Structured Analysis

Last Updated: December 27, 2016

Definition - What does Structured Analysis mean?

Structured analysis is a software engineering technique that uses graphical diagrams to develop and portray system specifications that are easily understood by users. These diagrams describe the steps that need to occur and the data required to meet the design function of a particular software. This type of analysis mainly focuses on logical systems and functions, and aims to convert business requirements into computer programs and hardware specifications.

Structured analysis is a fundamental aspect of system analysis.

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Techopedia explains Structured Analysis

The major steps involved in the structured analysis process are:

Studying the current business environment
Modeling the old logical system
Modeling a new logical system
Modeling a new physical environment
Evaluating alternatives
Selecting the best design
Creating structured specifications

There are three orthogonal views related to structured analysis:

Functional View: This involves data flow diagrams, which define the work that has been done and the flow of data between things done, thereby providing the primary structure of a solution.
Data View: This comprises the entity relationship diagram and is concerned with what exists outside the system that is being monitored.
Dynamic View: This includes state transition diagrams and defines when things happen and the conditions under which they may happen.