The World of the Modern Systems Analyst Week 1 CMIS 570

Tonight Introductions Overview of class Roles and Skills of the SA Types of systems Handout Case

First, some definitions Systems Development Specifying in detail how the many components of the information system should be physically implemented. Systems Analysis: Understanding and specifying in detail what the information system should do. Systems Design: Describing the analyzed system independent of any computer platform. This may include the design of screen shots, reports, and web sites.

More definitions Systems Analyst: The organizational role most responsible for the analysis and design of information systems. Application Software: Computer software designed to support organizational functions or processes. The analysis and design of which we will be covering in this course.

Bottom line … What is the job of the systems analyst?

Roles in Systems Analysis & Design IS managers Programmers End Users Business Managers System Liaison Systems Analysts

5 Skills for Systems Analysts Analytical Skills / Problem Solver Technical Skills Interpersonal Skills Business Skills Managerial Skills

Analytical Skills 9 Characteristics of a system

9 characteristics continued

The University as a system

More about Systems Benefits of System thinking Applying system thinking to Information Systems

Technical Skills General Skills Tools Techniques

Technical Skills How do you get?

People Skills Working alone and with a team Communication skills Interviewing, listening, and questionnaires Written and oral presentations Managing expectations

Business Skills Systems analysts have broader skills than computer scientists. What you need to know about your organization:

Business Skills Problem Identification Problem Analyzing and Solving

Managerial Skills Resource management Project management Risk management Change management

Types of Systems Operational Control Management Planning/Control Strategic Planning

Transaction Processing Systems (TPS) Computer-based versions of manual organization systems dedicated to handling the organization’s transactions. Oldest systems, bread & butter of organizations, started in accounting Operational level: payroll, compensation, plant scheduling, order tracking Outputs: detailed reports, lists, summaries

Management Information Systems (MIS) Computer based systems designed to provide standard reports for managers about transaction data. Management level systems: annual budgeting, capital investment analysis, relocation analysis, inventory control, sales region analyses Outputs: Summary and exception reports

Executive Information Systems (EIS) Computer based systems developed to support the information-intensive but limited- time decision making of executives. Strategic level systems: profit planning, manpower planning, 5-year budget forecasting, 5-year sales forecasting Outputs: projections, responses to queries

Decision Support Systems (DSS) Computer-based systems designed to help organization members make decisions. Management level-Strategic level: Systems similar to MIS and ESS Outputs: special reports, decision analyses, responses to queries GDSS: type of DSS to support groups

Expert Systems Computer based systems designed to mimic the performance of human experts. All levels from operational to strategic potential.

Others Geographic Information Systems Used to track geographic information Communication support systems Used to facilitate communication between employees, customers, suppliers Office support systems Used to facilitate sharing of business documents

With a Master’s degree Your role in strategic planning Special projects with executives Business process reengineering

For Next Week: Read chapter 2 (and chapter 1 if you haven’t already) Select project/application that you will work on for remainder of semester.