How to draw context and DFD
level 1 diagrams
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Step1: Define the process.
Step2: Create a list of all external entities (all people and systems).
Step3: Create a list of the data flows.
Step4: Draw the diagram.
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•The main difference between the context diagram and the DFD level 1
diagram:
•Level 1 DFD breaks down the main process into subprocesses that can then be
seen on a deeper level. Also, level 1 DFD contains data stores that are used by
the main process.
•Steps for creating a context DFD:
Step1: Define the processes (the main process and the subprocesses).
Step2: Create a list of all external entities (all people and systems).
Step3: Create a list of the data stores.
Step4: Create a list of the data flows.
Step5: Draw the diagram.
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Rules governing DFDs
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Q1 (a): Identify Potential Violations of rules &
guidelines
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A1 (a):
1. Process 1.0 (P2) has only inputs, making it a black hole;
2. data flow DF5 should not move directly from source E1
to data store DS1 without first going through a process;
3. data flow DF1 should not move directly from source E1
to sink E2 without first going through a process.
4. Other mistakes (such as Process 1.0 has label P2 and
the data store has only a label, not a number)
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Q1 (b): Identify Potential Violations of rules &
guidelines
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A1 (b):
1. No data store in the context diagram
2. Payment- extra dataflow in level-1
3. Customer data– from source to data store directly
4. Order- bidirectional dataflow
5. Order details & inventory data – wrong forked dataflow
(different data)
6. Process 3.0 – No output
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Q2: Draw the context Diagram from the Level 1 DFD
for Hiring System
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A2:
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Q3: Student Administration System
• Student Administration System : The enrolment process
works as follows:
• Students send in an application form containing their personal
details, and their desired course. The university checks that
the course is available and that the student has necessary
academic qualifications. If the course is available the student is
enrolled in the course, and the university confirms the
enrolment by sending a confirmation letter to the student. If
the course is unavailable the student is sent a rejection letter.
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A3: Context DFD
• Step 4 (draw your context diagram)
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A3: Level-1 DFD
• Step 6 (draw your level-0 diagram)
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Q4: Precision Tools System
• Precision Tools System: Precision Tools sells a line of high-
quality woodworking tools. When customers place orders on
the company’s Web site, the system checks to see if the items
are in stock, issues a status message to the customer, and
generates a shipping order to the warehouse, which fills the
order. When the order is shipped, the customer is billed. The
system also produces various reports.
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A4 – Context DFD
• Step 4 (draw your context diagram)
Order
CUSTOMER In-Stock WAREHOUSE
Payment Request
Status 0 Shipping
Message Order
Order
Invoice System Shipping Confirmation
Inventory
Reports
ACCOUNTING
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A4: Level-1 DFD
Order In-Stock Request
CUSTOMER WAREHOUSE
1.0
Status
Message
Check Shipping
Status Data Status Order
Order
2.0 Data
Shipping 3.0
Confirmation Pending
Issue D1 Orders
Status
Messages Generate
Shipping
Order Data Order
Payment 4.0
Order Data
Invoice
Manage
Accounts
Receivable
5.0
Accounting Data Accounts Receivable Data
Produce
Accounts Reports
D2 Receivable
Inventory
Reports 16
ACCOUNTING