Course Contents

- Course Objectives and Contents

- Introduction to Information Systems,
- Systems Development Lifecycle,
- Systems Development Underlying Principles,
- Systems Analysis Phases –Overview,
- Systems Analysis Phases-Survey,
- System Analysis – Fact Finding Techniques,
- Systems Analysis Phases-Study,
- Systems Modeling,
- Systems Analysis Phases-Definition,
 Contents
1. General
2. Definition of a System
3. Historical Background
4. Information Systems, IS:
A. Definition
B. Some Related Definitions
C. IS Components
D. Information System (IS) Development Approaches
E. IS Types
5. Need for System Analysis and Design
6. Roles of the System Analyst
A. What is a System Analyst
B. System Analyst Responsibilities
C. Characteristics of Successful System Analyst
D. Conclusions
 1. General
• In an existing business, if there exists some bottlenecks, there should exist
some treatment actions to be done to the existing system.
• In an existing business, if the owner requests some evolutions, there
should exist some treatment actions to be done to the existing system.
• For the foundation of a new business, there should be some preparation
of business workflow, work discipline, business organization, and
responsibilities settlements.
• System analysis and design methods are used to develop information
system and computer applications for various organizations as well as to
build business systems.
Procedures
Normally, we can have Work Flows
Disciplines
Work organization
Existing system New system Responsibilities
Documentation
Has to That Standardization
solve needs
Bottleneck Evolution Foundation
 2. Definition of a System
A system is an active entity, consisting of a set of interrelated components,
referred to as subsystems, fulfilling the following characteristics:
• A group of interrelated components, called also subsystems.
• Having a purpose, an objective, or an aim to fulfill.
• Working under a set of constraints.
• Having a boundary or activity.
• Interacting with a specific environment.
• Receive an inputs.
• Result in an outputs.
• Subsystems communicate with each other through a set of interfaces.
Interfaces represent the data communicated between subsystems through
which a lot of services can be fulfilled.
Because interface functions are critical in communication between system
components or a system and its environment, interfaces receive much attention
in the design of IS.
System can be manual or automated system.
 2. Definition of a System (Cont.)
purpose, objective, or aim:
- Profit …. ‫ربح مادي‬
- Educational ….. ‫اعداد اجيال تواكب سوق العمل‬ Boundary: ‫النشاط‬
- Political ….. ‫ المشاركه السياسة‬/ ‫ترسيخ الديمقراطيه‬ - Business …. ).../‫مؤسسات‬/ ‫نشاط تجاري (شركات‬
- Social …… )... ‫اجتماعي (دعم الطبقات االكثر احتياجا‬ - Educational ….. ‫نشاط تعليمي (جامعات‬
-… ).../‫معاهد‬/
Has Boundary
- Political ….. )... ‫نشاط سياسي (احزاب‬
or Activity
Has Purpose or aim - Social …… )...‫اجتماعي (جمعيات خيرية‬
Fulfills some -…
objectives
Working under a
Component set of Constraints
Or
Subsystem
Component Component
Or Or
Subsystem Subsystem
Interfaces
Inputs Outputs
Component Component
Or Or
Subsystem Subsystem Environment,
Component External entities
Or ‫الكيانات الخارجية التي‬
Subsystem System ‫يتعامل معها النظام‬
Environment
 2. Definition of a System (Cont.)

Example:
• Electrical or mechanical instruments

Business
• Business organizations organizations
Chart

• Educational organizations Ain Shams Al-Shourouk

University Academy

• Social organizations

• …
 2. Definition of a System (Cont.)

Has Boundary
or Activity
Has Purpose or aim Converts radio Working under a
Communicates signals into set of Constraints
radio signals sound Signal Power,
Power Supply, …

Radio Radio …
Receiver Sound
Signal Radio
Speaker Outputs
Inputs Frequency
Amplifier DC
Power
Supply
System

Environment, External
Entities: People, power
supply, …
 2. Definition of a System (Cont.)
Boundary: Business
Environment, activity, Food
External entities: purpose, objective, or aim: Restaurant
Food Supplying Commercial, Profit …. ‫ربح مادي‬
Company, Clients, … Constraints: Price
list, regulations, …

Storage Office

Dining
Food, Kitchen Room Food,
Labor, Inputs Outputs Labor,
Cash, Cash,
… …
Counter

Relationships/Interfaces
A Burger Restaurant
2. Definition of a System (Cont.)

