This course, Models and modelling, looks at what a model is and what the process of modelling is about. The techniques discussed here are applicable to a wide range of systems and have one thing in common: they are all commonly used diagramming techniques. The five techniques are: data flow diagrams, use case modelling, activity diagrams, entityrelationship diagrams and state machines.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• Explain why modelling plays a key role in eliciting requirements
• Identify the different kinds of model used in eliciting requirements
• Explain the need for modelling languages
• Interpret a data flow diagram describing a simple process
• Interpret a use case diagram describing a system's response to a business event.