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Keywords: Diagramming, Diagrams in UML, Information visualization

Diagramming

A diagram is a symbolic representation of information that has been around since ancient times from cave drawings to the enlightenment. As an individual, you are most likely familiar with diagrams since the terms is often collective and represents a whole genera of technical visuals such as graphs and tables. There are many types of diagrams, which are often categorized into three groupings:

Conceptual Diagrams

Also known as logical diagrams, these diagrams visualize the relationship and connections between items in a 2-D format. Familiar diagrams inlcude flowcharts or Venn diagrams.

Quantitative Diagrams

Quantitative diagrams display the relationship between two variables. Familiar diagrams include pie charts and bar graphs.

Schematic Diagrams

Schematic diagrams are perhaps the most visually complex, they represent the elements of a system through abstract rather than realistic elements. Familiar diagram includes a subway map with dots that represent stations.

While diagrams are often categorized into either conceptual, quantitative, or schematics grouping, diagrams may also be classified according to their purpose or use. Many of the types of diagrams that exist are commonly created through Unified Modeling Language (UML), which is a modeling language in the field of software engineering. There are many specific diagram types that are used when it comes to visualising information.

The most common and basic types of diagrams are communication diagrams, like the sequence diagrams - are a kind of interactive diagram that shows how objects interact. A communication diagram is an extension of the object diagram that illustrates objects and messages. In addition to the relationship among objects, communication diagrams shows the message the object send to each other.

Generic sample of a Communication Diagram source: Draw.io for Confluence

Of course, there are several diagramming software programs available to easily create diagrams without having to know modeling language. When working specifically within the Atlassian marketplace (Confluence or Jira) there is also the possibility to create and integrate diagrams using the draw.io app, a Seibert Media sponsored diagramming tool. You can build flowcharts, organizational charts, mindmaps, etc. from scratch or you can take advantage of preexisting templates. If you are using the draw.io app within Confluence or Jira, draw.io for Enterprises is an upgrade to the standard version of draw.io that provides additional compliance and support needs.

General Diagrams

Generic samples of diagrams source: Draw.io for Confluence

Business Diagrams

From Mental Models to the Value Proposition Canvas, diagrams are essential to provide a clear and unambiguous picture when it comes to communicating macro and micro details of a project or idea, this is especially true when it comes to business analysis. Since there are several kinds of processes, organizations, and functions within a business, there are a variety of visual models to map and analyze data.