Dean
 2. Definition of a System (Cont.)
- A system, as shown in the above figure, has nine characteristics, they
are:
 Components (subsystems): An irreducible part or components that make up a
system, also called a subsystems.
 Interrelated components: Dependency of one subsystem on other subsystems.
 Environment: Everything external to a system that interacts with the system.
 Input: Whatever a system takes from its environment in order to fulfill its purpose.
 Output: Whatever a system returns to its environment in order to fulfill its purpose.
 Constraints: the limits to how system can accomplish.
 Boundary: The line that distinguish between the inside and outside of a system and
that set off the system from its environment.
 Purpose: The overall goal or function of a system.
 Interfaces: It is the point of contact where a system meets its environment or where
subsystems meet each other.
 2. Definition of a System (Cont.)
Interfaces: It is the point of contact where a system meets its environment or
where subsystems meet each other. Because an interface exists at the point
where a system meets its environment, the interface has several special,
important functions. An interface provides:

- Security, protecting the system from undesirable elements that may want to infiltrate
it.
- Filtering, unwanted data, both for elements leaving the system and entering it.
- Coding and decoding incoming and outgoing messages.
- detecting and correcting errors in its interaction with the environment.
- Buffering, providing a layer of slack ‫ تثاقل‬between the system and its environment,
so that the system and its environment can work on different cycles and at different
speeds.
- Summarizing raw data and transforming them into the level of detail and format
needed throughout the system (for an input interface) or in the environment (for an
output interface).
 2. Definition of a System (Cont.)
- System concepts that system’s analyst should familiar with, they are:
 Decomposition: it is the breakdown of a system into its components (subsystems).
It results in a smaller and less complex pieces that are easier to understand and
manage. Decomposition aids a system analyst and other systems development
project team members by:
o Breaking the system into smaller, more manageable, and understandable
subsystems.
o Facilitating the focusing of attention on one area (subsystem) at a time without
interference from other parts.
o Allowing attention to concentrate on the part of the system pertinent to particular
audience, without confusing people with details irrelevant to their interests.
o permitting different parts of the system to be built at independent times and/or
by different people.

 Modularity: It is the dividing of the system up into chunks ‫ قطع‬or modules of a

relatively uniform size. It makes the system easier to redesign and rebuild. It is a
direct result of decomposition.
 .
 2. Definition of a System (Cont.)
 Coupling: The extent to which subsystems depend on each other.

 Cohesion: The extent to which a system or a subsystem performs a single

function.

 Logical system description: It portrays ‫ يصف‬- ‫ يصور‬the purpose and function of

the system without tying ‫ ربط‬the description to any specific physical implementation.
In other words, It is the description of a system that focuses on the system’s function
and purpose without regard to how the system will physically implemented.

 Physical system description: It is the description of a system that focuses on

how the system will be materially constructed.
 3. Historical Background

The key to successful system development is the understanding of the

business and the way it function
 Historically, in 1950, the main characteristics are:
 Main frame only were available
 HW was very expensive
 SW was developed in machine language
 Automation was done for a single departments
 SW applications were developed from scratch
 3. Historical Background
In 1960, the main characteristics are:
 The beginning of the SW industry
 Minicomputers besides main frame were available
 HW was still expensive
 SW applications were developed from scratch
In 1970, the main characteristics are:
 Early DBMS appeared using hierarchical and network models
 System development came to be more disciplined efforts
 3. Historical Background
In 1980, the main characteristics are:
 Microcomputers appeared as a key organizational tool
 SW industry lead to generation of the Off-the–shelf SW
 More applications were developed by developers
 OS moved away from line prompt to windows environment
 Computers gets faster, smaller, and cheaper
 CASE tool appeared to make system developers work easier and
more consistent
 3. Historical Background
In 1990, the main characteristics are:
Visual programming, relational DBMS and Object-Oriented concepts
appeared
 Client/Server platforms architecture appeared
 System integration to ready-made products were the main effort for
enterprise when building their systems
 Methodologies, techniques, and tools were used for system
development
 More and more system development efforts focused on the Internet,
especially the Web
 3. Historical Background
In 2000, the main characteristics are:
 Focus more on the Internet, intranets, and extranets
 CASE support Web applications developments
 Three-tier concept appeared (client interface logic on the user
machines on 1st tier, Applications on 2nd tier, and DB as the 3rd tier)
 Insertion of wireless components in systems such that Web-based
applications can be accessed from anywhere
 3. Historical Background
Up tell Now, the main characteristics are:
 Continue to upgrade to n-tier concept appeared (client interface logic on
the user machines, Applications on application server, DB on database server
the 3rd tier, and Networking SW on communication server).
Focus more on Internet, social media and social communications.
Tremendous increase in the HW specs and facilities, storage capacities,
Processing power, and so on …
Tremendous increase in the SW applications and ready made SW.
specs and facilities, storage capacities, Processing power, and so on …
Artificial Intelligence environments, and appear of the related technologies,
such as; machine learning, deep machine learning, ….
Satellite and space visits.
…
 4. Information Systems, IS

A. Definition:
 Organizations have recognized the need to manage its key
resources (information).
 Decision makers understand that information is a critical
factor in success of failure of the business.
 Information system (IS) is an automated or computerized
system that manages information of an organization to allow
decision makers to successfully manage the business of the
organization.
 …
 4. Information Systems, IS

A. Definition:
Management
(Decision Maker)

Marketing status, Stock

Volume of sales, … status
Financial
reporting
Spares
status
Marketing Policy
(Discounts, Credit Delivery
allowance, Pricing Policy
Partial delivery, …) Policy Purchasing
Policy

Marketing Accounting Production Inventory

Dept. Dept. Dept. Dept.

Marketing Accounting Production Inventory

Staff. Staff. Staff. Staff.
 4. Information Systems, IS
B. Some Related Definitions:

- A user
is a person, or group of persons, for whom the system analyst builds and
maintains business information systems and computer applications, commonly
called Client or Customer.
At least two specific user/customer groups: System Users and System Owners.

- System users
Are those individuals who either have direct contact with an information system
or application (e.g., they use a terminal or PC to enter, store, or retrieve data) or
use information (reports) generated by a system.

-System Owners
Provide sponsorship of information system and computer applications. In other
words. They pay to have the systems and applications developed and maintained.
They may also approve technology. And most certainly approve significant
business changes caused by using technology.
 4. Information Systems, IS

B. Some Related Definitions:

- Data
Raw facts about the organization and its business transactions. Most data items
have little meaning and use by themselves.

- Information
Data that has been refined and organized by purposeful processing. The people
provide the purpose that produces the information.
Information systems transform data into useful information.
 4. Information Systems, IS

B. Some Related Definitions:

- System analysis
Is the study of a business problem domain to recommend improvements
and specify the business requirements for that solution. It can be:
 Business analysis, which deals with business problems and technology
independent requirement analysis.
 Application analysis, which deals with application design and
technology dependent aspects of development.

- Information Technology
The contemporary combination of the computer technology (HW, SW) with
telecommunication technology (data, images, and voice networks).
 4. Information Systems, IS

B. Some Related Definitions:

- Computer application
Is a computer based solution to one or more business problems and needs.
Typically, computer application can be one of the sub-systems constituting
bigger systems.
 4. Information Systems, IS

B. Some Related Definitions:

- Information Systems
Is the collection of people, data, processes, interfaces, networks, and technology that
interact together to support and improve day-to-day operations in business as well as
problem-solving and decision making needs.

