Information Management system

Introduction
Meaning
Data
Data – the data that the information system records. Business Procedures – procedures put in place on how

to record, store and analyze data. Hardware – these include servers, workstations, networking equipment,

printers, etc. Software – these are programs used to handle the data.

Information Management System

Management Information Systems (MIS) is the study of people, technology, organizations, and the

relationships among them. MIS professionals help firms realize maximum benefit from investment in

personnel, equipment, and business processes. MIS is a people-oriented field with an emphasis on service

through technology.
Objectives of MIS

The scope of MIS also involves understanding the objectives of MIS. mentioned
below are the various objectives of MIS for your reference.
• Gathering Data– MIS professionals work on gathering data which might be
useful and relevant in the decision making process for various internal and
external sources of the organization.
• Data Processing- The gathered data needs to be processed in a systematic way
so as to be of some help to the management. The data is processed into
information which is used for planning, controlling, organizing and directing
functionalities at different levels of the organization. Data processing means
sorting data, making calculations with data etc.
• Information Storage– It means storing information in a safe manner so as to
make it available for any future use.
Nature of MIS

• MIS is utilised by every level of a management.

• It clarifies and focuses on the strategic goals and objectives for the management.
• MIS provides an effective system to analyse costs and revenues and further reviews
effectively and efficiently to bring a balanced in finances and costs.
• MIS is maintained either through manual systems or automated systems or a
combination of both.
• It also plays a incremental role in identifying, locating, measuring, tackling and limiting
risks.
• It lays down a framework of rules and regulations for the management to bring a clear
and concise communication between employees.
• MIS provides an objective system of collecting, assessing and aggregating information
for a business.
Scope of MIS

Information Systems is growing at a fast pace to become one of the most

promising career fields in today’s world. With everything happening
digitally, the demand for MIS professionals is increasing more than ever.
MIS involves performing a number of task simultaneously such as-
• Processing data
• Initiating transactions
• Responding to inquiries
• Producing reports and its summaries
• Manage the data created within the structure of a particular business
Scope of MIS

• MIS acts in an organization just like a nervous system in a body by

providing with the relevant information for ease in the process of
decision making.
• The purpose of MIS is to work towards satisfying the information
needs of everyone in the business. It means providing the relevant
information to those who need it.
• Thus, MIS has a lot of potential to become one of the most promising
careers for individuals interested in the workings of a business.
Definition
Information Management
Information management is the collection, storage, curation, dissemination,
archiving and destruction of documents, images, drawings and others sources of
information.
Major Types of Information Systems
1. Transaction Processing Systems
Every firm needs to process transactions in order to perform its daily business
operations. A transaction refers to any event or activity that affects the
organization. Depending on the organization’s business, transactions may differ
from one organization to another. In a manufacturing unit, for example,
transactions include order entry, receipt of goods, shipping, etc., while in a bank,
transactions include deposits and withdrawals, cashing of cheques, etc.
Major Types of Information Systems
2. Office Automation Systems
An office automation system (OAS) is a collection of communication
technology, computers, and persons to perform official tasks. It executes
office transactions and supports official activities at every organizational
level. These activities can be divided into clerical and managerial activities.
Word Processing
Word processing is used for the preparation of documents like letters,
reports, memos, or any type of printable material by electronic means. The
text is entered by keyboard and displayed on the computer’s display unit.
This text can be edited, stored, and reproduced with the help of commands
present in the word processor.
Major Types of Information Systems
Email
E-mail or electronic mail facilitates the transfer of messages or
documents with the help of computers and communication lines. This
helps in the speedy delivery of mails and also reduces the time and cost
of sending paper mail.
Voice Mail
Voice mail, an important call service, allows the recording and storing
of telephone messages into the computer’s memory. The intended
person can retrieve these messages at any time.
Major Types of Information Systems
3. Knowledge Work Systems
A knowledge work system (KWS) is a specialized system built to promote the
creation of knowledge and to make sure that knowledge and technical skills
are proper integrated into the business. It helps the knowledge workers in
creating and propagating new information and knowledge by providing them
the graphics, analytical, communications, and document management tools.
Computer-aided design (CAD) systems:
These systems are used for automating the creation and revision of
designs using computers and graphics software. The CAD software has the
capability to provide design specifications for the tooling and manufacturing
process.
Major Types of Information Systems
Virtual Reality System:
These systems have more capabilities than CAD systems for
visualization, rendering, and simulation. They make use of interactive
graphics software to build computer-generated simulations which
almost look real. They can be used in educational, scientific, and
business work.
Financial Workstations
They are used to combine a wide range of data from
internal as well as external sources. This data includes contact
management data, market data, and research reports.
Major Types of Information Systems
4. Management Information Systems
Management information systems are specially developed to support
the planning, controlling, and decision-making functions of middle
managers. A management information system (MIS) extracts transaction
data from underlying TPSs, compiles them, and produces information
products in the form of reports, displays, or responses.
5. Decision Support Systems
A decision support system (DSS) is an interactive computer-based
information system that, like MIS, also serves at the management level of
an organization. However, in contrast to MIS, it processes information to
support the decision-making process of managers.
Major Types of Information Systems
6. Executive Support Systems
An executive support system (ESS) – an extension of MIS – is a
computer-based information system that helps in decision-making at
the top-level of an organization.
Strategic Role of information System

