System Context Diagram (SCD)

What is a System Context Diagram (SCD)?

A System Context Diagram (SCD) is a high-level diagram that shows the relationships between a system and its external entities, such as other systems, users, and the environment. It is a useful tool for understanding the context in which a system operates and for identifying the external factors that may influence or be influenced by the system.

An SCD is typically drawn at a high level of abstraction and shows the system as a single box, surrounded by other boxes representing the external entities. Arrows are used to show the relationships between the system and the external entities, and may indicate data flow, control flow, or other types of interactions.

The purpose of an SCD is to provide a broad overview of a system and its surroundings, and to help identify the key stakeholders and external factors that may affect the system. It is often used as a starting point for more detailed system modeling and design.

Here is an example of a simple SCD:

[Diagram of a simple SCD showing a system (online store) interacting with external entities such as customers, suppliers, and a payment gateway]

In this example, the online store system is shown interacting with external entities such as customers, suppliers, and a payment gateway. The SCD helps to illustrate the relationships between the system and these external entities and the flow of data and control between them.

See Also

• IT Strategy (Information Technology Strategy)
• IT Governance
• Enterprise Architecture
• Chief Information Officer (CIO)
• IT Sourcing (Information Technology Sourcing)
• IT Operations (Information Technology Operations)
• E-Strategy