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New Post 7/27/2010 4:39 AM
User is offline 680Analyst
1 posts
No Ranking


Structure Chart 

Ok, first of all, I am new to this forum..., and am hoping this will be a great leanring tool for myself. I am fairly new to this all, however I have been a developer for 10+ years, and have been quite involved in the BA/SA process.

The question I have is, are Structured Charts still used, and considered a good analysis tool? Can they be used after the fact to document a system?

Thanks

 
New Post 8/11/2010 12:24 PM
User is offline Tony Markos
493 posts
5th Level Poster


Re: Structure Chart 

Since this is a forum on Structured Analysis and Design, by "Structured Chart" do you mean Structured Analysis related diagrams, that is, data flow diagrams for functional/process modeling?

Data flow diagrams are very much used today.   Just look at the BABOK 2.0    The BABOK handbook is essentially a functional spec on how to create a functional spec.   So what functional/process modeling tool did the experts who wrote the BABOK 2.0 actually use?  Answer input/process/output diagrams.   Data flow diagrams are integrated input/process/output diagrams.

(Note: Because the BABOK 2.0 utilizes non-integraged diagrams, it is impossible for the reader to get a systematic understanding of what the hand-book is trying to say.  Only a very disjointed understanding.)

Data flow diagrams are necessary for larger scale Business Analysis efforts because:

* At the bigger picture level, especially for larger scale systems, systems are what DFDr's refer to as being asynchronous:  Processes can happen in any order - that is there is no definable sequence.   This is why BPMN is only applicable for smallish efforts.

*  Only DFD's have a lithmus test of completedness:  when the data flows all smoothly hook up together, you have proven that you have a comprehesive, integrated understanding of functional/process requirements.   With Use Cases for example, you don't know when you are done.

*  Most important of all by far:  Only data flow diagrams result in a logical, natural partitioning of a system.   Larger scale modeling efforts require decomposition to handle complexity.  Without a logical, natural partitioning, the resulting decomposition is gauranteed to be goofy.

Tony

 

 

 

 
New Post 2/8/2011 9:40 PM
User is offline SteveBoulanger
38 posts
9th Level Poster


Re: Structure ChartA structure chart is a graphical chart used for the purpose of describing and com 

A structure chart is a graphical chart used for the purpose of describing and communicating a model within an organization. This chart naturally consists of shapes with descriptions and connecting lines that show relationships to other shapes within the chart.

 
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