Integrating task and data flow analyses using the pentanalysis technique

Abstract

Pentanalysis is a new method that allows the integration of task analysis with data flow analysis. This is novel and desirable as it provides one means by which a human-computer interaction orientated method can provide input to the requirements specification stage of the software life cycle. It bridges the gulf that exists between this stage and one major representation, data flow diagrams, commonly used in the software design stage. The method is described and a worked example is provided to illustrate it.