The MIS helps the top level management in goal setting, strategic planning and
evolving the business plans and their implementation. The MIS plays the role of
information generation, communication, problem identification and helps in the
process of decision-making.
 Evolution
The computer crunched numbers summarizing and organizing
transactions and data in the accounting, finance, and human resources
areas. Such systems are generally called transaction processing systems
(TPSs).
Management Information Systems (MISs)
 Intelligent Support System (ISSs)
Automation Systems (OASs)
Knowledge Management Systems
Data Warehousing
 Functional Information System (FIS)

Finance (FIN):
provide internal and external professional access to stock, investment and capital
spending information.
Accounting (ACC):
similar to financial MIS more related to invoicing, payroll, receivables.
Marketing (MKT):
pricing, distribution, promotional, and information by customer and salesperson.
Operations (OPS):
regular reports on production, yield, quality, inventory levels. These systems typically
deal with manufacturing, sourcing, and supply chain management.
Human Resources Management (HR):
employees, benefits, hiring‘s, etc.
 System development methodologies

A system development methodology refers to the framework that is

used to structure, plan, and control the process of developing an
information system. A wide variety of such frameworks have evolved
over the years, each with its own recognized strengths and weaknesses.
Basic Principles:
• Project is divided into sequential phases, with some overlap and
splash back acceptable between phases.
• Emphasis is on planning, time schedules, target dates, budgets and
implementation of an entire system at one time.
 System development methodologies

Strengths:
• Ideal for supporting less experienced project teams and project managers, or
project teams whose composition fluctuates.
• The orderly sequence of development steps and strict controls for ensuring the
adequacy of documentation and design reviews helps ensure the quality,
reliability, and maintainability of the developed software.
Weaknesses:
• Inflexible, slow, costly and cumbersome due to significant structure and tight
controls.
• Project progresses forward, with only slight movement backward.
• Little room for use of iteration, which can reduce manageability if used.
 System development methodologies

Prototyping
Basic Principles
• Not a standalone, complete development methodology, but rather an approach to
handling selected portions of a larger, more traditional development methodology (i.e.,
Incremental, Spiral, or Rapid Application Development (RAD)).
• Attempts to reduce inherent project risk by breaking a project into smaller segments and
providing more ease-of-change during the development process.
Strengths
Helps to easily identify confusing or difficult functions and missing functionality.
May generate specifications for a production application.
Encourages innovation and flexible designs.
Weakness
Requirements may frequently change significantly.
Identification of non-functional elements is difficult to document
System development methodologies

Incremental

• A series of mini-Waterfalls are performed, where all phases of the Waterfall

development model are completed for a small part of the system, before proceeding to
the next increment; OR

