BIT 1160

SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
AND DESIGN
MR LISTONE KAPUTULA
Systems Analysis and Design
Introduction
Project Initiation
Requirements Gathering
Process Modelling
Data Modelling
System Design
System Implementation
Project Management in Systems Development
Agile and Iterative Development
Emerging Trends in Systems Analysis and Design
 Process Modelling
Overview
A model is a visual or graphical representation of
reality.
Logical model – a nontechnical pictorial
representation that depicts what a system is or
does.
Synonyms are essential model, conceptual model,
and business model.
Physical model – a technical pictorial
representation that depicts what a system is or
does and how the system is implemented.
Also known as implementation model and technical
model.
 Process Modelling

Overview
Process modeling is a technique used in SAD to
visually represent the flow of activities, data,
and interactions within a system or process.
This involves creating graphical
representations or diagrams that illustrate how
various components of the system interact and
work together.
For this study lecture we will focus on these two:
Flowcharts,
Data flow diagrams (DFDs),
 Process Modelling

Flowcharts
Flowcharts are visual representations of
processes or workflows.
They are commonly used in various fields such as
software development, business management,
and engineering.
They use standardized symbols and shapes to
depict the sequence of steps, decisions, and actions
involved in a process.
 Process Modelling

Flowcharts: Basic Symbols

Start/End:
Represent the beginning and end points of the
process.
Usually depicted as ovals.
Process:
Represent an action or operation performed
within the process.
Usually depicted as rectangles.
 Process Modelling

Flowcharts: Basic Symbols

Decision:
Represent a branching point in the process
where a decision is made.
Usually depicted as diamonds.
Input/Output:
Represent input or output of data in the process.
Usually depicted as parallelograms.
Arrows:
Show the flow of control or data between
different steps or elements of the flowchart.
 Process Modelling

Flowcharts: Basic Symbols

Decision:
 Process Modelling

Sample of Flowcharts
Decision:
 Process Modelling

Data flow diagram (DFD)

A Data Flow Diagram (DFD) is a graphical
representation of the flow of data within a system.
It's a tool used in SAD to illustrate how data moves
through various processes or functions within a
system.
Key components and symbols used in a DFD:
External Entities
Processes
Data Flows
Data Stores
 Process Modelling

DFD symbols
External
 Process Modelling

Data flow diagram (DFD)

External Entities
Also known as External agents
Are sources or destinations of data outside the
system being modeled.
E.g. users, other systems, or external data
sources.
External agents define the “boundary” or scope of a
system being modeled.
As scope changes, external agents can become
processes, and vice versa
 Process Modelling
Data flow diagram (DFD)
Processes
Activities or functions that transform data inputs
into data outputs within the system.
Each process performs a specific function or
operation on the data.
Depicted as circles or ovals in the DFD.
Modeling processes helps us to understand the
interactions with the system's environment, other
systems, and other processes.
Named with a strong action verb followed by object
clause describing what the work is performed on/for
 Process Modelling
Data flow diagram (DFD)
Processes
The System is Itself a Process
 Process Modelling
Data flow diagram (DFD)
Data Flows
Data flows represent the movement of data
between the external entities, processes, and
data stores in the system.
They show how data enters, leaves, or is
processed within the system.
Symbol: Arrow indicating the direction of data
flow between the components.
The arrow is labeled to indicate the data being
transferred.
 Process Modelling
Data flow diagram (DFD)
Data Stores
Data stores represent where data is stored within
the system.
They can be databases, files, or any other
repository of data.
Symbol: Two parallel lines (or an open-ended
rectangle) with the label indicating the name of
the data store.
 Sample of Data flow diagram (DFD)

Data flow diagram (DFD)

A
 Process Modelling

Data flow diagram (DFD)

DFDs can be categorized into different levels to
provide varying degrees of detail about the system's
data flow.
Level 0 (Context Diagram): The highest level of
abstraction, providing an overview of the entire
system.
Level 1: Breaks down the system into major
subprocesses or modules.
Level 2: Further decomposes the subprocesses
into more detailed processes.
 Process Modelling
Data flow diagram (DFD)
Process Decomposition
The act of breaking
a system into sub-
components.
Each level of
abstraction reveals
more or less detail.
 Process Modelling
Data flow diagram (DFD)
Decomposition Diagram
A decomposition diagram, also known as a
hierarchy chart.
Is a visual representation used in system
analysis and design to illustrate the
hierarchical structure of a system or process.
It depicts how a complex system is broken
down into smaller, more manageable
components or subsystems.
Decomposition is a top-down problem-solving
approach.
 Process Modelling
Data flow diagram (DFD)
Hierarchical Structure
Decomposition diagrams
show the hierarchical
relationships between
different components of
the system.
The top-level component
represents the entire
system, while
subsequent levels
represent more detailed
breakdowns.
 Process Modelling
Data flow diagram (DFD)
Hierarchical Structure
A system break down into functions, further
decomposing those functions into assemblies, and
then breaking down assemblies into tasks.
Assemblies, also known as modules or subsystems.
Tasks represent the smallest units of work or
actions performed within the system.
 Decomposition diagrams can be use as a visual
aid of the system's structure.
Making it easier for stakeholders to understand and
analyze the relationships between components.
 Process Modelling

