Process of Design

Focuses on the detailed implementation of the system

recommended in the feasibility study

Emphasis on translating performance specification
into design specifications
Transition from a user-oriented document to a
document oriented to the programmers or data base
personnel

Structured Design
Data Flow based methodology
Begins with system specification that identifies
i/p s and o/p
Functional aspects of the system
After DFD the next step is define the modules and

their relationships to one another structure chart

Structure design partitions program into small
manageable independent modules.
Tools used are
Structured flow charts
Hierarchical input Process output(HIPO) [VTOC, IPO]
Warnier-Orr Diagrams

Attempt to minimize the complexity

modularization / decomposition
top-down design

Details are shown at the bottom

Hierarchy of modules,
Each module has single entry
Single exit subroutine

Advantages
Critical interfaces are tested first
Early versions are useful enough to reassemble the
real system
Provides control & improves the morale
Procedural characteristics define the order that
determine the processing

Structured Flow Charts

Graphical tools for the designer to structure

software that is
Modular

Top-down

Basic elements
Process
Decision
Iteration
Shown on a single sheet of paper
Used to combine function diagram and DFD
Identify the functions contained in the process
Show the flow of data and flow of control during

processing

Functional Decomposition
Graphical tool for representing hierarchy

structure chart
Module is represented by a rectangle with a name
Contiguous set of statements

Connection
Represented by a vector linking 2 modules
One module has called another
A

Couple
Arrow with a circular tail
Represents data items moved from one module to
another

A
O

Q
P

Update
customer file

Cust
master
file
Valid
master
file

Get valid
customer file

Get new
transaction

Read
transactio
n

Read
transactio
n

Read the data

Transactio
n
Transaction

Valid
Transaction
Valid
master
file

Validate
transaction

Transactio
n

Edit data

Structure Chart An example

Udates
Cust
master
file

Update
customer file

Transaction
OK

Verify data

Functional Decomposition
Evaluation of the program modules
Modules connection to other modules coupling
Intramodule strength cohesion
Module coupling refers to
No. of connections between a calling and a called
module
Complexity of these connections
Must be at least one connection between module
and calling module

Module Cohesion refers to

Relationship among elements within a module
If module does more than one discrete task
instructions in that module are said not to bound
together closely
Modules performing one task are cohesive
Update safe
deposit
Get valid
cust file

Read
form
tape

Get cust
file

Edit
trans
reco
rd

Process
file

Verif
y
reco
rd

Validat
e trans

Form Driven Methodology

Each module in a hierarchy chart represents a

single function (cohesion)

Should be independent of rest of the
program(coupling)
Calls for more details than available
Need to develop input/process/output IPO charts
for each module
Tools
HIPO
IPO

HIPO / IPO Charts

Hierarchy Input Process Output chart

Forms driven technique
Standard forms are used to document the information
Consists of
Hierarchy chart
Associated set of input/process/output charts
Captures the essence of top-down decomposition
Describes the data input and output from processes and

defines the data flow composition

Developed by IBM as a design aid an implementation
technique

Objectives

Provide a structure where the functions of a

system can be understood

State the functions to be performed by the
program not the program statements
Provide a visual description of input to be used and
output to be produced for each level of the
diagram
HIPO makes transformation of input to output data
visible

HIPO

Uses easy-to-draw vector like symbols between

processes that define data communications and data

direction
Procedure
Begin at the highest level of abstraction
Define the inputs and outputs in an aggregate form
Identify the processing steps that convert input to

output
Document each element using HIPO diagram notation
and associated tree structure
Identify sub processes and their respective inputs and
outputs
Continue decomposition until the processes cannot be
decomposed any further

Components HIPO
HIPO Work sheet
HIPO template
Visual Table of Contents
Hierarchy chart (like organization chart)
Legend how symbols are used
Contents Brief description of each module
Functional Diagram
Each diagram shows

input and output

Major processes
Movement of data

Detail diagram
extended description ,
amplifies the process steps and
references the code associated with each process step

