Assignment - 2

What is a data flow diagram?

A data flow diagram shows the way information flows through a process or
system. It includes data inputs and outputs, data stores, and the various
subprocesses the data moves through. DFDs are built using standardized
symbols and notation to describe various entities and their relationships. 

Data flow diagrams visually represent systems and processes that would be hard
to describe in a chunk of text. You can use these diagrams to map out an
existing system and make it better or to plan out a new system for
implementation. Visualizing each element makes it easy to identify
inefficiencies and produce the best possible system. 

Read our full data flow diagrams overview to learn more about best practices
when building DFDs.

How to create a data flow diagram

Now that you have some background knowledge on data flow diagrams and
how they are categorized, you’re ready to build your own DFD. The process can
be broken down into 5 steps:

1. Identify major inputs and outputs in your system :

Nearly every process or system begins with input from an external entity and
ends with the output of data to another entity or database. Identifying such
inputs and outputs gives a macro view of your system—it shows the broadest
tasks the system should achieve. The rest of your DFD will be built on these
elements, so it is crucial to know them early on.

2. Build a context diagram :

Once you’ve identified the major inputs and outputs, building a context diagram
is simple. Draw a single process node and connect it to related external entities.
This node represents the most general process information undergoes to go from
input to output. 

The example below shows how information flows between various entities via
an online community. Data flows to and from the external entities, representing
both input and output. The center node, “online community,” is the general
process. 
3. Expand the context diagram into a level 1 DFD :

The single process node of your context diagram doesn’t provide much
information—you need to break it down into subprocesses. In your level 1 data
flow diagram, you should include several process nodes, major databases, and
all external entities. Walk through the flow of information: where does the
information start and what needs to happen to it before each data store?

4. Expand to a level 2+ DFD :

To enhance the detail of your data flow diagram, follow the same process as in
step 3. The processes in your level 1 DFD can be broken down into more
specific subprocesses. Once again, ensure you add any necessary data stores and
flows—at this point you should have a fairly detailed breakdown of your
system. To progress beyond a level 2 data flow diagram, simply repeat this
process. Stop once you’ve reached a satisfactory level of detail.

5. Confirm the accuracy of your final diagram :

When your diagram is completely drawn, walk through it. Pay close attention to
the flow of information: does it make sense? Are all necessary data stores
included? By looking at your final diagram, other parties should be able to
understand the way your system functions. Before presenting your final
diagram, check with co-workers to ensure your diagram is comprehensible.
 Screen Design

ABSTRACT :

This paper reviews the elements of good screen design in relation to designing a
Man Machine Interface (MMI). The key principles in accomplishing a
successful design are knowing the user and empowering the user. Fast
prototyping helps the designer know the user and the ability to create well
designed screens empowers the user. Good screen design includes setting up
local standards, proper use of color, using effective layout rules, ensuring
adequate screen response, managing complexity, and maintaining consistency.
This paper examines these elements and how they relate to factors such as
intended operators and room environments.