Data flow diagram (DFD)

Data Flows
Movement of data between external entities,
processes, and data stores within the system.
Show the path that data takes as it moves
through the system.
Composite Data Flow
A data flow that consists of multiple individual
data flows.
They can be used to represent complex
interactions or exchanges of data between
different components within a system.
 Process Modelling

Data flow diagram (DFD)

Elementary Data Flow
A single piece of data that moves between
processes in a system.
It is the most basic unit of data flow in a DFD.
Represent the input or output of a single data
item, such as a customer's name, an order
number, or a product description.
 Process Modelling

Data flow diagram (DFD)

Data Flow
A
 Process Modelling

Data flow diagram

(DFD)
Data Flow to and
from Data Stores
Some DFD notations
actually use the
CRUD letters only to
name flows to and
from data stores.
CRUD: Create,
Read, Update (or
change), and Delete.
 Process Modelling

Data flow diagram (DFD)

Rules for Data Flows
Each data flow in a system should be given a
clear and descriptive name that reflects the type
of data being transferred.
Data flow names should focus on describing the
nature or content of the data being transferred.
Data flows should originate from or terminate at
a process component in the system model.
Data flows should not cross each other in the
diagram to prevent confusion.
 Process Modelling

Data flow diagram (DFD)

Data Structure
A data structure is the organization or
arrangement of data attributes within a system.
It defines the format, layout, and relationships
between data attributes that together represent
an instance of a data flow or a data entity.
Data Structure Attribute
The smallest unit of data that has meaning to
users and the business.
E.g. "Customer Name," "Order Number,"
"Product Price," etc.
 Process Modelling

Data flow diagram (DFD)

Data Structure
ORDER=
ORDER NUMBER + ORDER DATE + [ PERSONAL CUSTOMER
NUMBER, CORPORATE ACCOUNT NUMBER]+SHIPPING
ADDRESS=ADDRESS+ (BILLING ADDRESS=ADDRESS)+
1{PRODUCT NUMBER+ PRODUCT DESCRIPTION +
QUANTITY ORDERED+ PRODUCT PRICE + PRODUCT PRICE
SOURCE+ EXTENDED PRICE } + PREPAID AMOUNT + (CREDIT
CARD NUMBER+EXPIRATION DATE) (QUOTE NUMBER)
ADDRESS=
(POST OFFICE BOX NUMBER)+ STREET ADDRESS+ CITY+[STATE,
MUNICIPALITY]+
(COUNTRY)+ POSTAL CODE
 Process Modelling

Data flow diagram (DFD)

Data Types and Domains
Data attributes should be defined by data types
and domains.
Data type: A class of data that be stored in an
attribute.
Character, integers, real numbers, dates,
pictures, etc.
Domains: A set of permissible values that a data
element can hold.
"Gender" attribute may have values such as
"Male“ or "Female"
 Process Modelling

Diverging and Converging

Diverging Data Flows: a data flow that splits into
multiple data flows.
Indicates data that starts out naturally as one
flow, but is routed to different destinations.
Also useful to indicate multiple copies of the
same output going to different destinations.
Converging Data Flows: the merger of multiple data
flows into a single packet.
Indicates data from multiple sources that can
(must) come together as a single packet for
subsequent processing.
 Process Modelling

Diverging and Converging

Diverging
 Process Modelling

When to Draw Process Models

Strategic systems planning
Enterprise process models illustrate important business
functions.
Business process redesign
“As is” process models facilitate critical analysis.
“To be” process models facilitate improvement.
Systems analysis (primary focus of this course)
Model existing system including its limitations
Model target system’s logical requirements
Model candidate technical solutions
Model the target technical solution
Systems Analysis and Design
Introduction
Project Initiation
Requirements Gathering
Process Modeling
Data Modeling
System Design
System Implementation
Project Management
Agile and Iterative Development
Emerging Trends in SAD