Systems and the Systems Analyst
Information is an organizational resource which must be managed as carefully asother resources. Costs are associated with information processing. It must bemanaged to take full advantage of its potential.A
system
is a combination of resources working together to transform inputs intousable outputs.An information system is an arrangement of people, data, processes, interfaces,networks, and technology that interact to support and improve both day-to-dayoperations (data processing, transaction processing), as well as support the problem-solving and decision-making needs of management (information services,management information systems, executive support).A computer application is a computer-based solution to one or more business problems or needs. One or more computer applications are typically containedwithin an information system.Systems Analysis and Design is a systematic approach to identifying problems,opportunities, and objectives; analyzing the information flows in organizations;and designing computerized information systems to solve a problem. SystemsAnalysts act as outside consultants to businesses, as supporting experts within a business, and as change agents. Analysts are problem solvers, and require goodcommunication skills.A
problem
is an undesirable situation that prevents the organization from fullyachieving its purpose, goals, and objectives. An
opportunity
is the chance toimprove the organization even in the absence of specific problems. (Some mightargue that any unexploited opportunity is, in reality, a problem.) A
directive
is anew requirement imposed by management, government, or some externalinfluence. (Some might argue that a directive until it is fully complied with is, inreality, a problem.)A systems analyst facilitates the development of information systems andcomputer applications. The systems analyst performs systems analysis and design.Systems analysis is the study of a business problem or need in order to recommendimprovements and specify the requirements for the solution. System design is thespecification or construction of a technical, computer-based solution as specified by the requirements identified in a systems analysis.Personal qualities helpful to systems analysts include:
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problem-solving abilities
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communication skills
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computer/IT experience
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self-discipline and self-motivation
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Project management capabilitiesThe systems development life cycle(SDLC) is a systematic approach to solving
business problems.Systems are enhanced for a number of reasons:
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adding features to the system
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business and government requirements change over time
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technology, hardware and software are rapidly changingCASEtools are automated, microcomputer-based (PC-based) software packagesfor systems analysis and design. Reasons to use CASE tools are:
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to increase analyst productivity
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to facilitate communication among analysts and users
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to provide continuity between life cycle phases
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to assess the impact of maintenanceUpper CASE (front-end CASE) tools are used to perform analysis and design.Lower CASE (back-end CASE) tools generate computer language source codefrom CASE design. The advantages of generating source code include:
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the time to develop new systems decreases
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the time to maintain generated code is less than to maintain traditionalsystems
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computer programs may be generated in more than one programminglanguage
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CASE design may be purchased from third-party vendors and tailored toorganizational needs
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generated code is free from programming coding errors
Analysis and design errors detected in the later phases of the systemsdevelopment life cycle (SDLC) cost more to fix than if detected in earlierphases.
Systems and Organizations
Information is an organizational resource which must be managed as carefully asother resources.Organizations are complex systems composed of interrelated and interdependentsubsystems. Organizational subsystems are said to be interrelated andinterdependent when a change in one subsystem affects other subsystems. Anorganizational boundary separates the system from its environment. System andsubsystem boundaries and environments impact on information system analysisand design.The three levels of management in organizations are:
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strategic management
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middle management
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operations managementEntity-Relationship diagramshelp the analyst understand the organizationalsystem. An E-R diagram is a graphical depiction of organizational system elementsand the association among the elements. An entity represents a person, place, or thing. An associative entity can only join two fundamental entities. An attributiveentity is used to represent an attribute of an entity, often a repeating group, andcannot exist without being linked to a fundamental entity.
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Systems and the Systems Analyst
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| Upload Date: | 07/07/2009 |
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