Modern Systems Analysis

and Design
Fourth Edition

Jeffrey A. Hoffer
Joey F. George
Joseph S. Valacich

Chapter 8
Structuring System Logical
Requirements

© 2005 by Prentice Hall

 Learning Objectives
Use structured English as a tool for
representing steps in logical processes in
data flow diagrams.
Use decision tables and decision trees to
represent logical choice in conditional
statements.
Select among structured English, decision
tables, and decision trees.
8-2 © 2005 by Prentice Hall
8-3 © 2005 by Prentice Hall
 Logic Modeling
Data flow diagrams do not show the
logic inside the processes.
Logic modeling involves representing
internal structure and functionality of
processes depicted on a DFD.
Logic modeling can also be used to
show when processes on a DFD occur.

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 Logic Modeling Deliverables and
Outcomes

Structured English
Decision Tables
Decision Trees
State-transition diagrams
Sequence diagrams
Activity diagrams

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 Modeling Logic with
Structured English
Modified form of English used to specify
the logic of information processes
Uses a subset of English
 Action verbs
 Noun phrases
 No adjectives or adverbs
No specific standards

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8-7 © 2005 by Prentice Hall
 Structured English is
used here to describe
input and output.

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 Structured English is
used here to describe
arithmetic operations.

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 Structured English is
used here to
describe repetition.

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 Structured English is
used here to
describe decisions.

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 Structured English is used
here to describe invoking
other processes.

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 Modeling Logic with
Decision Tables
A matrix representation of the logic of a
decision
Specifies the possible conditions and
the resulting actions
Best used for complicated decision logic

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 3 Parts of a Decision Table
1. Condition stubs
 Lists condition relevant to decision
2. Action stubs
 Actions that result from a given set of conditions
3. Rules
 Specify which actions are to be followed for a given set of
conditions

Indifferent Condition
 Condition whose value does not affect which action is
taken for two or more rules

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 Procedure for Creating
Decision Tables
Name the condition and values each
condition can assume
Name all possible actions that can occur
List all rules
Define the actions for each rule
Simplify the table

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 Decision Table

Note: for salaried employees the action stub chosen will always
be the same…therefore hours worked is an indifferent condition
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 Reduced Decision Table

Because of indifferent condition, the complete decision table

can be reduced to one with fewer rules
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 Modeling Logic with Decision
Trees
A graphical representation of a decision
situation
Decision situation points are connected
together by arcs and terminate in ovals
Main components
 Decision points represented by nodes
 Actions represented by ovals
 Particular choices from a decision point
represented by arcs
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 Modeling Logic with Decision
Trees (cont.)
Read from left to right
Each node corresponds to a numbered
choice on a legend
All possible actions are listed on the far
right

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 Decision tree representation of salary
decision

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 Alternative decision tree representation of
salary decision

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 Deciding Among Structured English,
Decision Tables, and Decision Trees
Criteria Structured Decision Decision
English Tables Trees
Determining Second Best Third Best Best
Conditions and
Actions
Transforming Best Third Best Best
Conditions and
Actions into
Sequence
Checking Third Best Best Best
Consistency
and
Completeness
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 Deciding Between Decision Tables
and Decision Trees
Criteria Decision Tables Decision Trees

Portraying Best Worst

complex logic
Portraying simple Worst Best
rules
Making decisions Worst Best

More compact Best Worst

Easier to Best Worst

manipulate
8-23 © 2005 by Prentice Hall
 Summary
In this chapter you learned how to:
 Use structured English as a tool for
representing steps in logical processes in
data flow diagrams.
 Use decision tables and decision trees to
represent logical choice in conditional
statements.
 Select among structured English, decision
tables, and decision trees.

8-24 © 2005 by Prentice Hall