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Modeling Systems Requirements

(Data Dictionary Forms – Data Flow)
• Elements make up the Data
Structure
• Algebraic notations used for
describing the Data Structure:
• Equal sign (=), meaning
consists of
• Plus sign (+), meaning
"and"
• Braces {} meaning
repetitive elements, a
repeating element or group
of elements
• Brackets [] for an either/or
situation
• Parentheses () for an
optional element

Modeling Systems Requirements

(Data Dictionary Forms – Data Flow)
Data Flow Description Form - Example

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Modeling Systems Requirements

(Data Dictionary Forms – Element)

Modeling Systems Requirements

(Data Dictionary Forms – Element)
Element Description Form - Example

2
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Modeling Systems Requirements

(Data Dictionary Forms – Data Store)

Modeling Systems Requirements

(Data Dictionary Forms – Data Store)
Data Store Description Form - Example

3
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Modeling Systems Requirements

(Data Dictionary Forms – External Entity)

Modeling Systems Requirements

(Data Dictionary Forms – Data Flow)
External Entity Description Form - Example

4
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Modeling Systems Requirements

(Process Specification Form)

Modeling Systems Requirements

(Process Description Form)
Process Descriptions
• Structured English
Uses instructions, repetition and if-then-else logic (an
algorithm that describes the process)
Not so good for showing complex decision logic
Not so good if there are few or no sequential steps
• Decision Table
A tabular representation of processing logic containing
decision variables, decision variable values and actions (or
formulas)
• Decision Tree
A graphical description of process logic that uses lines
organized like branches of a tree

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Modeling Systems Requirements

(Process Description Form)
Process Specification Form - Example

Modeling Systems Requirements

(Process Description Form)
Process Descriptions – Example
Structured English Decision Tree
If Product is in stock and Credit status
is OK
Accept order Accept
Else Y
Reject order Y N
End If In Credit Reject
stock OK
Decision Table N
Reject
Y
N
Reject

Shelly et al (2007) Fig 4-37