Description
Create an information flow/context diagram (i.e., information flow map [IFM]) showing what you think are the sources of information for OHHAB surveillance and who the senders/consumers (i.e., interested parties) are of the information flowing through the surveillance system and process. This is a higher-order diagram, but does show what information/data might flow between the various groups. This diagram is designed to amplify where data and information is flowing between interacting parties and start to understand how the information is used. It also gives you a starting point to find data/information that helps in accomplishing the outcomes/intent expected for the entire system. In this diagram, you will start to see who the interested parties are to be used for the second workflow diagram. Include a minimum of six base entities/interested parties/interactors in your context/information flow diagram. Use your imagination or do some exploratory reading to discover interested parties not obviously discussed in the documents who might be involved. For example, do you think anyone from an international organization may have something to do with this? Who is testing the water quality and algae growth? Normally, the perspective of an IFM revolves around a central interactor. In this case, start with the OHHAB system as the center of your IFM.
The IFM is used to see and scope interaction for the entire system and how information and data flows between the various interested parties. Normally, you would create a diagram like this at the beginning of a project to understand the public health process and where information is needed to flow. Then, the diagram would give you a basis for discussing systems that need to be put in place to meet a need or intent of the public health process. In this assignment, you are reverse engineering the diagram by looking at the system that was created to meet a need to practice creating your first IFM.
Create a workflow diagram to show how the data is pulled, derived or translated from and into the OHHABS system; the flow of the processing (like the analytics or the translation of the data); and what data would be consumed by the users of this system. Your swim lanes should be from two areas – the data sources and the consumers. The swim lanes run horizontal on the page and have one entity or interactor in each lane. Show the process of interacting between the entities from left to right as a process progresses in order and over time. Choose only one process that you discover is occurring in the use of the OHHABS system to create your workflow diagram. Include at least three interested parties interacting in the process you choose to diagram. As you look at all the interactions you have discovered in your IFM, you will be able to pick just one to depict in your workflow. An example might be to diagram the process of collecting water samples looking for HABs and explain the lab interaction with the collection through to the delivery of the results to the environmental and public health departments.
Typically, your interested parties are on the left with one in each swim lane. The progression of actions from the left to the right tends to follow the order that things are happening and generally across time.
Assignment tips
Read the materials on the system.
Remember that not all interactions have to be through a computer.
Create a list of who you think is involved – considering if there are interested parties outside of what you read.
List who and what is involved in the system.
Once you start to diagram this out, place arrows between your interested parties to indicate what information is flowing between them.
Tip: Place the OHHABS system in the center of your diagram as the main perspective for all interactions.
The information flow/context diagram should be high level and not show much process.
Remember to put arrows in the information flow/context diagrams showing the exchange of information.
You can also label an event or action that may take place on an arrow between parties if there is more to show than just information flow.
All interested parties can be exchanging data for various reasons and may not all flow through the OHHABS.
You will find that there are many workflows within the information flow diagram. For this assignment, you will pick only one process to diagram. An example process might be the collection of water specimens and their transport and processing at a lab, resulting in a message back to the local health department.
Assignment details:
Your diagrams must be cohesive and describe the same solution.
For your workflow diagram, have at least three interested parties.
You may use any diagramming tool you would like for this assignment, as long as you can submit a final PDF. Some tools: PowerPoint, Visio, LucidChart, Loopy.
Make sure your document is sized in such a way that I can easily see one diagram per page.
Include your name(s) in the document.
Submit your document as a PDF.
If you are working with a partner, save your file as LastName1_LastName2_Mod3Assign7. If you are working independently, save your file as LastName_Mod3Assign7.
100 Points
