Data Flow Diagram / DFD
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
A graphical tool that describes how data flows and transforms in a system: - External entities: sources or destinations of data - Processes: data transformations - Data stores: locations where data is saved - Data flows: paths of data movement. Scaffolding role: Make information flow visible. In complex systems, data flow paths are often obscure; DFD makes them explicit, helping to identify bottlenecks, redundancies, and omissions.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
Make information flow visible. In complex systems, data flow paths are often obscure; DFD makes them explicit, helping to identify bottlenecks, redundancies, and omissions.
Anchor fast decisions
Use four symbols—external entities, processes, data stores, and data flows—to describe the information flow of a system, decomposing it layer by layer from top to bottom. It focuses on 'where data goes' rather than control flow.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%B3%87%E6%96%99%E6%B5%81%E7%A8%8B%E5%9C%96verified
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