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Why are tools such as data flow diagrams (DFD), entity relationship diagrams (ERD) and flowcharts particularly suited for documenting design options of an information system compared to...

      

Why are tools such as data flow diagrams (DFD), entity relationship diagrams (ERD) and
flowcharts particularly suited for documenting design options of an information system
compared to narrative texts'?

  

Answers


gregory
1) Ease of understanding
DFDs, ERDs and flowcharts are graphical tools, which are easier to read
through and understand as compared to blocks of narrative texts. This is because
they employ the use of text and diagrams which the mind can easily comprehend.
2) Easier to identify and correct errors
Since the tools are graphical, errors can be quickly spotted and corrected as compared to
narrative texts which force one to read sentence by sentence in order to decipher the
meaning and thus identify errors.
3) Ability to summarize the whole system in a small space
Context level DFDs (The highest level of a DFD) summarize a whole system in a very
small space. It‘s also possible to produce a compact (one page) system flowchart
summarizing the basic system functions and processes. ERDs can also be constructed to
fit a page for summary purposes.
4) Clarity
Diagrams reduce the ambiguity that could feature in narrative texts due to ambiguous
sentences and paragraphs since they reduce the amount of text involved in describing a
system
5) Presence of standards, which assure quality of designs
DFDs, ERDs and flowcharts have well-defined diagramming conventions. Adherence to
these standards ensures uniformity of system designs, which thus aids compatibility, and
understandability of system designs.
gregorymasila answered the question on November 18, 2017 at 07:53


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