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Diagram Patterns & Best Practices

Comprehensive guide to creating effective Mermaid diagrams for GISE methodology documentation. These patterns ensure consistency, clarity, and maintainability across all project diagrams.

Common Diagram Types​

System Architecture Diagrams​

Process Flow Diagrams​

Database Entity Relationships​

Sequence Diagrams for API Flows​

Deployment Architecture​

Diagram Best Practices​

1. Consistent Styling​

2. Clear Naming Conventions​

  • Services: Use PascalCase (UserService, PaymentGateway)
  • Databases: Use descriptive names with type (UserDB, Cache, FileStorage)
  • Processes: Use verb phrases (Validate Input, Process Payment)
  • States: Use present tense (Processing, Completed, Failed)

3. Appropriate Abstraction Levels​

Common Use Cases​

1. Requirements Documentation​

  • User Journey Maps: Show user interactions and decision points
  • Process Flows: Document current and future state processes
  • Stakeholder Maps: Identify key participants and relationships

2. Architecture Documentation​

  • System Context: High-level system boundaries and relationships
  • Component Diagrams: Internal system structure and dependencies
  • Deployment Views: Infrastructure and deployment topology

3. API Documentation​

  • Request/Response Flows: API interaction patterns
  • Authentication Flows: Security and authorization patterns
  • Error Handling: Exception and error recovery flows

4. Database Documentation​

  • Entity Relationships: Data model relationships and constraints
  • Data Flow: Information flow through system layers
  • Schema Evolution: Database migration and versioning

Integration with GISE Phases​

Discover Phase Diagrams​

  • Stakeholder Maps: Identify key project participants
  • Current State Processes: Document existing workflows
  • Problem/Solution Flows: Map current pain points to solutions

Design Phase Diagrams​

  • System Architecture: Overall system design and technology choices
  • Database Schema: Entity relationships and data flow
  • API Specifications: Service contracts and integration points

Develop Phase Diagrams​

  • Component Interactions: Detailed technical implementations
  • Testing Strategies: Test coverage and quality gates
  • Error Handling: Exception handling and recovery patterns

Deploy Phase Diagrams​

  • Deployment Architecture: Infrastructure and hosting topology
  • Monitoring Flows: Observability and alerting patterns
  • Operational Processes: Maintenance and support workflows

Tools and Automation​

Diagram Validation​

  • Use consistent naming conventions across all diagrams
  • Validate diagram syntax with automated checks
  • Ensure all referenced components are documented

Version Control​

  • Store diagrams as code in Git repositories
  • Include diagrams in code review processes
  • Document diagram changes in commit messages

Documentation Integration​

  • Embed diagrams directly in Markdown documentation
  • Generate diagrams from code comments where possible
  • Keep diagrams close to related code and documentation