Online Data Flow Diagram
DFD Design and Modeling for Teams
Visually represent how data flows through systems. Collaborate in real-time with your team to show how data interacts and how it's stored.
- Easy drag-and-drop interface and tools to draw multi-level DFD diagrams
- Infinite canvas to analyze existing systems or model new ones
- Custom shape libraries to showcase entities, processes & data stores
Over 8 Million people and 1000s of teams already use Creately
Visualize System Data Flows
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Simple drag and drop tools to define complex systems with ease.
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Multiple DFD templates with industry specific notations to show how data flows.
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Multiple styling and color options to create fully customizable DFDs.
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Plus Create to intuitively suggest the next shape based on what you are creating.
Link and Connect Multiple Data Flows
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DFD shape libraries to detail processes, analyze and identify areas to improve.
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Dynamic connectors and advanced linking to create easy navigation flows.
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Infinite canvas to visualize multiple DFDs in one place for analysis and reference.
Gather Multiple Inputs from Your Team
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Real-time cursors for any number of participants. Work together on a shared canvas.
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Use @mention comments to have discussions and follow ups on the same DFD.
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Embed data flow diagrams on any site or share with anyone via an email or link invite.
What is a Data Flow Diagram?
Data flow diagram depicts the way data is processed by a system, the inputs and outputs with a special focus on the information flow and storage. DFD’s describe the movement of data within an information system and visualizes the data processing and transformation activities.
DFDs are used to analyze and design information systems, and can also be used to identify potential bottlenecks and areas for improvement. They are commonly used in software development, business process modeling, and system design.
How to Create a Data Flow Diagram with Your Team?
- Gather information about your systems
The team should first focus on defining the system and gathering the necessary information. This should include processes, external entities, data inputs, outputs, storage points, and pathways.
Get all your team members together on the same platform with Creately. Make use of Creately’s integrations with Microsoft Teams, Google, etc., to carry out dynamic discussions and planning sessions. Feel like you are in the same room.
- Understand the data flow
Identify where the data comes from, where it goes, and how it is transformed.
- Decide on the level of detail
Discuss with your team and understand the level of detail to include in the DFD. Should it be a high-level diagram or a detailed one?
- Create a context diagram
Create your DFD context diagram first. It should show the system’s boundary and external entities and their relationship with the system.
Select a data flow diagram template in Creately or start a workspace from scratch, and then name the workspace you just created.
- Create DFD levels
Create DFD levels that represent the system in more detail. Start with the context diagram and proceed to the lower levels. Add the identified processes, inputs, outputs, external entities, and data stores into the workspace. Denote how data flows through your system in the DFD and name them.
Open the shape library and locate the standard symbols and notations under ‘database’ to structure the diagram. Use dynamic connectors and the quick access toolbar to indicate the direction of flow and customize with preset color themes. Use links to go from context diagrams to other levels in the DFD.
- Validate the DFD
Validate the DFD by reviewing it. Share your data flow diagram with other key stakeholders or team members to gather their feedback with contextual comments on Creately. You can download your DFDs as PNGs, SVGs, PDFs, and JPEGs for printing, sharing, or publishing on websites, presentations, etc. You can also share it with anyone via an email or link invite.
- Document and update
Document the DFD with your team before sharing it with others in the organization. Periodically review and update. Use Creately’s extensive documentation capabilities and notes panel to create a central repository of information for each element and level.
Editable Templates to Create Data Flow Diagrams
FAQs About the DFD Maker in Creately
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Level 0: Context diagram
- The most basic data flow diagram. Provides a broad overview of a process or system that is easy to understand.
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Level 1: Process decomposition
- Level 1, while remaining broad, offers more detail than Level 0. The single process node from the context diagram is broken down into sub-processes.
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Level 2: Deeper dives
- This level goes deeper into detail by breaking down each Level 1 process into granular subprocesses.
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Level 3: Increasing complexity
- This level or any higher is rarely used as it requires more detail, which can make the diagram more complex.
Streamline Your Workflows by Integrating with the Tools You Love
Creately integrates with the tools your teams use every day and supports your team’s workflow seamlessly.
Why is Creately a Better Data Flow Diagram Software
Creately is the intelligent visual platform enabling visual collaboration, knowledge management and project execution.
100+ proprietary features deliver a flexible, no-code visual platform, expertly-tuned for ease of use.
Infinite Visual Canvas
Visually create and organize any structure you imagine. Drag drop shapes or datasets, embed external content.
Real-Time Collaboration
Work remote or hybrid with realtime cursor tracking, synced previews and proper in-context comments and tasks.
Custom Databases
Create custom databases for any kind of information from tasks, HR personnel records to matters for law firms.
Data Driven Docs
Create docs and notes to go deeper from the high-level visual views. 2 way link to other docs, shapes or data with @mentions
Professional Diagramming
50+ types of standard diagrams with 1000+ specially designed shapes and connectors enable blazing fast diagramming.
Project & Task Management
Use built-in agile project management tooling or integrate with your favourite project management tool to keep work flowing.
Enterprise Scalability
From SSO, SCIM to well defined employee onboarding, offboarding workflows Creately can scale to support diverse enterprise needs.
Powerful Visual Modelling
Visuals that are backed by databases, update once, reflect in multiple views type of workflows.
Enterprise-Grade Security and Compliance
We ensure the privacy and information security of both clients and users through enhanced data security measures compliant with industry security standards. Creately is GDPR compliant and dedicated to keeping your data private, secure, and safe.
Just Plug and Play
An easy-to-use interface with a minimal learning curve. Simply Sign-In using your work email to automatically add team members to the enterprise plan.
No installation required.
