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

2. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 2 Learning Objectives u Explain the key role of a systems analyst in business u Describe the various types of systems an analyst might work on u Explain the importance of technical, people, and business skills for an analyst u Explain why ethical behavior is crucial for a systems analyst’s career

3. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 3 Learning Objectives ( continued ) u Describe the many types of technology an analyst needs to understand u Describe various job titles and places of employment where analysis and design work is done u Discuss the analyst’s role in strategic planning for an organization u Describe the analyst’s role in a system development project

4. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 4 Overview u Information systems l Crucial to success of modern business organizations l Constantly being developed to make business more competitive l Impact productivity and profits u Keys to successful system development l Thorough systems analysis and design l Understanding what business requires

5. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 5 Overview ( continued ) 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

6. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 6 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

7. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 7 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

8. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 8 Systems That Solve Business Problems u System – interrelated components functioning together to achieve an outcome u Information systems – collection of interrelated components that collect, process, store, and provide as output information needed to complete tasks u Subsystem – part of a larger system u Supersystem – larger system that contains subsystems u Functional decomposition – dividing a system into smaller subsystems and components

9. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 9 Information Systems and Subsystems

10. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 10 Information Systems and Component Parts

11. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 11 System Boundary vs. Automation Boundary

12. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 12 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

13. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 13 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 u Communication support systems l Facilitate communication internally and with customers and suppliers u Office support systems l Help employees create and share documents

14. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 14 Types of Information Systems ( continued )

15. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 15 Required Skills of the Systems Analyst

16. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 16 Technical Knowledge and Skills u An analyst should have fundamental technology knowledge of l Computers / peripheral devices (hardware) l Communication networks and connectivity l Database and database management systems (DBMS) l Programming languages (for example, VB.NET or Java) l Operating systems and utilities

17. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 17 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

18. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 18 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

19. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 19 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)

20. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 20 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

21. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 21 Integrity and Ethics u Analyst has access to confidential information, such as salary, an organization’s planned projects, security systems, and so on. l Must keep information private l Any impropriety can ruin an analyst’s career l Analyst plans security in systems to protect confidential information

22. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 22 The Environment Surrounding the Analyst u Types of technology encountered l Desktop l Networked desktops l Client-server l Large-scale centralized mainframe l Internet, intranet, and extranet l Wireless, PDA/cell phones, mobile desktops

23. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 23 Use of Web Technology for Flexibility u Enterprise applications require flexible deployment environments l Anywhere, anytime access l For employees, partners, and customers u Best provided by Web-based technology l B2C: business to consumer l B2B: business to business

24. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 24 Typical Job Titles and Places of Employment u Job titles of systems analyst vary greatly, but entail same thing u Places of employment vary from small businesses to large corporations u Analysts can be internal employees or outside consultants u Analysts can be developing solutions for internal business managers or for external clients and customers

25. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 25 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)

26. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 26 Components of an information systems strategic plan

27. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 27 Rocky Mountain Outfitters (RMO) and Its Strategic Information Systems Plan u RMO sports clothing manufacturer and distributor about to begin customer support system project u Need to understand the nature of the business, approach to strategic planning, and objectives for customer support system u RMO system development project used to demonstrate analysis and design concepts u Reliable Pharmaceutical Service (RPS) is a second case study for classroom purposes

28. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 28 Introduction to Rocky Mountain Outfitters (RMO) Business u Began in Park City, Utah supplying winter sports clothes to local ski shops u Expanded into direct mail-order sales with small catalog—as catalog interest increased, opened retail store in Park City u Became large, regional sports clothing distributor by early 2000s in Rocky Mountain and Western states u Currently $150 million in annual sales and 600 employees and two retail stores u Mail-order revenue is $90 million; phone-order revenue is $50 million

29. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 29 Early RMO Catalog Cover (Fall 1978)

30. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 30 Current RMO Catalog Cover (Fall 2007)

31. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 31 RMO Strategic Issues u Innovative clothing distributor; featured products on Web site ahead of competitors u Original Web site functions l Enhance image, request copy of catalog, portal to outdoor sports Web sites u Enhanced Web site functions l Add specific product information, weekly specials, and all product offerings u Detailed IS strategic plan l Supply chain management l Customer relationship management

32. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 32 RMO’s Organizational Structure u Managed by original owners l John Blankens – President l Liz Blankens – Vice president of merchandising and distribution u William McDougal – Vice president of marketing and sales u JoAnn White – Vice president of finance and systems l Background in finance and accounting

33. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 33 RMO Locations

34. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 34 RMO Information Systems Department u Mac Preston – Assistant vice-president and chief information officer (CIO) l Recent promotion made after IS strategic plan created l CIO reports to finance and systems VP l CIO is increasingly important to future of RMO l Given its strategic importance, IS department will eventual report directly to the CEO

35. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 35 RMO Information Systems Department Staffing

36. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 36 Existing RMO Systems u Small mainframe-based system l Supports inventory, mail-order, accounting, and human resources l Has dedicated connectivity to distribution and mail-order sites u LANs and file servers l Supports central office functions, distribution centers, and manufacturing centers l Batch updates to mainframe

37. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 37 Existing RMO Systems ( continued ) u RMO informational Web site l Hosted by Internet service provider (ISP) u Merchandising/distribution system l Twelve-year-old mainframe COBOL/CICS, DB2, VSAM application u Mail order system l Fourteen-year-old mainframe COBOL application u Phone order system l Oracle and Visual Basic system built 6 years ago

38. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 38 Existing RMO Systems ( continued ) u Retail store systems l Eight-year-old point-of-sale and batch inventory package, overnight update with mainframe u Office systems l LAN with office software, Internet, e-mail u Human resources system l Thirteen-year-old mainframe-based payroll and benefits u Accounting/finance system l Mainframe package bought from leading vendor

39. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 39 The Information Systems Strategic Plan u Supports RMO strategic objectives l Build more direct customer relationships l Expand marketing beyond Western states u Plan calls for a series of information system development and integration projects over several years u Project launch: New customer support system to integrate phone orders, mail orders, and direct customer orders via Internet

40. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 40 RMO Technology Architecture Plan u Distribute business applications l Across multiple locations and systems l Reserve mainframe for Web server, database, and telecommunications u Strategic business processes via Internet l Supply chain management (SCM) l Direct customer ordering via dynamic Web site l Customer relationship management (CRM) u Web-based intranet for business functions

41. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 41 RMO Application Architecture Plan u Supply chain management (SCM) l Product development, product acquisition, manufacturing, inventory management u Customer support system (CSS) l Integrate order-processing and fulfillment system with SCM l Support customer orders (mail, phone, Web) u Strategic information management system l Extract and analyze SCM and CSS information for strategic and operational decision making and control

42. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 42 RMO Application Architecture Plan ( continued ) u Retail store system (RSS) l Replace existing retail store system with system integrated with CSS u Accounting/finance system l Purchase intranet application to maximize employee access to financial data for planning and control u Human resources (HR) system l Purchase intranet application to maximize employee access to human resources forms, procedures, and benefits information

43. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 43 Timetable for RMO Strategic Plan

44. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 44 The Customer Support System (CSS) u RMO core competency is their ability to develop and maintain customer loyalty u Supply chain management (SCM) must be defined before CSS can begin u CSS is a core system supporting customer relationship management u Systems analysis activities will define system requirements in detail u Strategic plan’s stated objectives will form guidelines as project proceeds

45. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 45 Analyst as a System Developer u Part 1: The systems analyst l Chapter 1: The world of the information systems analyst (this chapter) l Chapter 2: Approaches to system development u Predictive and adaptive SDLCs u Traditional approach u Object-oriented approach l Chapter 3: The analyst as a project manager

46. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 46 Analyst as a System Developer ( continued ) u Part 2: Systems analysis tasks l Chapter 4: Beginning the analysis: Investigating system requirements l Chapter 5: Modeling system requirements l Chapter 6: Traditional approach to requirements l Chapter 7: Object-oriented approach to requirements l Chapter 8: Evaluating alternatives for requirements, environment, and implementation

47. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 47 Analyst as a System Developer ( continued ) u Part 3: Systems design tasks l Chapter 9: Moving to design l Chapter 10: Traditional approach to design l Chapter 11: Object-oriented approach to design l Chapter 12: Designing databases l Chapter 13: Designing the user interface l Chapter 14: Designing system interfaces, controls, and security

48. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 48 Analyst as a System Developer ( continued ) u Part 4: Implementation and support l Chapter 15: Making the system operational l Chapter 16: Current trends in system development u Supplemental Online Chapters l Online Chapter 1: Advanced topics in OO design l Online Chapter 2: Software packages and ERP u Online Appendices: l Project management, finance, planning, interviewing

49. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 49 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

50. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 50 Summary ( continued ) u System – collection of interrelated components that function together to achieve some outcome u Information systems outcome – solution to a business problem u Information systems, subsystems, and components interact with and include hardware, software, inputs, outputs, data, people, and procedures

51. 1 Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition 51 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