INTRODUCTION

Creating the operator interface or the man machine interface (MMI) for a
control system can be a rewarding, creative and satisfying effort. A job well
done contributes greatly to the productivity of the controls effort. A poor MMI
becomes very frustrating, hard to use and may prevent the users from
accomplishing their control system goals. This paper provides some guidelines
for creating a good MMI. The two key principles for this effort as stated in the
OSF/MOTIF Style Guide [4] are knowing and empowering the user. KNOW
THE USER Knowing your user is the job of every professional. Users are the
operators, customers and people that will eventually sit or stand in front of your
screens for hours and hours, keeping their machine running. In all endeavors we
hear the same phrases: know your user, learn to communicate, write
specifications, and iterate ideas so that users get a close approximation to, or
maybe even more than, what they wanted. For good screen and MMI design, in
order to know your user, you must use an iterative design process with the user
during the development of the MMI. Iterative design is essential to good screen
design, especially when users are coming from an older MMI based upon
character cell terminals. These iterations help teach the users what is possible
with newer graphicbased MMIs and is accomplished most efficiently with a
rapid prototype screen builder. When you show users what is possible, they can
better communicate their requirements to you. Several iterative designs should
be done even during the initial demonstration of the preliminary screens in order
to show the users that changing screens is easy. In the past, changing control
screens was a very time-consuming effort and was requested only when
absolutely necessary. With new MMIs, users themselves have the ability to
create preliminary screens which will enhance the design process greatly. Later
on, users will also have the ability to maintain production screens. EMPOWER
THE USER The main reason for good screen design is to enable users to do
their jobs. If your iterative design process is successful with the user, you could
come up with an MMI that meets all the requirements but still is ineffective
because the screens are busy, too colorful, or do not get to the heart of the job. If
the screens distract rather than inform, or you need to navigate into too many
screens to get the job done, the effectiveness of the MMI can be lost. The
following sections describe some rules that make it easier to create an effective
MMI. Well designed MMIs make a good first impression and still are easy to
look at and use after a full shift and after years of running a facility. Remember
that an effective MMI empowers the users by minimizing the scan time required
to assimilate the information needed to do a task.

Research Reports
Definition :

Research reports are recorded data prepared by researchers or statisticians after

analyzing information gathered by conducting organized research, typically in
the form of surveys or qualitative methods.

Reports usually are spread across a vast horizon of topics but are focused on
communicating information about a particular topic and a very niche target
market. The primary motive of research reports is to convey integral details
about a study for marketers to consider while designing new strategies. Certain
events, facts and other information based on incidents need to be relayed on to
the people in charge and creating research reports is the most effective
communication tool. Ideal research reports are extremely accurate in the offered
information with a clear objective and conclusion. There should be a clean and
structured format for these reports to be effective in relaying information.

A research report is a reliable source to recount details about a conducted

research and is most often considered to be a true testimony of all the work
done to garner specificities of research.
1 Introduction to Designing Reports
1.1 Overview for Report Designers

A report consists of a data model, a layout, and a set of properties. Optionally, a

report may also include a style template and a set of translations. A report
designers performs the following tasks:

 Design the layout for the report. The layout can be created using a variety
of tools. The output and design requirements of a particular report
determine the best layout design tool. Options include the Layout Editor,
which is a Web-based layout design tool and enables interactive output,
Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Excel, and Adobe
Flexbuilder.

 Set runtime configuration properties for the report.

 Design style templates to enhance a consistent look and feel of reports in

your enterprise.

 Create sub templates to re-use common functionality across multiple

templates.

 Enable translations for a report.

1.2 About the Layout Types

BI Publisher offers several options for designing layouts for reports. The
following formats are supported. Note that the layout type determines the types
of output documents supported.

 BI Publisher layout (XPT)

BI Publisher's Layout Editor is a Web-based design tool for creating

layouts. Layouts created with the Layout Editor support interactive
viewing as well as the full range of output types supported by RTF
layouts.

 Rich Text Format (RTF)

BI Publisher provides a plug-in utility for Microsoft Word that automates

layout design and enables you to connect to BI Publisher to access data
 and upload templates directly from a Microsoft Word session. The RTF
format also supports advanced formatting commands providing the most
flexible and powerful of the layout options. RTF templates support a
variety of output types including: Excel (mhtml), Excel (html), Excel
(*.xlsx), HTML, MHTML, PDF, PowerPoint, RTF, and Zipped PDF.

 Portable Document Format (PDF)

PDF templates are used primarily when you must use a predefined form
as a layout for a report (for example, a form provided by a government
agency). Because many PDF forms already contain form fields, using the
PDF form as a template simply requires mapping data elements to the
fields that exist on the form. You can also design PDF templates using
Adobe Acrobat Professional. PDF templates support only PDF output.

 Microsoft Excel (XLS)

Excel templates enable you to map data and define calculations and
formatting logic in an Excel workbook. Excel templates support
Microsoft Excel (.xls) output only.

