Business Analysis Session 1

Front 1

What makes a good tool ?

Back 1

The most appropriate tool depends on Project Scope as represented by:

Are we aiming to implement off the shelf application in place of aging legacy system?

Are we aiming to keep functionality but update the technology?
Are we aiming to reduce user complaints about current system?

Are we aiming to develop a new system to support new business services to be provided to external customers?

Front 2

Project Lifecycle Diagram

Back 2

Where do we use each tool?

We will follow a typical project lifecycle in the modules, to give us a general sense of “when” and “where

Front 3

Overview of Solution Delivery

Back 3

Use image snapshot.

Front 4

A Business case ( Enterprise Analysis)

Back 4

A document that explains in jargon-free business language the actions needed to improve a specific aspect of business performance

Typically recommends an outline solution (eg. A new or modified business process supported by a system)

May recommend buying or building the solution or deferring the decision until a more detailed analysis of requirements has been completed.

Aim of case is to gain cross-functional approval

Front 5

Scoping tool-Data Flow Diagram

Back 5

A Data Flow Diagram, or DFD, is used to display the flow of data in an information system.

Front 6

What types of notation does a DFD use?

Back 6

There are 2 types of notation used in a DFD:

Yourdon & Coad

Gane & Sarson

Front 7

Purpose and usage of DFD? (Transformed)

Back 7

Show how input data is transformed to output results through a sequence of functional transformations.

Front 8

Purpose and usage of DFD? (Easy To Read)

Back 8

An easy to read and understand Inputs/outputs, Processes and Data storage with minimal training.

Front 9

Purpose and usage of DFD (audiences)

Back 9

Understood by technical and non-technical audiences.

Front 10

Purpose and usage of DFD (at number of different levels)

Back 10

Can be applied at number of different levels. High level system overview shows with boundaries and connections to other systems.

Lower level DFD shows a detailed representation of system components.

Front 11

Purpose and usage of DFD? (Data modeling?)

Back 11

Pre-requisite or concurrent activity to data modeling

Front 12

What is DFD level 0 also called?

Back 12

DFD level 0, the highest level is called a Context Diagram.

Front 13

Context diagram

Back 13

Context

Front 14

Entity

Back 14

Ebtity DFD

Front 15

Process

Back 15

The process is the manipulation or work that transforms data, performing computations, making decisions (logic flow), or directing data flows based on business rules.

Front 16

Data Store:

Back 16

A data store is where a process stores data between processes for later retrieval by that same process or another one.

Front 17

Data Flow / Real-Time Link:

Back 17

Data flow is the movement of data between the entity, the process, and the data store. Data flow portrays the interface between the components of the DFD.

A link to another system.

Front 18

Context Level Diagram ( DFD level 0) for a Bookstore

Back 18

DFD Level 0 for a bookstore

Front 19

Conventions for Data Flow Diagrams

Back 19

Each context diagram must fit on one page
The process name should be the name of information System or function
Use unique names
Do not cross lines
Use abbreviated identifications if possible
Use reference numbers for process symbols
Do not connect 2 external entities
Do not connect 2 data stores
Do not connect external entity to data store

Front 20

DFD Data flow Rules

Back 20

Check 1 - Does each function have input and output?

Check 2 - Does each function have all the information it needs in order to produce its output?

Check 3 - If not, then what information does it need and where will it get that information from?

Front 21

DFDs and Data dictionary defined?

Back 21

All data flows, processes, external entities, and Datastores should be defined in the data dictionary

Front 22

What does Level 1 DFD do?

Back 22

The Level 1 Data Flow Diagram highlights the main functions carried out by the system.

We can describe the system with the following sentence: “Gets orders from customers and receives payment when they are delivered”.

Front 23

DFD Level 0 Pharmacy Example – Yourdon Notation

Back 23

Yourdon Notation