<P> In the 1970s, Larry Constantine, the original developer of structured design, proposed data flow diagrams as a practical technique based on Martin and Estrin's "Data Flow Graph" model of computation . </P> <P> Data flow diagrams (DFD) quickly became a popular way to visualize the major steps and data involved in software system processes . DFDs were usually used to show data flow in a computer system, although they could in theory be applied to business process modeling . DFDs were useful to document the major data flows or to explore a new high - level design in terms of data flow . </P> <P> Data flow diagrams are also known as bubble charts . DFD is a designing tool used in the top - down approach to Systems Design . This context - level DFD is next "exploded", to produce a Level 1 DFD that shows some of the detail of the system being modeled . The Level 1 DFD shows how the system is divided into sub-systems (processes), each of which deals with one or more of the data flows to or from an external agent, and which together provide all of the functionality of the system as a whole . It also identifies internal data stores that must be present in order for the system to do its job, and shows the flow of data between the various parts of the system . </P> <P> Data flow diagrams are one of the three essential perspectives of the structured - systems analysis and design method SSADM . The sponsor of a project and the end users will need to be briefed and consulted throughout all stages of a system's evolution . With a data flow diagram, users are able to visualize how the system will operate, what the system will accomplish, and how the system will be implemented . The old system's data flow diagrams can be drawn up and compared with the new system's data flow diagrams to draw comparisons to implement a more efficient system . Data flow diagrams can be used to provide the end user with a physical idea of where the data they input ultimately has an effect upon the structure of the whole system from order to dispatch to report . How any system is developed can be determined through a data flow diagram model . </P>

Data flow diagram for system analysis and design