• Overall requirements are defined before proceeding to evolutionary, mini-Waterfall

development of individual increments of the system, OR

• The initial software concept, requirements analysis, and design of architecture and
system core are defined using the Waterfall approach, followed by iterative Prototyping,
which culminates in installation of the final prototype (i.e., working system).
 System development methodologies
Strengths:
• Potential exists for exploiting knowledge gained in an early increment as later increments are
developed.
• Moderate control is maintained over the life of the project through the use of written
documentation and the formal review and approval/signoff by the user and information
technology management at designated major milestones.
Weaknesses:
• When utilizing a series of mini-Waterfalls for a small part of the system before moving on to the
next increment, there is usually a lack of overall consideration of the business problem and
technical requirements for the overall system.
System development methodologies
Spiral
Basic Principles:
• Focus is on risk assessment and on minimizing project risk by breaking a project
into smaller segments and providing more ease-of-change during the
development process, as well as providing the opportunity to evaluate risks and
weigh consideration of project continuation throughout the life cycle.
• Each cycle involves a progression through the same sequence of steps, for each
portion of the product and for each of its levels of elaboration, from an overall
concept-of-operation document down to the coding of each individual program.
Strengths
Enhances risk avoidance.
Useful in helping to select the best methodology to follow for development of a
given software iteration, based on project risk.
 System development methodologies
Weaknesses:
• Challenging to determine the exact composition of development methodologies to use for each
iteration around the Spiral.
• Highly customized to each project, and thus is quite complex, limiting reusability.

Rapid Application Development (RAD)

Basic Principles
• Key objective is for fast development and delivery of a high quality system at a
relatively low investment cost.
• Attempts to reduce inherent project risk by breaking a project into smaller
segments and providing more ease-of-change during the development process.
 System development methodologies
Strengths:
• The operational version of an application is available much earlier than with Waterfall,
Incremental, or Spiral frameworks.
• Because RAD produces systems more quickly and to a business focus, this approach
tends to produce systems at a lower cost.
Weaknesses:
• More speed and lower cost may lead to lower overall system quality.
• Danger of misalignment of developed system with the business due to missing
information.
• Project may end up with more requirements than needed (gold-plating).
Systems development methodology
Systems development methodology (SDM) is a standard process
followed in an organization to conduct all the steps necessary to
analyze, design, implement and maintain information systems (IS) [1].
It is highly beneficial for organizations to adopt a systems development
methodology to develop IS.
Stages / Phases of System Development Methodology
Life cycle (SDLC)
Planning
• Identify and define the scope of the poject.
• Feasibility study
• Develop the project plan
• Budget plan
• Determine the Resource.
Note: This phase very important for the overall success of the project,
during this phase that through research is performed to determine
resource, budget, technical aspect etc…
 Stages / Phases of System Development Methodology Life cycle
(SDLC)
Analysis
• Gather business requirements
• The end user requirements are determines and documented.
• Create process diagram
• Considered about customer or end user requirement.

Note: This phase very important for understanding about business

needs process needs and also existing system is evaluated.
 Stages / Phases of System Development Methodology Life cycle
(SDLC)
Design Phase
• Design infrastructure
• Includes the design of application, network, databases, user interfaces, and
system interfaces
• Create operational plan
• Transform the SRS Document into logical structure
Note
In this third phase, the element, component, security levels,
architecture, interface and data of the system are defined and
designed to evaluate low the finished system will work.
 Stages / Phases of System Development Methodology Life cycle
(SDLC)
Development
• Develop the system (Program & Database)
• Develop codes for the designs
• Considered about hardware and interaction.

Note: the Development team is hard at work writing code and

constructing also considered by many as the most strong phase in the
life cycle as all the labor intensive efforts are made here.
 Stages / Phases of System Development Methodology Life cycle
(SDLC)
Testing
• Validate or write testing condition
• Involves the quality assuring (QA)
• Check the functionality and correctness of software.
• System testing process (Rules & conditions)

Note: it is becoming increasingly important as it helps ensure customer

satisfaction by establishing that the system is error free.
 Stages / Phases of System Development Methodology Life cycle
(SDLC)
Implementation
• Establish into a production environment
• Provide training for system user.
• The old system gradually replaced.
• Write detailed user documentation.