Network

Network

Information systems exist with or without a computer. But information technology

has significantly expanded the power and potential of most information systems.
Generally, a system consists of sub-systems which can be integrated together, they
are:
o Human sub-system (manual sub-system)
o Computer sub-system (automated sub-system)
 4. Information Systems, IS

B. Some Related Definitions:

- Business transactions
-Are events that serve the mission of the business.
-They are the primary means by which the business interacts with its
suppliers, customers, partners, employees, and government.
- Transactions are significant to us because they capture and/or create
data about and for the business.
- Examples of transactions include purchases, orders, sales,
reservations, shipments, invoices, and payments.
 4. Information Systems, IS

C. Components of IS:

Data
Raw data describing:
People Data flow
Objects Describes the flow of data through
Events the systems, defining the source
and destination for each group of
data Processing logic
describe the steps of
processing the data, and
the events that trigger
these steps
 4. Information Systems, IS
fggggf
C. Components of IS:

Interfaces
Technology
Data
…
Network
Data 0
Data
….. Process 0
Network
Process …
.. Process

Information Systems
Components
 4. Information Systems, IS

C. Components of IS:

Data Data flow

Name Age Party account #
Jones Smith 31 Democrat transaction data
Jean Chen 42 Republican
Validate credit
William Auez 25 Independen card sales
Processing logic
t
Hours-Worked = xx
… … … Validate account If Exp. = Value
# transaction data
…
Transactions
User enter annual account # Then
profit value, then and
transactions …
Click on START
Prepare Endif
report …
 4. Information Systems, IS

D. IS Development Approaches:
Information system (IS) development approaches can be:
1. Process-oriented approach
An overall strategy to IS development that focuses on how and when data are moved
through and changed by an IS, such that:
- Each application has its own data files
- Leading to: the same data can exist in several data files working for different
applications
- Changing an item needs to update it in all relevant files
-If not updated properly in all files, it can lead to data inconsistency
2. Data-oriented approach
An overall strategy to IS development that focuses on the ideal organization of data
rather than where and how data are used
Sometimes data-oriented approach is referred to as information engineering
 4. Information Systems, IS

D. IS Development Approaches:
Key differences between
Process-oriented and data-oriented approaches
Chsts Process-oriented Data-oriented

System focus What the system is supposed
to do and when
Design Limited, as business
stability processes and the
applications that support
them change constantly
Data Data files designed for each
organization individual application
State of the Much uncontrolled
data duplication
Data the system needs to
operate
More enduring, as the data
needs of an organization do
not change rapidly
Data files designed for the
enterprise
Limited, controlled
duplication
 4. Information Systems, IS

D. IS Development Approaches:
3. Object Oriented (OO) Approach
 It combines data and processes (called methods) into single entities called objects.
 OO analysis and design is the systems development methodologies and techniques
based on objects rather than data or processes.
 Objects usually correspond to the real things an IS deals with, such as customers,
suppliers, contracts, …Object is a structure that encapsulates (or packages) attributes
and methods that operate on those attributes.
 The goal of OO analysis and design is:
o To make system elements more reusable.
o Increasing implemented system quality.
o Increasing system analysis and design productivity.
 Objects are organized into object classes, which are groups of objects sharing
structural and behavioral characteristics. Object class is a logical grouping of objects
that have the same (or similar) attributes and behaviors (methods).
 Inheritance allows the creation of new classes that share some of the characteristics
of existing classes
 4. Information Systems, IS

D. IS Development Approaches:
 In other words, inheritance is the property that occurs when entity types or
object classes are arranged in a hierarchy and each entity type or object
class assumes the attributes and methods of its ancestors; that is, those
higher up in the hierarchy. Inheritance allows new but related classes to be
derived from existing classes.
Class
 The main task of OO analysis is: Person Customer inheritance
o Identifying objects -Name - Customer # example:
o Defining their structures -Address - Delivery address
Every
o defining their behavior -Phone # - Fax #
customer is a
o Defining their relationships -… -…
person, while
 The main task of OO design is: Every person
o Modeling the details of the objects behavior is not a
o Modeling the communication with other objects to met customer
system requirements Reexamining and redefining objects
to better implement the inheritance property
 4. Information Systems, IS

