Course: ISEB Systems Modelling Techniques - Structured

In order to communicate system requirements clearly and accurately to both business and IT stakeholders, it is vital for analysts and designers to be able to construct models from a variety of perspectives. In most cases these models will provide the basis for more detailed design.

The starting point for this course is a set of requirements, as defined in the Systems Development Essentials course. It is primarily concerned with modelling systems using structured techniques. It requires delegates to construct four main types of model reflecting different perspectives and to describe the interactions between them.

At the end of the course delegates may sit an examination to attain the ISEB Business Systems Development certificate in Systems Modelling Techniques.

Delegates should already have an understanding of the fundamentals of systems development, or have attended the ISEB Systems  Development Essentials course.

The Need for Standard Techniques

Places business systems modelling in context within a project life-cycle; Types of model; Current and proposed business system modelling

Process Modelling using Dataflow Diagrams

The reasons for producing a business system process model; The principles behind the construction and use of DFDs; The benefits of using DFDs as a top-down, structured method of process modelling; Rules for construction; Supporting documentation

Static Modelling of Data using Entity/Relationship Diagrams

Entities/Relationships/Attributes; Developing logical data models; Drawing conventions

Dynamic Behaviour Modelling using Entity Lifecycles

Modelling the relationship between entities and processes (CRUD); Modelling the behaviour of data entities in terms of their life-cycle; Identification of the valid alternative paths

User Interface Modelling

The construction of a simple user interface model (user conceptual model)

Reviews

Guidelines and approach for reviewing the models against the business objectives and system requirements for consistency and completeness; Use of Structured Walkthroughs for peer and business domain expert validation

Case Study

Throughout the course, a case study is used to reinforce and practise the topics discussed