To create a Data Flow Diagram, perform one of the following actions:
Select menu File > New Diagram > Others > Data Flow Diagram
Figure 3.1 - Creating Data Flow Diagram from menu
Click on the New Data Flow Diagram button on the toolbar.
Figure 3.2 - Creating Data Flow Diagram from toolbar
In the Diagram Navigator, right-click Data Flow Diagram and select Create Data Flow Diagram from the context menu.
Figure 3.3 - Creating Data Flow Diagram in Diagram Navigator
A blank Data Flow Diagram will be created and opened in the Diagram Pane.
Data Flow Diagram Elements
This section describes the elements in Data Flow Diagram of BP-VA.
For basic diagramming techniques, please refer to Chapter 2 - Drawing Business Process Diagram.
Process
A Process manipulates the input data.
Figure 3.4 - Process
To create a Process, click on the Process button on the toolbar and then click on the diagram.
Figure 3.5 - Creating a Process
The Process symbol comprises of:
ID - The unique identifier, located at top-left of the symbol Location - Where/by whom the process is done, located at top-right of the symbol Name - The name of the Process, located at the center of the symbol
To edit these properties, open the specification dialog box of the Process. The name of the Process can also be edited in-place in the diagram.
Figure 3.6 - Process Specification
External Entity
An External Entity provides data/information to the system, or receive data/information from it.
Figure 3.7 - External Entity
To create an External Entity, click on the External Entity button on the toolbar and then click on the diagram.
Figure 3.8 - Creating an External Entity
The External Entity symbol comprises of:
ID - The unique identifier, located at the top of the symbol Name - The name of the External Entity, located at the center of the symbol
To edit these properties, open the specification dialog box of the External Entity. The name of the External Entity can also be edited in-place in the diagram.
Figure 3.9 - External Entity Specification
Data Store
A Data Store is the location where data is held temporarily or permanently.
Figure 3.10 - Data Store
To create a Data Store, click on the Data Store button on the toolbar and then click on the diagram.
Figure 3.11 - Creating a Data Store
The Data Store symbol comprises of:
Type + ID - The type and the unique identifier of the Data Store, both located at the left of the symbol Name - The name of the Data Store, located at the center of the symbol
To edit these properties, open the specification dialog box of the Data Store. The name of the Data Store can also be edited in-place in the diagram.
Figure 3.12 - Data Store Specification
Data Flow
A Data Flow represents the data/information that flows to/from a Process.
Figure 3.13 - Data Flow
To create a Data Flow, click on the Data Flow button on the toolbar, and then drag from the source shape to the destination shape.
Figure 3.14 - Creating a Data Flow
Decomposing a Process
To decompose a Process, right-click on it and select Decompose from the context menu.
Figure 3.15 - Decomposing a Process
If the Process connects with Data Stores and External Entities, you will be asked whether to add those shapes to the decomposed diagram.
Figure 3.16 - Prompt for adding related shapes to decomposed diagram
If you selected Yes, the related shapes will be added to the decomposed diagram. Otherwise the diagram will be blank.
Figure 3.17 - Data Flow Diagram of a decomposed Process
Chapter 3 - Drawing Data Flow Diagram
