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

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

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

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

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

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

1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 7 Types of Information Systems ( continued )

1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 8 Technical Knowledge and Skills u An analyst should have fundamental technology knowledge of Computers / peripheral devices (hardware) u Communication networks and connectivity u Database and database management systems (DBMS) u Programming languages (for example, VB.NET or Java) u Operating systems and utilities

1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 9 Technical Knowledge and Skills (continued) u Analyst uses tools l Software productivity packages l Integrated development environments (IDEs) for programming languages l CASE tools, testing, documentation support, reverse engineering, configuration management u Analyst understands SDLC techniques l Project planning, systems analysis l Systems design, database design, network design l Construction, implementation, systems support

1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 10 Business Knowledge and Skills u Analyst must understand l Business functions performed by organization l Strategies, plans, traditions, and values of the organization l Organizational structure l Organization management techniques l Functional work processes u Systems analysts typically study business administration/management in college with a major in CIS or MIS

1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 11 People Knowledge and Skills u Systems analysts need to understand how people l Think l Learn l React to change l Communicate l Work (in a variety of jobs and levels)

1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 12 People Knowledge and Skills ( continued ) u Interpersonal and communication skills are crucial to l Obtaining information l Motivating people l Getting cooperation l Understanding the complexity and workings of an organization in order to provide necessary support

1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 13 The Analyst’s Role in Strategic Planning u Special projects affecting executives l Business process reengineering – radical improvements to existing processes u Strategic planning process u Information systems strategic planning l Application architecture plan (business focus) l Technology architecture plan (infrastructure focus) u Enterprise resource planning (ERP)

1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 14 Components of an information systems strategic plan

1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 15 Summary u A systems analyst solves business problems using information systems technology u Problem solving means looking into business problem in great detail, completely understanding problem, and choosing best solution u Information system development is much more than writing programs

1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 16 Summary ( continued ) u Systems analyst has broad knowledge and variety of skills, including technical, business, and people u Integrity and ethical behavior are crucial to success for the analyst u Systems analyst encounters a variety of rapidly changing technologies u Systems analyst works on strategic plans and then system development projects