Using UML to represent a "data flow"

[MikeGale]

I have an existing suite of applications that I am currently documenting using EA.  Some documentation is aimed at speeding ongoing development work.

UML is clearly a good way to do this.  I'd like the documentation to follow the intention of the UML design.  I'd appreciate pointers to work that covers situations close to mine.

SITUATION:
1)  Data flows through the programs getting transformed as it goes.
2)  The data is in various formats as it moves (flat file, RDBMS, XML within RDBMS, XML and XHTML probably covers it)
3)  The data is transformed by Code Objects (.NET assemblies), stored procedures (SQL Server) and XSLT Transforms.
4)  The data can be thought of as being in fairly coherent chunks.
5)  Other "data flows" change for example the way the code works over time.

INTENTION:
I want a diagram that quickly lets me see what touches the data flow.

Do you know of a similar situation?

[gregfrank]

I suggest an activity diagram using object flow. For some reason object flow is not widely talked about.

Recommend you get a copy of UML 2 for Dummies. Even tho EA doesn't do UML2, the book has lots of great advice on all sorts of modelling issues, and Chap 13 on Activity Modelling touches on your problem.

You might also consider looking at www.therationaledge.com for articles. Even tho they have a Rose bias some of the techinques articles are pretty good.