D. IS Development Approaches:
4. Prototyping Approach
Prototyping is an iterative process of systems development in which
requirements are converted to a working system that is continually revised
through close work between an analyst and users
-This approach can be implemented using a prototyping tools such as:
. CASE tool (Computer Aided SW Engineering)
. A fourth generation language (4GL) with a query, screen, and report
design capabilities of a database management system

Identify Initial Develop

Problem requirements Prototype
Working Prototype
Problems
Convert to Revise & Enhance
Operational System Prototype
Next Version
If Prototype is efficient
Implement & use
Prototype
 4. Information Systems, IS

D. IS Development Approaches:
5. Rapid Application Development (RAD) Approach

- A system development methodology created to radically decrease the time

needed to design and implement IS. It relies on extensive user involvement,
Joint Application design sessions, prototyping, integrated CASE tools, and code
generators.
- RAD can overlook ‫ يهمل‬important SW engineering principles, leading to:
. Inconsistencies between system modules
. Non compliance with standards
. Lack of reusing of system components
- The fundamental principles of any RAD methodology are:
. Delay of producing detailed system design documents until after user
requirements are clear
. Developing core capabilities as quickly as possible
. Sacrificing ‫ التضحية بشيء من اجل شيء آخر‬computer efficiency for rapidly
building and rebuilding working systems
. Gain user acceptance of the human system-interface
 4. Information Systems, IS

D. IS Development Approaches:

6. Joint Application Design (JAD) Approach

It is a structured process in which users, managers, and analysts work together
for several days in a series of intensive meetings to specify or review system
requirements
 4. Information Systems, IS

E. Types of Information Systems:

Speed
Today’s Business System
Accuracy

Business Information
Improvements
System System
(Manual)
(Automated)

Interfaces Network

Data
Network
… ….. Process Information
Process …
Data (Results)
.. Process
Data
 4. Information Systems, IS

E. Types of Information Systems:

Types of Information Systems
According to People
Transaction
Data Processing
System (TPS)
Processing
Management
Interfaces information
system (MIS)
Geography
Decision
Support
System (DSS)

Expert
Systems (ES)`
 4. Information Systems, IS

E. Types of Information Systems:

 4. Information Systems, IS

E. Types of Information Systems:

Transaction processing system TPS
- TPS automate the handling of data about business activities, or
transactions
- Transaction is a simple, and discrete events in the life of an
organization
- Data about each transaction are captured, verified, and stored for
later aggregation for processing then reporting
 4. Information Systems, IS

E. Types of Information Systems:

- Analysis and design of TPS focus on firm’s current procedures of processing
transactions (whether manual or automated) leading to a careful tracking of data capture,
flow, processing, and output
- They are sometimes called data processing systems.
- The analysis and design of transaction processing system focus on factors such as
response time, throughput (volume of transactions), accuracy, consistency, and
service.
- The objective of TPS development is to improve transaction processing by:
- Speeding up the processing
- Using fewer people
- Increasing efficiency and accuracy
- Integration with other organizational information system
- Providing information not previously available
 4. Information Systems, IS

E. Types of Information Systems:

IS

Integration IS IS
IS
of other IS IS IS
Speeding up
IS IS
IS IS

New
Information
 4. Information Systems, IS

E. Types of Information Systems:

management information system (MIS)

 MIS takes the relatively raw data (the output of TPS) and converts them into a
meaningful aggregated form that mangers need to do their jobs
 Developing successful MIS depends on the good understanding of the nature of
information that the mangers need and how they use it
 The analyst must understand the nature of the business, and how to use TPS to
develop a good MIS

 MIS provides management-oriented reporting usually in a predetermined, fixed format.

 MIS is normally produced from a shared database that stores data from many sources,
including TPS. Thus, data analysis and database design become critical to MIS design.
 MIS supplement transaction processing system with management reports required to
plan, monitor, and control business operations.
 ‫‪4. Information Systems, IS‬‬

‫‪E. Types of Information Systems:