1. What is System Analysis?  What is System Analysis?  A Formal Definition:  Systems analysis is the dissection of a system into its component pieces for purposes of studying how those component pieces interact and work.  Systems analysis is done for the purpose of subsequently performing a systems synthesis.  Systems synthesis is the re-assembly of a system’s component pieces back into a whole system – hopefully an improved system.

3. Systems Analysis Activities  Survey problems, opportunities, and directives  The purpose of this activity is to quickly survey and evaluate each identified problem, opportunity, and directive with respect to urgency, visibility, tangible benefits, and priority.  Negotiate project scope  The purpose of this activity is to define the boundary of the system and project. The boundary should be defined as precisely as possible to minimize the impact of ‘creeping scope’.  Plan the project

5. Survey Phase

7. Systems Analysis Activities  Study the current system  Model the Current System  Purpose:  The purpose of this activity is to learn enough about the current system’s data, processes, interfaces, and geography to expand the understanding of scope, and to establish a common working vocabulary for that scope. Draw system models. –The recommended sequence of models is (1) INTERFACE, (2) DATA, (3) PROCESS, and (4) GEOGRAPHY. Verify the system models. –The goal is to reach consensus agreement on ‘what’ the current system is all about.

8.  Analyze business processes  Analyze problems and opportunities  The purpose of this activity is to: (1) understand the underlying causes and effects of all perceived problems and opportunities, and (2) understand the effects and potential side effects of all perceived opportunities.  Establish system improvement objectives and constraints Systems Analysis Activities

9. Copyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 1998 9 Systems Analysis Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed by J. L. Whitten & L. D. Bentley  Modify project scope  Outline business system requirements  The purpose of this activity is to identify, in general terms, the business requirements for a new or improved information system. A classic input-process-output framework should prove sufficient to structure the activity

11. Study Phase