System Design & Analysis

29/03/2021 Laureate International Universities

https://laureate-au.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_101280_1&content_id=_9650063_1&mode=reset 1/5

MODULE 3MODULE 3

Process Modelling

Introduction:

Welcome to Module 3! In this module you will learn how to analyse and

model business process �ow. There are multiple UML diagrams

dedicated to process modelling. This module �rst focusses on Context

Diagrams. A Context Diagram treats the system of interest as a black box

and examines the external entities that interacts with the system. It

identi�es the input and output that �ows to and from the system

processes. Context Diagrams are useful in de�ning the boundary of a

system, and its dependencies on external elements.

29/03/2021 Laureate International Universities

https://laureate-au.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_101280_1&content_id=_9650063_1&mode=reset 2/5

You will then learn to decompose the system of interest and examine the

high-level and major business processes in the system. Data Flow

Diagrams (DFDs) are used to provide a visual representation of various

processes in the system as well as the data that �ows through the

system. A DFD depicts the data �ows in and out of a process by

connecting the processes with an arrow labelled with the name and type

of data. A data dictionary is normally also provided to complement a

DFD, which provides greater details on the data that is shown in the DFD.

For each system, there is only one Context Diagram. However, DFD is a

set of hierarchical diagrams. The top level DFD is called Level 0 DFD. For

each system, there is only one Level 0 DFD that depicts all the high-level

processes in a system. For each process in the Level 0 DFD, a Level 1 DFD

may be drawn which decomposes that process and depicts “�ner”

processes within that process. Please note that not all processes in the

Level 0 DFD requires further decomposition. However, for complicated

business processes in the Level 0 DFD, it may be necessary to unpack

those processes and examine the data �ow at a �ner level.

Please note that all DFDs must be balanced. This means that all the data

that �ows in and out of the system in the Context Diagram must also be

re�ected in the Level 0 DFD. Likewise, all the data that �ows in and out of

a process in the Level 0 DFD must also be represented in the Level 1 DFD

for that process.

Are there any other diagrams that is not covered in this module but can

be used to analyse and model business process �ows? The answer is Yes.

The purpose of this module is not to provide you with a comprehensive

survey of all the tools used for process models, rather you will learn the

essential elements to process modelling. In the future, you may come

across other types of process diagrams. By the end of this module, you

would have developed the ability to learn a new model quickly.

NOTE: Before we proceed with this module, we should clearly understand

that User Interface Design (UID) is very important and even a pre-

requisite to process modelling. We will be covering user interface design

extensively in Module 5. UID focuses on maximizing usability and the

user experience for using any given information system. The primary goal

29/03/2021 Laureate International Universities

https://laureate-au.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_101280_1&content_id=_9650063_1&mode=reset 3/5

of user interface is to make user interaction simple and e�cient. No

matter how sophisticated and powerful a system is, a poorly designed

user interface will make it much less e�ective. Users normally do not

notice a well-designed user interface because it feels intuitive and

natural, however, users certainly notice interface �aws almost instantly.

UID is so critical that several software companies have a dedicated team

for interface designing. As for this module, you should remember that

several user interfaces may translate to ‘Sources’ in a Data Flow Diagram

but not all ‘Sources’ in these diagrams represent user interface. You will

learn this in more detail as you will learn process modelling in this

module. For more details about user interface designing, please refer to

module 5, 5.1, and 5.2.

This Module will cover:

Module 3.1 – Process modelling I

Module 3.2 – Process modelling II

This Module will help you achieve the following outcomes:

a) Identify, critically evaluate and recommend information systems solutions for ine�ciencies in business processes, procedures and work practices using data and process modelling techniques.

b) Formulate, validate and document business requirements for a medium-scale information system development project and e�ectively communicate these requirements to the stakeholders.

c) Demonstrate the ability to e�ectively analyse, design and develop information systems using Uni�ed Modelling Language (UML) models.

d) Demonstrate team work skills and empathy while maintaining high level of ethical and legal behaviour and standards as a professional.

Time Management:

29/03/2021 Laureate International Universities

https://laureate-au.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_101280_1&content_id=_9650063_1&mode=reset 4/5

Your workload expectation is 20 hours for this module.

12 Week Delivery:

20 hours per module (two weeks): facilitated study: 3 hours / week. Personal Study: 7 hours / week.

3 hours facilitated study consists of attending class, responding to facilitator feedback.

You are to allocate 7 hours of personal learning. This includes essential time spent on pre-reading and viewing materials, assessment progression and learning activities.

Assessment Progression:

Assessment 2 is due at the end of Module 4.2. Please refer to the

assessment briefs in the assessment area for more detail. In Assessment

2, you are required to draw both the Context Diagram and the Data Flow

Diagram for a new system. Both diagrams are taught in this module. It is

important for you to complete all learning activities in this module. All

learning activities are designed to help you gain skills in analysing and

modelling processes in a system.

Class Expectation:

You are expected to have worked through the essential learning resources and activities for this module before attending the facilitated session (face to face or online session) – this enables informed discussion and full participation in learning activities.

Participate in all scheduled facilitated sessions.

This time is intended to be used by you and your learning facilitator to work through activities and engage in discussion about the module content.

These sessions provide a space for you to raise questions about the module content and seek guidance on writing your assessments.

You will review, explore and discuss more deeply the information presented in the learning resources.

29/03/2021 Laureate International Universities

https://laureate-au.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_101280_1&content_id=_9650063_1&mode=reset 5/5