Dialog Analysis

Objectives

The flow of information and processes within a system requires dialog flow control. The dialog flow diagram depicts sequence and flow of batch job steps. It performs a similar function for on-line procedures and screens. Depending on the level of change between the current and target architecture, analysis of current event sequences may assist in determining target application dialog flows.

Specific objectives include:

· Assessing current event flows for existing system(s) by depicting those flows in a formal dialog flow format

· Developing target dialog flow diagrams for the target system based on strategic requirements and existing dialog flow analysis

Entrance Criteria

The entrance criteria for the dialog analysis task are listed below.

· Completion of the environmental analysis for systems entering this task

· Completion of general system architecture analysis DFD flows for systems entering this task

· Completion of the functional assessment, function hierarchy analysis

· Completion of the functional assessment, function dependency analysis

· Completion of process hierarchy/dependency analysis for current/target systems - as dictated by scenario

· Completion of system structure analysis - as dictated by scenario

· Population of LTM repository model as completed in entrance criteria tasks

Roles/Skills

The personnel and skill requirements necessary to meet the dialog analysis task objectives are identified below.

· Redevelopment Expert

- Ability to determine best mix of top-down/bottom-up analysis and how to integrate these techniques

- Rudimentary ability to access LTM repository

· Function Modeling Expert

- Expertise in capturing and modeling bottom-up and top-down dialog flow diagrams

· Current Systems Expert

- Knowledge of existing system source environment

- Knowledge of the functionality of current system

· Target System Functional Expert

- Knowledge of target functional requirements

Input Requirements

The system components and related inputs required to initiate and complete the dialog analysis task are listed below.

· The following environmental analysis results produced during architecture analysis:

- JCL, Proc, Step to Executable Program

- Calling Program to subordinate Called Program(s)

- Executable On-line Program to Screen Macro Definition

- Screen to Program(s)

- Program to Screen(s)

· System flow analysis (DFD) produced in general system architecture analysis for each system entering task

· System/sub-system interface flow (DFD) produced in general system architecture analysis for system aggregate

· System structure charts produced in system structure chart analysis task

· Process hierarchy and process dependency analysis models for each system entering task

· Transformation process mapping Form 031 for each system entering task

· Legacy transition meta-model (LTM) populated with system components and relationships from prior tasks

Tool/Technology Support

Technologies supporting the dialog analysis task include data flow diagramming, I-CASE modeling, open systems repository and word processing tools. These tools are used to represent information as required by this task.

Data flow diagramming tool

The data flow diagramming (DFD) tool is used to update current system information flows. This may be done manually or with a drawing tool, but DFD tools allow models to be modified easily.

· Chart system flows at the program file level

· Chart information flows to/from interface systems

I-CASE Modeling Tools

Technology support for this step requires the I-CASE tool set that was applied in prior tasks of the Transformation stage. Features include:

· Analysis workstation: ability to specify bottom-up and top-down system structure charts in diagramming tool

· Analysis workstation: ability to utilize process model data loaded, by prior steps, into integrated tool encyclopedia

Open systems repository

A repository provides an important, yet optional, capability to link business areas, systems and components using the legacy transition meta-model. In this task, the repository is used to trace relationships between data stores and executables as input to the diagramming process.

Word processor

In this task, the word processor is used to summarize dialog flow analysis results.

Task Steps

The dialog analysis task is comprise of the following task steps:

	Assess Current System Dialog Flows
	Perform Dialog Gap Analysis
	Create Target Dialog Flow Diagrams