Data Flow Diagrams

Flow Charts - xkcd. Used under a CC BY-NC 2.5 license.


What

A data flow diagram (DFP) is a visual representation of the flow of data through a process or system. It provides an overview of incoming and outgoing data, as well as the processing and tools involved.

Why

A DFD is valuable because it provides an outline of your data processes. It allows you to see how these processes interact and identify opportunities for improvement. For example, it can provide the basis for developing your data pipeline.

When

It is recommended that you sketch a DPD while working on your DMP. Like the DMP, the DFD can be considered a living document. In DMPonline, you can export your DMP to docx and you can expand the document to include the DFD.

How

DFDs can be as simple as hand-drawn flowcharts on an A4 sheet of paper to elaborate flowcharts with different symbols and markers.

Tools

The following tools are suitable to create DFDs:

  • Microsoft Visio (available via the Self Service Portal, choose Applications -> Workplace applications -> Request/Aanvraag)

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

  • Mermaid, a diagramming & charting tool that can be used with:

Examples

Hear, Hear! #1

  • Researchers: Inge van der Valk (FSW), Rianne van Dijk (FSW), Charlotte Mol (REBO), Zoë Rejaän (FSW)
  • Privacy Officers: Joris de Graaf (REBO) & Jacqueline Tenkink (FSW)

Data Processing for Children & Parents in the Hear, Hear! Project

Hear, Hear! #2

  • Researchers: Inge van der Valk (FSW), Rianne van Dijk (FSW), Charlotte Mol (REBO), Zoë Rejaän (FSW)
  • Privacy Officers: Joris de Graaf (REBO) & Jacqueline Tenkink (FSW)

Data Processing for Professionals in the Hear, Hear! Project

YOUth Cohort Study

Zondergeld, J. J., Scholten, R. H. H., Vreede, B. M. I., Hessels, R. S., Pijl, A. G., Buizer-Voskamp, J. E., Rasch, M., Lange, O. A., & Veldkamp, C. L. S. (2020). FAIR, safe and high-quality data: The data infrastructure and accessibility of the YOUth cohort study. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 45, 100834. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcn.2020.100834

Overview of the infrastructure used in the YOUth Cohort Study, illustrating the systems involved and the flow of data between them

Smart-Youth

  • Researchers: Isabelle van der Linden (WKZ), Henk Schipper (WKZ), Sanne Nijhof (WKZ), Kors van der Ent (WKZ)
  • Data Manager: Neha Moopen (UBU)

Smart-Youth DFD

Prenatal Family Integrated Care (PFIC)

  • Researcher: Neeltje Crombag
  • Data Manager: Neha Moopen (UBU)

PFIC DFD

Resources