How Organisations Use Different Forms of Notation
How Organisations Use Different Forms of Notation
No single diagram type communicates everything about a system. Some show a broad overview; others provide precise detail about logic, data, or physical components. In practice, organisations combine multiple forms of notation so that both technical and non-technical audiences can understand what a system does and how it works.
Written Information
Written information — sentences and paragraphs — provides the context, reasoning, and justification that diagrams alone cannot convey. It is the most flexible form of notation and requires no specialist knowledge to read.
Key characteristics:
- Can be tailored for different audiences — simplified for non-technical readers, or technically detailed where needed
- Most effective when used alongside diagrams to clarify content and explain design decisions
- Commonly used to justify why a particular approach, data store, or security measure was chosen
An example of written information would be a brief explanation accompanying a system diagram that justifies why data is encrypted at a particular point in the process, or why a specific server configuration was chosen.
A limitation of written information is that it is often harder to follow for complex systems when used alone — readers must build a mental picture of something that a diagram would communicate instantly.
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