System Context Diagram - Overview

Overview

System Context Diagrams are diagrams used in systems design to represent the more important external factors that interact with the system at hand. This type of diagram according to Kossiakoff (2003) usually "pictures the system at the center, with no details of its interior structure, surrounded by all its interacting systems, environment and activities. The objective of a system context diagram is to focus attention on external factors and events that should be considered in developing a complete set of system requirements and constraints".

System context diagrams are related to UML, and show the interactions between a system and other actors with which the system is designed to interface. System context diagrams can be helpful in understanding the context which the system will be part of.

Context diagrams are used early in a project to get agreement on the scope under investigation. Context diagrams are typically included in a requirements document. These diagrams must be read by all project stakeholders and thus should be written in plain language, so the stakeholders can understand items within the document.