Functional Flow Block Diagram (FFBD)

Functional Flow Block Diagram (FFBD) is a graphical representation used in systems engineering, project management, and other disciplines to illustrate the functional decomposition and sequence of operations within a complex system, process, or project. FFBDs provide a clear visual representation of the system's functions and the relationships between them, facilitating better understanding and communication among team members.

Components of an FFBD:

1. Functional Blocks: These are rectangular boxes representing specific functions or operations within the system. Each block is labeled with a brief description of the represented function.
2. Inputs and Outputs: Arrows indicate the flow of information, resources, or materials between functional blocks, representing dependencies and relationships between the system's components.
3. Hierarchical Structure: The FFBD is organized hierarchically, with higher-level functions decomposed into smaller, more manageable sub-functions, providing a clear representation of the system's complexity and relationships between components.

Creating an FFBD involves the following steps:

1. Define the primary function or objective of the system, process, or project.
2. Decompose the primary function into smaller, more manageable sub-functions or tasks, each with a clear purpose.
3. Represent each sub-function as a functional block in the diagram, labeling it with a brief description of the function.
4. Use arrows to indicate the flow of inputs and outputs between functional blocks, illustrating the sequence of operations and relationships between components.
5. Review and refine the FFBD as needed to improve clarity, accuracy, or completeness.

Importance of FFBDs:

1. Simplify complex systems or processes by visually breaking them down into smaller, more manageable components.
2. Facilitate better understanding, communication, and collaboration among team members by providing a clear representation of the system's functional decomposition.
3. Aid in identifying dependencies and relationships between components, informing the design, development, and management of the system.

Example: Consider a team working on a project to develop a new satellite navigation system. The primary function of the system is to provide accurate positioning and navigation information. The team would use an FFBD to break down this primary function into smaller sub-functions, such as receiving signals from satellites, processing the signals, calculating the user's position, and displaying navigation information.

Each sub-function would be represented as a functional block in the diagram, and arrows would be used to indicate the flow of inputs and outputs between the blocks. This visual representation would help the team understand the overall structure and functionality of the satellite navigation system, as well as the relationships between its various components.

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