What are SSADM Diagrams?
SSADM stands for Structured Systems Analysis and Design Method. It was developed by
Learmonth & Burchett Management Systems (LBMS) and the
Central Computer Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) as a standard for British database projects.
SmartDraw also supports SSADM, which focuses on the development of object-oriented applications with graphical user
interfaces.
The steps to constructing SSADM diagrams
SSADM Diagrams
The SSADM4 model has 6 stages.
Stage 1:
Investigate the current environment
Draw a Data Flow Diagram (DFD) and a Logical Data Model (LDM) showing the current system. Logical Data Models (LDMs)
are similar to Entity-Relationship Diagrams (ERDs).
Stage 2:
Business Systems Options (BSOs)
Describe possible new systems in terms of functionality and implementation issues. Use text and skeletal DFDs and LDMs.
Stage 3:
Requirements Specification
After choosing a BSO, refine DFDs and LDMs. To model how the system will respond to events (entity behavior modeling),
draw an entity life history (ELH) diagram, an
effect correspondence diagram (ECD), and
enquiry access paths (EAP).
Stage 4:
Technical System Options (TSOs)
Describe the costs, benefits, and constraints of implementing the specification.
Stage 5:
Logical Design
Define how data is processed by the system and describe user dialogs. Update the entity life history diagrams with state indicators and draw an updated processing model (UPM).
Stage 6:
Physical Design
Develop user interface structures and implement logical processes.
