Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, Fourth Edition

1. Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, Fourth Edition

2. Overview • Keys to successful system development • Thorough systems analysis and design • Understanding what business requires • Systems analysis – process of understanding in detail what a system should accomplish • Systems design – process of specifying in detail how components of an information system should be physically implemented • Systems analyst – uses analysis and design techniques to solve business problems using information technology Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition

3. The Analyst as a Business Problem Solver • Has computer technology knowledge and programming expertise • Understands business problems • Uses logical methods for solving problems • Has fundamental curiosity • Wants to make things better • Is more of a business problem solver than a technical programmer Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition

4. Analyst’s Approach to Problem Solving Research and understand the problem Verify benefits of solving problem outweigh the costs Define the requirements for solving the problem Develop a set of possible solutions (alternatives) Decide which solution is best and recommend Define the details of the chosen solution Implement the solution Monitor to ensure desired results Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition

5. Types of Information Systems • Transaction processing systems (TPS) • Capture and record information about organization’s transactions • Management information systems (MIS) • Take information captured by TPS • Produce reports for planning and control • Decision support / knowledge-based systems (DSS/KBS) • Explore impact of available options or decisions (what-if scenarios) • Automate routine decision making Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition

6. Figure 2-13 Types of Information Systems (continued) • Enterprise applications • Highly integrated systems that support company-wide operations and data • Often combine aspects of TPS, MIS, DSS/KBS Enterprise Application Architecture Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition

7. Technical Knowledge and Skills • An analyst should have fundamental technology knowledge of Computers / peripheral devices (hardware) • Communication networks and connectivity • Database and database management systems (DBMS) • Programming languages (for example, VB.NET or Java) • Operating systems and utilities Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition

8. Technical Knowledge and Skills (continued) • Analyst uses tools • Software productivity packages • Integrated development environments (IDEs) for programming languages • CASE tools, testing, documentation support, reverse engineering, configuration management • Analyst understands SDLC techniques • Project planning, systems analysis • Systems design, database design, network design • Construction, implementation, systems support Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition

9. Business Knowledge and Skills • Analyst must understand • Business functions performed by organization • Strategies, plans, traditions, and values of the organization • Organizational structure • Organization management techniques • Functional work processes • Systems analysts typically study business administration/management in college with a major in CIS or MIS Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition

10. People Knowledge and Skills • Systems analysts need to understand how people • Think • Learn • React to change • Communicate • Work (in a variety of jobs and levels) Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition

11. People Knowledge and Skills (continued) • Interpersonal and communication skills are crucial to • Obtaining information • Motivating people • Getting cooperation • Understanding the complexity and workings of an organization in order to provide necessary support Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition

12. The Analyst’s Role in Strategic Planning • Special projects affecting executives • Business process reengineering – radical improvements to existing processes • Strategic planning process • Information systems strategic planning • Application architecture plan (business focus) • Technology architecture plan (infrastructure focus) • Enterprise resource planning (ERP) Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition

13. Components of an information systems strategic plan Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition

14. Summary • A systems analyst solves business problems using information systems technology • Problem solving means looking into business problem in great detail, completely understanding problem, and choosing best solution • Information system development is much more than writing programs Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition

15. Summary (continued) • Systems analyst has broad knowledge and variety of skills, including technical, business, and people • Integrity and ethical behavior are crucial to success for the analyst • Systems analyst encounters a variety of rapidly changing technologies • Systems analyst works on strategic plans and then system development projects Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition