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Functional Model

A functional model is a type of model used in systems engineering, software engineering, and other disciplines to represent the functional structure, processes, and interactions of a system, project, or process. It focuses on the "what" rather than the "how" by illustrating the system's functionalities, the flow of data or resources, and the relationships between components, without specifying the technical implementation details. Functional models provide a high-level view of the system's behavior, helping stakeholders understand its purpose, organization, and operational logic.

Types of functional models: Functional models can take various forms, including but not limited to:

  1. Data Flow Diagram (DFD: A graphical representation of the flow of data through a system, illustrating the processes, data stores, and external entities involved. DFDs focus on how data is processed, stored, and transmitted within a system.
  2. Functional Flow Block Diagram (FFBD): A graphical representation of 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.
  3. Functional Hierarchy Diagram (FHD): A visual representation that depicts the hierarchical organization of functions within a complex system, process, or project. FHDs help in understanding the structure of the system, the relationships between its components, and the levels of abstraction involved in decomposing a complex system into smaller, more manageable components.
  4. IDEF0 (Integration DeFinition for Function Modeling): A method used to model the functions of a system, creating a structured representation of the system's functional components and their relationships.


Purpose: The primary purpose of a functional model is to provide a clear and concise representation of a system's functionality, structure, and behavior, without specifying technical implementation details. Functional models:

  1. Facilitate communication and collaboration among stakeholders by providing a high-level view of the system's behavior and organization.
  2. Aid in understanding the system's purpose, operational logic, and the relationships between its components.
  3. Serve as a foundation for further analysis, design, and development of the system, helping to identify requirements, constraints, and potential improvements.

Creating a functional model typically involves:

  1. Identifying the primary function or objective of the system, process, or project.
  2. Decomposing the primary function into smaller, more manageable sub-functions or tasks, each with a clear purpose.
  3. Representing the sub-functions, processes, and interactions graphically, using an appropriate modeling technique (e.g., DFD, FFBD, FHD, IDEF0).
  4. Reviewing and refining the model as needed to ensure clarity, accuracy, and completeness.

Example: Consider a team working on a project to develop a new customer relationship management (CRM) software. The primary function of the software is to manage interactions with customers, track sales leads, and analyze customer data. The team could create a functional model, such as a Data Flow Diagram, to represent the flow of data between various processes, such as capturing customer information, logging interactions, generating sales reports, and analyzing customer data. This functional model would help the team understand the overall structure and behavior of the CRM software and serve as a foundation for further analysis, design, and development.


See Also

  1. Functional Decomposition
  2. Business Process Model
  3. Use Case Diagram
  4. Entity Relationship Model
  5. Functional Specification
  6. Systems Architecture
  7. Behavioral Model
  8. Functional Programming
  9. Object Oriented Modeling (OOM)






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