Data Driven Design is all about delivering excellent web based software, which does exactly what our customers need it to, at the least possible cost.
Traditional web based software design begins with writing a big, fat "functional spec", full of charts, graphs, schematics and statistics. The next step would typically involve creating "wireframes", which are fake web pages, to see what the final flow will look like. This would be followed by countless meetings and revisions to the "functional specs". And then, finally, some actual coding might begin.
Frankly, if you have a six figure budget, this is a fine, albeit wasteful, way to go. We have a better way.
Data Driven Design is different. We start with a simple diagramming technique to map the business processes your application will facilitate. Next, we use the "map" to create the database and then instead of wireframes, which will be discarded, we start creating the actual pages that will make up the application...simple, straight-forward and very cost effective.
Let's take a look at some of the attributes of the diagramming technique we use.
A Simple Diagramming Technique
Easy-to-understand business process diagramming technique
A simple diagramming method plots process flows against roles and stages to give you a visual model of your application’s workflow. Roles in these diagrams map to the roles used by ColdFusion for authorization, stages map to status values stored in the database records manipulated by processes on the diagram, and process flows map to application modules, so everything your diagram directly determines how your application will be built.
Drill down into your business processes
Data Driven Design decomposes processes into tasks that map directly to web pages and names those pages for the tasks they support to create a strong bond between your business processes and code. For example, the page to add a new contact is called ContactAddForm.cfm; the page to edit a contact is called ContactEditForm.cfm; the contact list page is named ContactListForm.cfm; the page to delete a contact: ContactDeleteForm. Intuitive, consistent naming helps everyone understand what is happening without the need to write a 50 page usage study.
Enforces workflow integrity
Integrity directives ensure both data and workflow integrity throughout your application. Directives use the status values stored in database records to ensure that workflow rules are enforced, and directives may be placed in the application layer using CFML or in the database layer using trigger logic. You can further leverage status values to create a simple consolidated task center for each user who logs in, where all that user's tasks appear in a clickable list.
See the whole forest, not just the trees
Unlike wireframes, click-throughs, and HTML page prototypes that concentrate just on screens, Data Driven Design creates a complete map of the entire workflow of each process your application supports. This map (business process diagram) shows you precisely how a user arrives at a task, which users can accomplish each task, and the various dependent outcomes of each task. And unlike complicated diagramming techniques like UML, this is simple and straightforward. You will understand exactly what's going on.
From a Diagram to a Database
Your completed diagram evolves directly into your database.
Once your diagram is complete, we use this to create the database. First we create all the tables, using the same intuitive naming convention we use for everything else. For example, the table that holds appointment information will be called the appointment table. We then create all the fields each table needs. Additionally, we also set all the requirement attributes for each field (for example, is the field, AppointmentDate, required to create a new appointment?) and finally, we establish all the relationships between the different tables. Once this is complete, we are more than half way finished.
From Database To Finished Forms
Once the database is complete, the forms almost create themselves.
Once your database is complete, creating the various forms is simply a matter of following the logic dictated by the various tables in your database and the relationships between them. Creating basic add, edit, delete, list and search pages is a straight-forward, almost easy exercise. Even the creation of sophisticated master-detail page sets are simply a matter of reproducing what is already in the database.
Whether your application is a simple one, needing a dozen table database, or an exceedingly complex application with a hundred tables and multiple interrelated modules, once the database is complete, the logic for your application is in place, all that is left is creating the user interface and applying the security system.
Waste Not, Want Not...Save Time and Money
Never throw away another prototype
Unlike other methodologies, Data Driven Design achieves 100% utilization of your prototypes because they evolve directly into finished pages. Instead of creating a static HTML page prototype that does nothing, our prototypes are the actual code you will deploy. Not only does this save a ton of money, but there really is no way to tell if a set of forms will do what is required until you actually create them.
Work in Parallel
Data Driven Design also provides for parallel development. As soon as the first form is created, all of the consumer facing pages are created as well. These pages are blank, of course, but using the built-in content management system (you will learn more about this on the page titled "Application Features) you will be able to start creating the basic theme and written content (essentially, creating the skeleton of the "story" you want to convey to your first time site visitors) for the consumer side of your site. Meanwhile, we are developing the "back end" application. Once you finish, your basic theme and written content can be handed over to professional designers and writers to put the finishing touches on. Not only does this technique save time, it also saves a TON of money.
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Telephone: 410-215-7356