Question

How can I prepare the context diagram, DFD and flowchart for payroll system? I've tried few times but I have been asked to redo it again. Can anyone please explain or show me the correct way ?

Answer 1

PREPARATION OF CONTEXT DIAGRAM,DFD AND FLOWCHARTS FOR PAYROLL SYSTEM

   CONTEXT DIAGRAM

The Context Diagram shows the system under consideration as a single high-level process and then shows the relationship that the system has with other external entities (systems, organizational groups, external data stores, etc.).  

Another name for a Context Diagram is a Context-Level Data-Flow Diagram or a Level-0 Data Flow Diagram. Since a Context Diagram is a specialized version of Data-Flow Diagram, understanding a bit about Data-Flow Diagrams can be helpful.

Some of the benefits of a Context Diagram are:

• Shows the scope and boundaries of a system at a glance including the other systems that interface with it
• No technical knowledge is assumed or required to understand the diagram
• Easy to draw and amend due to its limited notation
• Easy to expand by adding different levels of DFDs
• Can benefit a wide audience including stakeholders, business analyst, data analysts, developers

Data Flow Diagram(DFD)

A data flow diagram (DFD) illustrates how data is processed by a system in terms of inputs and outputs. As its name indicates its focus is on the flow of information, where data comes from, where it goes and how it gets stored.

There are essentially two different types of notations for data flow diagrams (Yourdon & Coad or Gane & Sarson) defining different visual representations for processes, data stores, data flow and external entities. Yourdon and Coad type data flow diagrams are usually used for system analysis and design, while Gane and Sarson type DFDs are more common for visualizing information systems. Visually, the biggest difference between the two ways of drawing data flow diagrams is how processes look. In the Yourdon and Coad way, processes are depicted as circles, while in the Gane and Sarson diagram the processes are squares with rounded corners.

Context Diagram. A context diagram is a top level (also known as "Level 0") data flow diagram. It only contains one process node ("Process 0") that generalizes the function of the entire system in relationship to external entities.

DFD Layers. Draw data flow diagrams can be made in several nested layers. A single process node on a high level diagram can be expanded to show a more detailed data flow diagram. Draw the context diagram first, followed by various layers of data.

Flow chart

As an employer, it’s your responsibility to do a few other things before you can go through the steps of the payroll cycle flowchart.

You must decide what pay frequency and which employee payment method you want to use.

Your frequency determines how often you must use your payroll process flow chart diagram. You can choose from four main frequencies, which are weekly, biweekly, semiweekly, and monthly. Once you choose your pay frequency, you must stick to it. If you need to change payroll frequency, check with your state and notify employees before adjusting your process.

The payment method determines how employees receive their wages. When it comes to how to pay employees, you may decide to offer employees direct deposit, paper checks, mobile wallets, pay cards, or cash. The type of payment your employees receive may dictate how many days before payday you need to run payroll.

  

Payroll can be broken down into four main parts:

1. Calculating gross pay
2. Subtracting taxes and other deductions
3. Verifying payroll
4. Paying employees

example of a flowchart of payroll of a company: