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Develop Data Flow Diagram

This document provides a step-by-step guide on how to create a data flow diagram (DFD) using Lucidchart. It outlines ten simple steps, including selecting a template, naming the DFD, adding external entities, processes, and data stores, as well as customizing the diagram with colors and fonts. The guide is aimed at helping users design a Level 0 DFD for an online shopping experience.

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gitwitayeho
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25 views7 pages

Develop Data Flow Diagram

This document provides a step-by-step guide on how to create a data flow diagram (DFD) using Lucidchart. It outlines ten simple steps, including selecting a template, naming the DFD, adding external entities, processes, and data stores, as well as customizing the diagram with colors and fonts. The guide is aimed at helping users design a Level 0 DFD for an online shopping experience.

Uploaded by

gitwitayeho
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DEVELOP DATA FLOW DIAGRAM

10 simple steps to draw a data flow diagram online with Lucidchart


Now that you know what makes up a data flow diagram, let’s see how easy it is to make
one using our powerful, online tool. We provide a ton of templates to use as a starting
point. In this how-to, we’re going to create a Level 0 DFD for an online shopping
experience. Log in to your account (if you don’t have one, sign up to try Lucidchart free
for a week) and follow the steps below to make a DFD.

1. Select a data flow diagram template


In the Documents section, click on the orange +Document button and double-click on
the Blank ERD & Data Flow diagram.

2. Name the Data Flow Diagram


3. Add an external entity that starts the process
In the left column of the screen, you’ll notice a lot of shapes and symbols. We’ve
already created the four symbols you’ll need to make a DFD. You can also add images
to the diagram. Scroll through the list of symbols until you get to the bottom and see the
heading Data Flow.

These are all the DFD symbols you need. (Note: Mouse over each shape to see what
they represent: process, data stores, data flow, and external entities). We have symbols
for Yourdon and Coad, Yourdon and DeMarco, and Gane and Sarson methods.
Click and hold External Entity and drag it onto the workspace.
Click the highlighted text in the box and type the name of the external entity. For our
example, we’re typing “customer.” You can use the curved arrow in the top left corner of
the square to rotate the symbol. Delete a symbol by clicking it and pressing delete on
your keyboard.

4. Add a Process to the DFD


Click and hold on a process symbol and drag it to where you want it on the workspace.
Type the name of the process. We’re calling this process “add product to cart.”
5. Add a data store to the diagram
Click and hold on a data store symbol and drag it to where you want it on the
workspace. Type the data store name. We’re naming ours “shopping cart.”

6. Continue to add items to the DFD


Drag-and-drop the appropriate symbols to add all the external entities, processes, and
data stores to your diagram. Move symbols around by clicking and holding on them, and
then drag them to a new location. Click on a symbol to resize it, then click and hold the
blue box in one of the corners and drag the corner to make the shape bigger or smaller.
Use the background graph as a guide for alignment and sizing.
7. Add data flow to the DFD
Double-click on an entity, process, or data store, and then click and hold one of the
orange circles and drag the line to the appropriate symbol.

Tip: If you prefer to create the data flow process as you complete the diagram, click on
an entity, process, or data store and then click and hold one of the orange circles and
drag the line to draw an arrow. Release the mouse button and a box with DFD symbols
will appear. Click on the shape you want to add and it will automatically be created.
8. Name the data flow
Add a name to describe the data flow by double-clicking on the arrow line. An option to
type text will appear, type the data flow name.

9. Customize the DFD with colors and fonts


Once you have the basic design of your diagram, you can add colors to symbols,
change fonts, and adjust arrows. Here’s how to:  Add colors to symbols: Click on a
symbol on the diagram and then click the color-fill icon and choose a color. Tip: To
make multiple symbols the same color, click the first item and then hold the shift key
and click the remaining shapes. Next, click the color-fill icon and choose a color.

 Change the font: Choose Select All from the Edit option in the menu. Click the font
box, choose a new font, and click it. All text in the diagram will be updated. You can use
the other shortcuts (font color, size, bold, italic, underline, and alignment) to customize
the font even more.
 Adjust arrow style: Click an arrow to select it. Next, click the arrow icon in the menu
bar and choose one of the nine other styles.

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