Systems Modelling Techniques

Course Overview

Modelling for Software, Analysis & Design

The analysis & design of software is supported by using a variety of models, each of which represents a different perspective on the required final product This course is primarily concerned with modelling software systems from a variety of perspectives. Delegates are taught to construct three main types of model reflecting different perspectives and to describe the interactions between them. The architectural approach is a Structured Systems approach, using the Information Engineering (IE) modelling notation.

Who will the course benefit?

Solutions Architects. Business Analysts seeking to gain more insight into software development processes. Developers and programmers seeking to widen their knowledge of software development and progress their careers into Analysis and Design work. ICT project managers seeking to understand and de-mystify the jargon surrounding software development.

Course Objectives

To provide an introduction to structured systems system modelling.

Skills Gained

This course will enable delegates to:

• Appreciate how the selected models inter-relate with each other
• Describe how the products of analysis feed into the design and development of a system
• Develop a dynamic model using an entity life history model (State Charts)
• Evaluate selected models against business objectives and system requirements
• Develop models of system functionality using Data Flow Diagrams (DFD) with supporting descriptions.
• Develop models of system data using Entity Relationship models with supporting descriptions.
• Justify the need for software system modelling and modelling techniques
• Explain why it is important to model software systems from different perspectives

This course will enable delegates to:

Pre-Requisites

This course supports the ISEB series of modules in Systems Development, hence prior attendance on the Systems Development Essentials course (SDE) is recommended for those delegates going for ISEB Diploma accreditation.

Course Content

Dynamic Modelling

Analysing the behaviour of entities Events Enquiries Effects Entity Access Matrix Modelling the behaviour of entities Constructs for sequence, selection and iteration Documenting navigation paths

Static Modelling

Modelling data using Entity Relationship Diagrams Entities Relationships including cardinality, optionality, exclusivity, recursion, multiple, relationship names) Resolving relationships (1:1, Many:many) Attributes Keys (primary and foreign) Entity Super-types and Sub-types Supporting documentation Entity descriptions Relationship descriptions Attribute descriptions

Modelling functionality (30%)

Modelling processes using a Data Flow Diagram Processes External Entities Datastores Dataflows Decomposition and levels Elementary Process Descriptions Documenting the processing Types of Data Flow Diagrams - current and required

Systems modelling in context

Monitoring analysis against business objectives and system requirements The bridge to design, software package selection and development

Systems modelling

The need for modelling and modelling standards Rationale for the selected approach The approach and a Systems Development Lifecycle Place of models within the Systems Development Lifecycle Modelling the IT system from different perspectives Interaction of the selected models Validating and verifying models

Follow-on Courses

Examinations

On completion of this course delegates may wish to sit for the ISEB Certificates in Systems Modelling Techniques. Certificate can be used towards the ISEB Systems Development Diploma.