Note: The project team creator the actual product. Product

implementation can be an exciting phases for the customer.
Implementation activities
Hardware and software Acquisitions, testing, Training, Documentation.
 Stages / Phases of System Development Methodology Life cycle
(SDLC)
Maintaining phase
• Meet additional requirements
• Add new features and capabilities
• Applying new update(latest technologies & face cyber security
threats.
• Build a help desk to support the system users.

Note: It is an important part of system development that includes the

activities which correct errors in system design and implementation,
updates the documents, and tests the data.
2) Prototyping
Prototyping is the process of building a model of a system. In terms
of an information system, prototypes are employed to help system
designers build an information system that intuitive and easy to
manipulate for end users.
Activities in Prototyping
Stage 1: Developer and customer meet and define the overall
objectives for the software, identify whatever requirements are known
and outline areas of uncertainty.
Stage 2: A quick design occurs which focuses on input approaches,
output formats etc. to be shown to the customer.
Stage 3: Construct a prototype.
2) Prototyping

Stage 4: The prototype is evaluated by the customer/user and used to

refine requirements for the software to be developed.
Stage 5: Iteration occurs as the prototype is turned to satisfy the
customer while at the same time enabling the developer to better
understand what needs to be done.
3) Rapid Application Development (RAD)

The Rapid Application Development (or RAD) model is based on prototyping

and iterative model with no (or less) specific planning. In general, RAD approach
to software development means putting lesser emphasis on planning tasks and more
emphasis on development and coming up with a prototype.
Business Modeling: The information flow is identified between various business
functions.
Data Modeling: Information Gathered from business modeling is used to define
data objects that are needed for the business.
Application Generation: Automated tools are used to convert process models into
code and the actual system.
Testing: Test new components and all the interfaces.
4) End User Development
End-user development (EUD) helps to solve this problem. EUD is "a set of
methods, techniques and tools that allow users of software systems, who are acting
as non-professional software developers, at some point to create, modify, or extend
a software artifact“
Role of End User in System Development
An end user is a hands-on user of a product who uses the delivery on a regular or
daily basis. They play an extremely important role in product development. End
users provide feedback to developers, which helps to ensure that software
products are actually used by the people who need them
5) Application Software package
Application package software, or simply an application package, is a collection of
software programs that have been developed for the purpose of being licensed
to third-party organizations.
Example
• Word processing packages e.g. MS WORD.
• Spreadsheet packages e.g. MS EXCEL.
• Database Management System e.g. MS ACCESS.
• Graphics packages e.g. COREL DRAWS.
• Presentation packages e.g. MS POWERPOINT.
• Anti-virus packages e.g. NORTON,AVAST.
6) Outsourcing
In its simplest sense, Software Development Outsourcing describes an
arrangement, in which an organization chooses to hire an external software
development agency to effectively carry out all the tasks of a software
development project, that could be done in-house instead.
Example
Advertising, office and warehouse cleaning, and website development are the
best examples of outsourcing. Most business owners delegate authority to
outsourced specialists when it comes to bookkeeping, maintenance, recruitment.
This helps enterprises to focus most of their resources on the main activity.
 Information Technology (IT)