 XSL Stylesheet

Layouts can also be defined directly in XSL formatting language. Specify

whether the layout is for Data (CSV), Data (XML), FO Formatted XML,
HTML, Text, or XML transformation.

 eText

These are specialized RTF templates used for creating text output for
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
transactions.

 Flash

BI Publisher's support for Flash layouts enables you to develop Adobe

Flex templates that can be applied to BI Publisher reports to generate
interactive Flash output documents.

For more information about layout types, see Chapter 2, "Creating and Editing
Reports."
1.3 About Setting Run-Time Properties

BI Publisher provides a variety of user-controlled settings that are specified

using an easily accessible Properties dialog. These include security settings for
individual PDF reports, HTML output display settings, font mapping, currency
formatting, and other output-specific settings. For more information,
see Chapter 10, "Setting Report Processing and Output Document
Properties." These settings are also configured at the system-level, but can be
customized per report.

Input output design

Input Design :

In an information system, input is the raw data that is processed to produce

output. During the input design, the developers must consider the input devices
such as PC, MICR, OMR, etc.
Therefore, the quality of system input determines the quality of system output.
Welldesigned input forms and screens have following properties −
 It should serve specific purpose effectively such as storing, recording,
and retrieving the information.
 It ensures proper completion with accuracy.
 It should be easy to fill and straightforward.
 It should focus on user’s attention, consistency, and simplicity.
 All these objectives are obtained using the knowledge of basic design
principles regarding −
o What are the inputs needed for the system?
o How end users respond to different elements of forms and screens.

Objectives for Input Design

The objectives of input design are −

 To design data entry and input procedures
 To reduce input volume
 To design source documents for data capture or devise other data capture
methods
  To design input data records, data entry screens, user interface screens,
etc.
 To use validation checks and develop effective input controls.

Output Design

The design of output is the most important task of any system. During output
design, developers identify the type of outputs needed, and consider the
necessary output controls and prototype report layouts.

Objectives of Output Design

The objectives of input design are −

 To develop output design that serves the intended purpose and eliminates
the production of unwanted output.
 To develop the output design that meets the end users requirements.
 To deliver the appropriate quantity of output.
 To form the output in appropriate format and direct it to the right person.
 To make the output available on time for making good decisions.

Forms Design

Both forms and reports are the product of input and output design and are
business document consisting of specified data. The main difference is that
forms provide fields for data input but reports are purely used for reading. For
example, order forms, employment and credit application, etc.
 During form designing, the designers should know −
o who will use them
o where would they be delivered
o the purpose of the form or report
 During form design, automated design tools enhance the developer’s
ability to prototype forms and reports and present them to end users for
evaluation.

Objectives of Good Form Design

A good form design is necessary to ensure the following −
 To keep the screen simple by giving proper sequence, information, and
clear captions.
 To meet the intended purpose by using appropriate forms.
 To ensure the completion of form with accuracy.
 To keep the forms attractive by using icons, inverse video, or blinking
cursors etc.
 To facilitate navigation.

Types of Forms

Flat Forms
 It is a single copy form prepared manually or by a machine and printed
on a paper. For additional copies of the original, carbon papers are
inserted between copies.
 It is a simplest and inexpensive form to design, print, and reproduce,
which uses less volume.
Unit Set/Snap out Forms
 These are papers with one-time carbons interleaved into unit sets for
either handwritten or machine use.
 Carbons may be either blue or black, standard grade medium intensity.
Generally, blue carbons are best for handwritten forms while black
carbons are best for machine use.
Continuous strip/Fanfold Forms
 These are multiple unit forms joined in a continuous strip with
perforations between each pair of forms.
 It is a less expensive method for large volume use.
No Carbon Required (NCR) Paper
 They use carbonless papers which have two chemical coatings
(capsules), one on the face and the other on the back of a sheet of paper.
 When pressure is applied, the two capsules interact and create an image.