Lee A. Freeman
- Agarwal, R., Atish, S.P., and Mohan, T. Cognitive Fit in Requirements Modeling: A study of object and process methodologies. J. MIS 13, 2 (1996), 137--162. Google Scholar
Digital Library
- Byrd, T.A., Cossick, K.L., and Zmud, R.W. A synthesis of research on requirements analysis and knowledge acquisition techniques. MIS Q 16, 1 (1992), 117--138. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Guinan, P.J., Cooprider, J.G., and Faraj, S. Enabling software development team performance during requirements definition: A behavioral versus technical approach. Information Systems Research 9, 2 (1998), 101--125. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Hay, D.C. Making data models readable. Information Systems Management 15, 1 (1998), 21--33.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Holtzblatt, K. and Beyer, H.R. Requirements gathering: The human factor. Commun. ACM 38, 5 (1995), 31--32. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Khazanchi, D. and Yadav, S.B. A new approach to problem definition. Information Systems Management 12, 2 (1995), 21--26.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Lloyd, K.B. and Jankowski, D.J. A cognitive information processing and information theory approach to diagram clarity: a synthesis and experimental investigation. The Journal of Systems and Software 45, 3 (1999), 203--214. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Millet, I. Technical note: a proposal to simplify data flow diagrams. IBM Systems Journal 38, 1 (1999), 118--121. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Nosek, J.T. and Schwartz, R.B. User validation of information system requirements: Some empirical results. IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering 14, 9 (1988), 1372--1375. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Salaway, G. An organizational learning approach to information systems development. MIS Q 11, 2 (1987), 245--264.Google ScholarDigital Library
- Sumner, M. and Sitek, J. Are structured methods for systems analysis and design being used? Journal of Systems Management 37, 6 (1986), 18--23. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Vessey, I. and Conger, S.A. Requirements specifications: learning object, process, and data methodologies. Commun. ACM 37, 5 (1994), 102--113. Google ScholarDigital Library
Index Terms
- A refresher in data flow diagramming: an effective aid for analysts
Recommendations
Diagramming information structures using 3D perceptual primitives
The class of diagrams known collectively as node-link diagrams are used extensively for many applications, including planning, communications networks, and computer software. The defining features of these diagrams are nodes, represented by a circle or ...
Reviews
Pragyansmita Nayak
A method to improve the accuracy of the data flow diagram (DFD) developed in the requirements analysis phase of the software development life cycle (SDLC) is proposed. The system analyst develops a DFD in consultation with the user or customer. This is a crucial phase: 50 percent of the errors in the later stages of the SDLC, such as system design and development, are due to inaccurate requirements analysis. Earlier research had attempted to modify the process of creating DFDs, or proposed using alternative means other than DFDs. Freeman suggests that, instead of this strategy, the analyst should be given a refresher course in data flow diagramming before interacting with the client. To test this theory, a small experiment was conducted with 16 subject-analysts. The acting analysts were management information systems (MIS) majors, with backgrounds in system analysis and design. Half of the group was refreshed on DFD before they interacted with users. Sixteen non-MIS majors acted as users. A refresher course did improve the accuracy of the DFD developed; there was a 17 percent increase in accuracy from a 20-minute refresher session. The paper is well written. However, the results could have been presented in a more intuitive manner: the graph could have been plotted using the sorted accuracy score of the two categories of analysts, and the average score could have been displayed as a reference line in the plot. One of the analysts not trained with the refresher course shows better accuracy than the rest of the DFD-refreshed analysts. An explanation of this would have been interesting.
Access critical reviews of Computing literature here
Become a reviewer for Computing Reviews.
Comments