IT may be defined as, ‘’solutions for real human problem by

the development and application of tools, Machines, materials,
gods or information in the form of skills, knowledge,
processes, blueprints, plans, diagrams, models, formulae, table,
engineering designs, specifications, manuals or instructions’’.
Information technology (IT) is the use of any computers,
storage, networking and other physical devices,
infrastructure and processes to create, process, store, secure
and exchange all forms of electronic data.
Components of IT
People: people are the essential ingredients for the successful
operation of all information system. These people resources
include end users(also called users or clients)
Hardware: All data media, that is, tangible objects on which
data are recorded, from sheets of paper to magnetic or optical
disks.
Software: system software and application software.
Data: Databases that hold processed and organized data.
Network: Communication Process.
Application of IT
1) Education
Access to variety of learning Resources
Any time learning
Collaborative learning
2) Business and Industry
Customer Relations
Business Operations
Industrial Productivity
Business Mobility
3) Entertainment
4) Medicine
Types of Functional Information Systems
Marketing Information System
"A marketing information system is a continuing and interacting
structure of people, equipment and procedures to gather, sort, analyze,
evaluate, and distribute pertinent, timely and accurate information for
use by marketing decision makers to improve their marketing planning,
implementation, and control“
Types of Functional Information Systems
Input Subsystems
Transaction Processing system (TPS): Transaction Processing system
gathers data from both internal and environmental sources and enter
data into the database.
Marketing Research subsystem: It is also gathers internal
environmental data by conducting special studies. Marketing research
systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of information about
specific marketing matters.
Marketing Intelligence: It is helps managers to develop and change
marketing plans.
Types of Functional Information Systems
Database: The data that are used by the output subsystems comes
from the database.
Outputs subsystems:
Product subsystem
Place subsystem
Promotion subsystem
Price subsystem
Integrated mix subsystem
Types of Functional Information Systems
Manufacturing IS
Input subsystems
Transaction Processing system
Industrial Engineering subsystem
Marketing Intelligence subsystem
Database
Output subsystem
Production subsystem
Inventory subsystem
Quality subsystem
Cost subsystem
 Decision Supporting system (DSS)
Meaning
The term DSS refers to a class of system, which support the process of making
decision. The emphasis is on ‘support’ rather than on automation of decision. DSS
allow the decision maker to retrieve data and test alternative solutions during the
process of problem solving.
DSS is a specialized MIS designed to support an executives’ Skills at all stages of
decision i.e
 Problem Identification
Selection relevant data
Picking the approach to be used in decision making and evaluating the alternative
courses of action.
According to Scott Morton, ‘’DSS as interactive computer based system, which help
Decision –makers utilise data and model to solve unstructured problem.
 Decision Supporting system (DSS)
Characteristics of DSS
Provide Rapid Assess to information: DSS provide fast and continuous access to
information.
Handle large amounts of Data from Different source: Some data resides in different
database on different computer systems or networks. Other data can be accessed via the
internet or over a corporate intranet.
Provide Report and Presentation Flexibility: Output can be displayed on computer
screens or printed, depending on the needs and desires of the problem solvers.
Offer both Textual and Graphical Orientation: Today DSSs can produce text, tables,
line drawings, pie charts, tend lines and more.
Support Drill-Down Analysis: A manager can get more levels of detail when needed
by drilling down through data.
Perform complex, sophisticated Analysis and Comparisons using advanced
software packages: Market research surveys.
Components of DSS
 Components of DSS
Data Management Sub-system: The data management includes a database that
contains relevant data for the situation and is ,management system relevant data for
the situation and is manages by software called the database management
system(DBMS).
1. Model Management System
The model management system S=stores models that managers can use in their
decision-making. The models are used in decision-making regarding the financial
health of the organization and forecasting demand for a good or service.
2. User Interface
The user interface includes tools that help the end-user of a DSS to navigate through
the system.
3. Knowledge Base
The knowledge base includes information from internal sources (information
