Models and modelling

Introduction

Models are mechanisms for communication. This unit looks at what a model is and what the process of modelling is about. The techniques discussed here are applicable to a wide range of systems and have one thing in common: they are all commonly used diagramming techniques. The five techniques are: data flow diagrams, use case modelling, activity diagrams, entity–relationship diagrams and state machines.

This unit is an adapted extract from the Open University course Software requirements for business systems (M883). [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]