Structured Analysis

 Structured Analysis is a set of techniques and graphics tools with the help of which a system analyst can prepare a new type of system specifications which the user can comprehend easily.

Charting, Data Flow Diagram, Data Dictionary, Decision Tree, Structured English are some prominent tools of structured analysis.

The main objective of system development is to provide a user with a system as per the need of the user.

The analysis is the centre of this type. It is the main part of the first step of system development life cycle. In the first step we are focussed on problem definition and initial investigation where the analysis helps us understand the system well.

System life cycle provides very little quality control through which errorless commu-nication may take place between the user and the analyst.

A chart is a pictorial expression of relationship and movement. It is also used in information communication, comparative work, giving importance to some facts and guessing in some particular circumstances.

Bar charts are more useful than other charts in showing relation amidst elements.

Line chart is the commonest example of chart. Line charts are generally called graphs because these are generally formed by linking the plotted dots.

A pie chart is very good at showing ratios in percentage.

Data flow diagram is an important tool of structured analysis which was evolved by Larry Constantine.

Data flow diagram is a complete network which describes the data flow in the whole system, Data stores and mentions those processes which changes the flow of data.

DFD is a formal and logical extract of network system which contains many possible physical configurations.

Most of the activities of the system analyst relate to data for analysing the problem and designing the system. An analyst must know about all the data which the system generates and uses. In addition, a system analyst implements new system data which are worth using and includes other data required for the system.

Data structures are made of data elements and other data structures.

Data dictionary is a central store which defines all the data structures inside a system, such as data element, data flow and data store and describes them.

A decision tree is a chart like a network which is similar to a decision table. Just like a decision table, it, while displaying all the actions, describes the logical rules which is the result of different combinations of conditions.

Decision tree is less well-linked than decision table and in some cases is less accurate to present the complicated branching relations. But a decision tree provides an easily understandable picture which can be read to show how the small and big logical portions go together.

Just like decision tables, a decision tree can denote the logical form of both the system and the computer program.

In decision tables, structured English is also used, which is a method of displaying logical process in outline format.