Is there a good alternative to cover a scope diagram thats similar to swim lanes?
My project covers improvements to an existing product in several areas (only related via the product), and also investigation to a similar product....although no deliverables beyond that.
I need to show it in a scope diagram and so far have gone with Swim lane?
Hi Nzdq,
one method use is a context diagram. This is simply a circle labeled with the name of the solution you are working on. Around it are externals (role, people, groups, organisations or systems that are out of scope of the current solution) represented by boxes. Arrows to and/or from the solutiuon to each of the externals define whether the external is supplying information to the solution, receiving information or both. These arrows should be labeled with name of the domain of the information being supplied.
E.g. the circle might be labeled "Customer Sales Solution" and an external may be "Customer". There might be an arrow from Customer to Customer Sales Solution labeled "Order request".
The next stage would be decompose the circle - you could go to a level 0 DFD or you could go to swimlane diagram. In either case, the flows to the circle should balance with the flows comming in on the diagram.
It is important to realise that the functional scope of the solution is defined by what is inside the circle.
Hope that helps.
Guy
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