Data Flow Diagram is best described as

• A. A graphical description of the flow of data within an organization, including data sources/destinations, data flows, transformation processes, and data storage
• B. A model showing the interactions between software modules
• C. A chart listing data standards
• D. A diagram of clinical workflows

Answer: (A)

A data flow diagram visualizes how data moves through an organization, showing where data comes from and goes to, how it is transformed, and where it is stored. This description captures everything a DFD is meant to depict: data sources and destinations, the flows between processes, the transformation steps, and the data storage points. It’s different from diagrams that focus on software structure (how modules interact), data standards lists (the rules for data formats), or clinical workflows (the sequence of care steps). For example, a DFD might trace patient intake data as it enters the system, moves through validation, gets stored in a database, and becomes available for reporting.