collected in a transaction process system) and external sources (newspapers and
online databases).
 Executive information system (EIS)
Meaning
An executive information system, also known as an executive support system, is a type of
management support system that facilitates and supports senior executive information and
decision-making needs. It provides easy access to internal and external information relevant to
organizational goals.
Examples
Financial reports and information.
Market reports.
According to Meall :
"EIS is a resource tool; a system that delivers rapid access to the selected key information
executives need for their decision making. User should need no IT or keyboarding skills. Access
is more likely to be via icons and a mouse or a touch screen, than a keyboard. Data is presented
with the help of color and graphics, in a form which is highly structured and easy to understand".
According to Matthews and Shoe Bridge :
"Executive Information System (EIS) is 1 computer-based information delivery and
communication system designed to support the needs of top executives".
 Executive information system (EIS)
Characteristics of Executive Information System (EIS)
1) Drill-Down Capabilities :
This helps the executive to get the details from particular information, e.g., drop in
corporate sales in a particular region. In systems that use graphical user interface, hypertext-
style connections are used for information gathering. In menu-driven systems, sub-menus
are used to access the detailed information at each level.
2) Designed with Management's Critical Success Factors In Mind :
Each company has its own critical aspects to achieve the organizational objectives. These
aspects can be at the individual, departmental and organizational level.
3) Status Access, Trend Analysis and Exception Reporting
This permits executives to get the recent data on any key variable. Trend analysis
supports the executive to study data over a given timeline. Hence, timing and
significance of information are too crucial. Permission to highlight deviations from
the established norm in the organization is allowed in case of exception reporting,
which also include reason of deviation.
 Executive information system (EIS)
4) Personalized Analysis :
Built-in functions are used to examine problematic situations in EIS. With the
help of these functions, executives become capable to specify the data required for
the analysis and the format type (in which results are displayed) of results.
5) Navigation of Information :
This allows access of large amounts of data in a very short time span with
accurate results. Forward and backward path access, skipping screens while
accessing a selected part of the system are the examples of it.
6) Presents Graphical, Tabular and/or Textual Information :
Terminal presentation of gathered information to executive users may be in
various formats like textual formats, tabular and/or graphical.
 COMPONENTS OF EIS
• USER INTERFACE: User Interface allows the users to communicate with the
EIS. User interface must be easy to use and understand. Users should not be
required to understand the complex query languages and other mathematical or
statistical formulas.
• HARDWARE: Hardware refers to devices by which users give input, data
processing and the output is received. Users may give input via keyboard and
mouse and CPU may be used for processing and output may be received on
monitor or from printer.
• SOFTWARE: Software is required for various calculations, providing graphical
view to the management, storing data in the form of Information, etc. Software
allows user to get information in the form it is actually required.
• TELECOMMUNICATION: In today’s world the most important thing is
communication. Users may require transferring information from one point to
another point. The information might be a little confidential in nature. The secrecy
of the information should be well maintained.
APPLICATIONS OF EIS
• MANUFACTURING: It determines whether a process is running correctly or not. It
helps in ensuring proper quality control of finished goods. It measures the actual
process time and compares with the standard time required for the process. It
provides management with daily production report, daily consumption report,
safety stock report, economic order quantity, etc.
• FINANCIAL: Every organization needs to ensure financial activities are running
sound. EIS may help to analyze whether payment has been realized from creditors
within stipulated period of time. It can help management in managing various
other sources of finance.
• ACCOUNTING: It helps in proper accounting and disbursement of accounting
functions.
APPLICATIONS OF EIS
ADVANTAGES
• EIS is easy for use and saves time of the top level management of the
organization.
• EIS provide access to timely information in a rapid manner.
• EIS provides extensive online analysis tools.
• EIS can easily be given a DSS support.
 Knowledge Management System (KMS)

