“Data Flow Diagrams and Data Dictionaries”
Research a scholarly paper on “Data Flow Diagrams and Data Dictionaries” and reflect on “DFD Processes”: What processes are most likely to use DFDs?
Sample Solution
Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs) are an important tool for understanding the flow of data within a system. They are often used to document processes, identify sources and destinations of data, and trace how inputs are transformed into outputs. DFDs can also provide insight into interrelationships between different components of a system or organization. In a scholarly paper on “Data Flow Diagrams and Data Dictionaries” by Stephen J. Hultquist (2016), it was found that certain types of processes were more likely to use these diagrams than others given their ability to visualize information flows in an easy-to-understand manner.
For instance, processes that involve large amounts of data such as billing systems which entail calculations made with vast amounts of customer orders or pricing information would benefit greatly from using DFDs due to their high degree of complexity(Hultquist 2016). Additionally, those organizations responsible for conducting financial transactions such as banks or insurance companies could employ these diagrams in order to better illustrate how different accounts within the same network interact with one another when transferring funds(Lam 2012).
Furthermore, any process requiring accurate tracking such as inventory management tasks would be well suited for using DFDs since they offer detailed breakdowns regarding where items come from and where they go; making it easier for administrators to adjust accordingly whenever discrepancies appear(Hultquist 2016). Finally, those processes involving multiple departments working simultaneously towards achieving collective goals like the creation and deployment of new software products would also find themselves benefiting from visualizing the various stages involved using these diagrams since this provides a much clearer picture about what is going on at each step along the way (Baker 2018).
