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Models and modelling

Models are mechanisms for communication. This free course, Models and modelling, 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, entityrelationship diagrams and state machines.
Course learning outcomes
After studying this course, you should be able to:
After studying this course, you should be able to:
- explain why modelling plays a key role in eliciting requirements
- identify the different kinds of model used in eliciting requirements
- explain the need for modelling languages
- interpret a data flow diagram describing a simple process
- interpret a use case diagram describing a system's response to a business event.
First Published: 09/08/2012
Updated: 22/07/2019
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Course content
- Introduction
- Learning outcomes
- 1 Models and modelling
- 2 Models
- 3 Modelling languages
- 4 Data flow diagrams
- 5 Four other diagramming techniques
- 6 Use cases and actvity diagrams
- 6 Use cases and actvity diagrams
- 6.1 Use case modelling
- 6.2 Actors
- 6.3 Describing use cases
- 6.4 Scenarios
- 6.5 More about actors
- 6.6 Modelling the relationships between use cases
- 6.7 Stereotypes
- 6.8 Sharing behaviour between use cases
- 6.9 Alternatives to the main success scenario
- 6.10 To extend or include?
- 6.11 Issues with use cases
- 6.12 Self-assessment questions
- 6.13 Exercises
- 7 Modelling users' routines
- 8 Entity–relationship data modelling
- 9 An introduction to state machines
- Conclusion
- Keep on learning
- References
- Acknowledgements
- This site has Copy Reuse Tracking enabled - see our FAQs for more information.
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About this free course
14 hours study
Level 3: Advanced
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