Data Flow Diagrams

["Anthony Markatos" <tonymar -at- hotmail -dot- com>]

Tony Markatos said

I have been in software for almost fifteenth years and have never seen 
anyone - including individuals with a BA title - create a data flow diagram 
(the  most common formal functional model/specification tool).  [Myself 
excluded]  So I am mystified as to what BA's do.

Win Day responded:

I sure hope you're kidding about not seeing any data flow diagrams!

In all my years as an engineer and then a technical writer, I can't
remember ever NOT creating flow diagrams of the processes I was working on.

Tony Markatos responds:

Well, one of two things has happened:

1.)  I have always worked for very poor-quality companies - there are many 
software organizations that repeatedly successfully utilize Structured 
Systems Analysis Techniques.  And, moreover, all DP professionals that I 
personally know have only worked for very poor-quality companies.

(If the above is true, what makes it so remarkable, is that somehow I 
succeeded in finding such companies and individuals - and none of the other 
type! - regardless of where I lived - east coast, west coast, mid-west - or 
what size company that I worked for - large, medium, small.)

2.) You are utilizing the term Data Flow Diagram very loosely.  Things that 
kind of look like DFD's are common.  I see such all the time.

(Note: rigorous adherence to a DFD methodology is VERY important in terms of 
the utility of the output.)

Tony Markatos
(tonymar -at- hotmail -dot- com)


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