Meaning
A knowledge management system comprises a range of practices used in an
organization to identify, create, represent, distribute, and enable adoption to insight
and experience. Such insights and experience comprise knowledge, either embodied
in individual or embedded in organizational processes and practices.
Example
Some examples of knowledge work systems are computer-aided design
(CAD)systems, virtual reality systems, and financial workstations. Computer-aided
design (CAD) systems: These systems are used for automating the creation and
revision of designs using computers and graphics software.
 Knowledge Management System (KMS)

Features of Knowledge Management

Purpose: Collaboration, sharing good practice or the like.
Context: Organized, accumulated and embedded.
Processes: it is developed to support and enhance knowledge-intensive
process, task or project.
Participants: Distribution of knowledge leads to its continuous change.
Instrument: connect people
Components of Knowledge Management System (KMS)

Business Process Management: Support the business Practices.

Content Management: Provides a range of strategies for Indexing,
organizing and storing.
Web Content Management: Communication channel through which
users interact with the knowledge system.
Knowledge application management: creating Knowledge.
 Geographic Information system

An example of this kind of information is computer data collected by

satellites that show land use—the location of farms, towns, and
forests. Remote sensing provides another tool that can be integrated
into a GIS. Remote sensing includes imagery and other data collected
from satellites, balloons, and drones.
International Information system
 Unit II
CASE Tool
A computer-aided software engineering (CASE) tool is a software
package that provides support for the design and implementation of
information systems. It can document a database design and provide
Invaluable help in maintaining the consistency of a design.
These tools help reduce or eliminate many of the design and
development problems inherent in projects produced by manual
methods.
System flow chart
System flowcharts are a way of displaying how data flows in a system
and how decisions are made to control events. To illustrate this,
symbols are used. They are connected together to show what happens
to data and where it goes. Note that system flow charts are very similar
to data flow charts.
Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD)
Meaning:
Object-oriented analysis and design (OOAD) is a technical approach
for analysing and designing an application, system, or business by
applying object-oriented programming, as well as using visual
modelling throughout the software development process to guide
stakeholder communication and product quality.
Example
An object is an entity having a specific identity, specific characteristics
and specific behavior. Examples — car, bottle, mobile phone,
computer, student.
Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD)
Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD)
Concept

1. Class (Blueprint)
2. Object (Approach System design)
3. Encapsulation (Protect some components of the object)
4. Inheritance
5. Polymorphism
 UML Diagram

Meaning
A UML diagram is a diagram based on the UML (Unified Modelling
Language) with the purpose of visually representing a system along
with its main actors, roles, actions, artefacts or classes, in order to
better understand, alter, maintain, or document information about the
system. The main aim of UML is to define a standard way to visualize
the way a system has been designed.
UML Diagram Types
Class Diagram
Class diagrams are the main building block of any object-oriented solution. It
shows the classes in a system, attributes, and operations of each class and the
relationship between each class. (Super Market)
Component Diagram
A component diagram displays the structural relationship of components of a
software system. These are mostly used when working with complex
systems with many components. (Super Market)
Deployment Diagram
A deployment diagram shows the hardware of your system and the software in that hardware. Deployment diagrams are useful
when your software solution is deployed across multiple machines with each having a unique configuration (Vehicle Registration)
Object Diagram
Object Diagrams, sometimes referred to as Instance diagrams are very similar to class diagrams. Like class
diagrams, they also show the relationship between objects but they use real-world examples. (Online
Shopping)
Package Diagram
As the name suggests, a package diagram shows the dependencies between different packages in a system.
Check out this wiki article to learn more about the dependencies and elements found in package diagrams.
(Departments)
Profile Diagram
This is a diagram type that is very rarely used in any specification. For more profile
diagram templates, visit our diagram community. (School)
Use Case Diagram
As the most known diagram type of the behavioral UML types,
Use case diagrams give a graphic overview of the actors involved in a
system, different functions needed by those actors and how these
different functions interact. (Airline Company)
Activity Diagram
Activity diagrams represent workflows in a graphical way. They can be used to describe the
business workflow or the operational workflow of any component in a system. (ATM)
State Machine Diagram
State machine diagrams are similar to activity diagrams, although notations and usage change
a bit. They are sometimes known as state diagrams or state chart diagrams as well. (Games)
Sequence Diagram
Sequence diagrams in UML show how objects interact with each other and the order those interactions
occur. It’s important to note that they show the interactions for a particular scenario. (Whatsapp, face
Book)
Communication Diagram
In UML 1 they were called collaboration diagrams. Communication diagrams are similar
to sequence diagrams, but the focus is on messages passed between objects. (Department)
Interaction Overview Diagram
Interaction overview diagrams are very similar to activity diagrams. While activity diagrams show a
sequence of processes, Interaction overview diagrams show a sequence of interaction diagrams. (Like ATM)
Timing Diagram
Timing diagrams are very similar to sequence diagrams. They represent the behavior of objects in a given time frame.
If it’s only one object, the diagram is straightforward. But, if there is more than one object is involved, a Timing
diagram is used to show interactions between objects during that time frame.
(E-mail)