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Past exam question: How can you use an entity relationship diagram to document business processes?

As far as I know, I would use an ERD to document the relationships between data entities when designing a database. I can't see how ERD's can be used for business processes as flow charts are more suited for this. I would really appreciate if someone could give an example of how this is done.

All the examples I've found online relating to ERD's are for databases and not business processes.

  • Thanks
Kirsten Jay
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  • This probably belongs on a different branch of stack exchange. – Sethmr Mar 31 '17 at 20:50
  • Thanks, I'm new to this site. I just realized I could have posted it to 'Database Administrators'. – Kirsten Jay Mar 31 '17 at 21:13
  • Welcome! I'm sorry if the community is ever harsh with you. We are sticklers for things being done in a correct manner! I hope you find your answer. – Sethmr Mar 31 '17 at 21:15

1 Answers1

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I wouldn't use a ER-Diagram to show the business processes. BPMN2.0 is a business process model notation with a wide variety of implementation on information technology. So process management can become a true beauty. If you want to take it further, it also allows Process Controlling in term of process roles, owners, editors, etc. There are a lot freeware designers available to fulfill your needs. I hope this answer helps you.

Regards

Allan
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  • Thank you! This is what I was telling my professor but he keeps saying ERD's are for business processes also. He couldn't give an example tho! – Kirsten Jay Mar 31 '17 at 21:08
  • @KirstenJay I agree with this answer. Data modeling is about organizing information/state. Processes are transitions between states, and orthogonal to the representation/structure of those states. – reaanb Apr 04 '17 at 09:19