities

Also think of the additional

activities needed to support
the basic activities.
Customer Order
Serve Product
Collect Payment
Produce Product
Store Product
Order Raw Materials
Pay for Raw Materials
Pay for Labor
 Creating Data Flow Diagrams
Example 1. Create a list of activities

Group these activities in

some logical fashion,
possibly functional areas.
Customer Order
Serve Product
Collect Payment

Produce Product
Store Product

Order Raw Materials

Pay for Raw Materials

Pay for Labor

 Creating Data Flow Diagrams
Example 2. Construct Context Level DFD
(identifies sources and sink)
Create a context level
diagram identifying the Context Level DFD
sources and sinks (users).
Sales Forecast
Order 0.0
CUSTOMER Lemonade Production Schedule EMPLOYEE
Customer Order Product Served System Pay
Serve Product Payment Time Worked
Collect Payment Received Goods
Payment
Purchase Order
Produce Product
Store Product VENDOR

Order Raw Materials

Pay for Raw Materials

Pay for Labor

 Creating Data Flow Diagrams
Example 3. Construct Level 0 DFD
Create a level 0 diagram (identifies manageable sub processes )
identifying the logical Level 0 DFD
subsystems that may exist.
1.0
Sale
Customer Order Sales Forecast
Customer Order
Product Ordered
Serve Product
Payment
Collect Payment 2.0 Production
CUSTOMER EMPLOYEE
Production Schedule
Product Served
Produce Product
Inventory
Store Product Received Goods
3.0
VENDOR Procure- Order
Purchase Order
Order Raw Materials ment Decisions
Pay for Raw Materials Payment
Pay Time Worked

Pay for Labor 4.0

Payroll
 Creating Data Flow Diagrams
Example 4. Construct Level 1- n DFD
Create a level 1 (identifies actual data flows and data stores )
decomposing the processes Level 1 DFD
in level 0 and identifying
CUSTOMER
data stores.
Customer Order
Request for Forecast
Customer Order ORDER

Serve Product 1.1

Record
Collect Payment Order
1.3
Produce
Severed Order Sales
Produce Product Payment Forecast
Sales Forecast
Store Product
1.2
Receive PAYMENT
Payment
Order Raw Materials
Pay for Raw Materials

Pay for Labor

 Creating Data Flow Diagrams
Example 4. Construct Level 1 (continued)
Create a level 1
decomposing the processes Level 1 DFD
in level 0 and identifying
Product Order
data stores.
ORDER
Customer Order 2.1
Serve Quantity Severed
Serve Product Product
Collect Payment RAW
Production
MATERIALS
Schedule
Produce Product 2.2
Store Product Produce Quantity Used
Product

INVENTORTY
Order Raw Materials Production Data
Pay for Raw Materials
2.3 Quantity Produced &
Store Location Stored
Pay for Labor Product
 Creating Data Flow Diagrams
Example 4. Construct Level 1 (continued)
Create a level 1
decomposing the processes Level 1 DFD
in level 0 and identifying Order Decision
PURCHASE
data stores. 3.1 ORDER
Produce
Purchase
Customer Order Order Quantity On-Hand
Serve Product Quantity
RAW
MATERIALS
Collect Payment Received Received
Goods
3.2
Produce Product Receive
Items
Store Product RECEIVED
ITEMS
Payment Approval
Order Raw Materials
VENDOR
Pay for Raw Materials 3.3
Pay
Vendor
Pay for Labor
Payment
 Creating Data Flow Diagrams
Example 4. Construct Level 1 (continued)
Create a level 1
decomposing the processes Level 1 DFD
in level 0 and identifying Time Worked

data stores. 4.1 TIME CARDS

Record
Time
Customer Order Worked Employee ID
Serve Product EMPLOYEE
Collect Payment
Payroll Request
4.2
Unpaid time cards
Produce Product Calculate
Payroll
Store Product PAYROLL

Payment Approval
Order Raw Materials
4.3
Pay for Raw Materials Pay
Employe
e PAYMENTS
Pay for Labor
Payment
 Process Decomposition
1.1 1.2
1.0
Record Receive
Sale
Order Payment

2.1 2.2 2.3

2.0
Serve Produce Store
Production
Product Product Product

0.0
Lemonade
System
3.1
3.0 3.2 3.3
Produce
Procure- Receive Pay
Purchase
ment Items Vendor
Order

4.1 4.3
4.2
4.0 Record Pay
Calculate
Payroll Time Employe
Payroll
Worked e

Context Level Level 0 Level 1