Information flow diagram

An information flow diagram (IFD) is a diagram that shows how information is communicated (or "flows") from a source to a receiver or target (e.g. A→C), through some medium.^[1]^: 36–39 The medium acts as a bridge, a means of transmitting the information. Examples of media include word of mouth, radio, email, etc. The concept of IFD was initially used in radio transmission.^[2] The diagrammed system may also include feedback, a reply or response to the signal that was given out. The return paths can be two-way or bi-directional: information can flow back and forth.^[2]

An IFD can be used to model the information flow throughout an organisation. An IFD shows the relationship between internal information flows within an organisation and external information flows between organisations. It also shows the relationship between the internal departments and sub-systems.

An IFD usually uses "blobs" to decompose the system and sub-systems into elemental parts.^[2] Lines then indicate how the information travels from one system to another. IFDs are used in businesses, government agencies, television and cinematic processes.^{[citation needed]}

IFDs are often confused with data flow diagrams (DFDs). IFDs show information as sources, destination and flows. DFDs show processes where inputs are transformed into outputs. Databases are also present in DFDs to show where data is held within the systems. In DFDs information destinations are called "sinks".^[3]^: 180

^ Wintraecken, J. J. V. R. (1990) [1987]. The NIAM information analysis method: theory and practice. Translation of: Informatie-analyse volgens NIAM. Dordrecht; Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers. doi:10.1007/978-94-009-0451-4. ISBN 079230263X. OCLC 19554537. S2CID 30209824.
^ ^a ^b ^c Schade, Martha Begley. "Information flow diagram guidelines". business-online-learning.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-23. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
^ Bocij, Paul; Chaffey, Dave (2003). "Systems analysis" (PDF). Business information systems: technology, development, and management for the e-business (2nd ed.). Harlow, UK; New York: FT/Prentice Hall. pp. 171–189. ISBN 027365540X. OCLC 49383949. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2015-10-31.

[Wintraecken-1] Wintraecken, J. J. V. R. (1990) [1987]. The NIAM information analysis method: theory and practice. Translation of: Informatie-analyse volgens NIAM. Dordrecht; Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers. doi:10.1007/978-94-009-0451-4. ISBN 079230263X. OCLC 19554537. S2CID 30209824.

[Schade-2] Schade, Martha Begley. "Information flow diagram guidelines". business-online-learning.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-23. Retrieved 2016-03-20.

[Bocij-3] Bocij, Paul; Chaffey, Dave (2003). "Systems analysis" (PDF). Business information systems: technology, development, and management for the e-business (2nd ed.). Harlow, UK; New York: FT/Prentice Hall. pp. 171–189. ISBN 027365540X. OCLC 49383949. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2015-10-31.

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