Hierarchy of Inputs Processes & Outputs

PROBLE
M

INPUT

MODULE

MODULE

PROCESSE
S

MODULE

MODULE

OUTPUT

MODULE

MODULE

Visual Table of
Contents : Hierarchy
Chart modules
increasing in details
top, down left to right

Sales/Inventor
y 1.0

Inventory
processing
overview 3.0

Sales rec,
validation ,
sales report
2.0
Verify
inventory
level 3.1
Validate
sales
rec 2.1

Generat
e sales
report
2.2

Check
customer
credit 2.3

Generate
dispatch
order 3.2

Generate
inventory
rep 3.4
Custome
r billing
3.3

Compute
Pay 1.0

Compute
gross pay
2.0

Compute
Net pay 3.0

Sum hours
worked 2.1

Determine
Pay rate 2.2

Compute &
record gross
Pay 2.3

Compute
Deductions
3.1

Verify emp
no. 2.2.1

Verify type
of work
2.2.2

Look up pay
rate 2.2.3

Check fot OT
etc. add to
pay 2.2.4

Write Check
for net Pay
3.2

Control Flow

Data Movement

Keyed Data Arrows

Legends: Tell how the symbols

are used

Each function
IPO
Chartin a

HIPO chart is further

described through IPO chart
INPUT
Sales trans
rec
Credit file

PROCESS
Validate sales &
generate sorter
trans file

OUTPUT

Back up
Invalid
orders

Generate
summarized sales
report

Special
Processing/rej
ected orders

Verify customer
credit & complete
payment terms

Transaction
File

Sales report

OUTPUT
INPUT

Old master
file

Payroll
record

PROCESS
Verify emp no
before reading rec
Verify type of
work
Load file and look
for pay rate

Error
messages
Confirm
update
Special
Processing

Rate Tab
Check OT and
check

Udate Pay roll rec

Transaction
File

Advantages of HIPO

Allows a program /system to be easily understood

Design development and documentation tool
Provide a common visual base for education and

communication
Less duplication on information & more information
can be obtained
Top-down approach with successive levels going for
grater
Errors can detected and isolated on a functional basis
Indicates clearly what input, processing and outputs
are involved in each programming module
Designs program that can be individually assigned,
designed and tested
Management tool for planning, scheduling

Disadvantages
Concentrates more on what is to be done rather

than how
Requires extra documentation beyond flowcharts
or coding
Necessitates some training before use

Warnier Orr Diagrams

Also known as logical construction of programs /

logical construction of systems)

Developed by Jean-Dominique Warnier and
Kenneth Orr
Aids the design of program structures
Identify the output and work backwards to
determine the steps and combinations of input
needed to produce the same

Basic Elements
Show the processes and sequences in which they

are performed
Each process is define in a hierarchical manner
Consists a set of sub processes that define it
Process is shown in a bracket to show each level
of the system
Critical factors like repetition and alteration are
shown very well
Alternatives can be represented using the +
symbol

Using Wariner Orr Diagram

Analyst works backwards
Stars with system output
Uses a output-oriented analysis
Development moves left-right
First , intended results are defined
Next steps needed to produce output are defined
Each step is in turn defined
Complete diagram includes process groupings and

data requirements
Data elements are listed out for each process of
component
A data structure for each of the elements is
documented

Calculate Gross
Pay

Basic Pay, DA, HRA,

CA

Payroll
Program
Calculate
Deductions

PF
Insurance
Tax

W- O Diagram

Income Tax
Professional
Tax

Advantages
Simple in appearance and easy to understand
Powerful design tool
Shows groupings of processes and data that must
passed from level to level
Sequence of working backwards ensures system is
result oriented
Useful for both data and process definition
Used for each independently or combined

Structured Walkthrough
Activity of all phases of a structured project
Interchange of ideas among peers who review a

product
Agree on the validity of a proposed solution to a
problem
In design walkthrough

Purpose is to anticipate as many problems in the design

as possible

Cheaper to make changes here than later

Objective
Come up with a maintainable design
Flexible and adaptable
Meets the organizations standards