An integrated methodology for functional analysis, process design and database design

Abstract

A methodology that combines and integrates the major stages of information systems development is presented. The methodology is based on hierarchical data-flow diagrams which are used to perform a functional analysis of the system. This enables the conducting of process design on the one hand, and information structure analysis and database schema design on the other. Specifically, we describe a method that connects the transactions of the system (the product of the process design stage) with the record-types (the product of database design stage). This connection closes the gap between the “procedural” and “structural” aspects of the system, and enables a smooth transition to the stage of system construction. It also facilitates the designing of sub-systems and their sub-schemas. Software tools that support all stages of the methodology are reviewed, emphasizing the tool DS2DS that connects the transactions with the record-types.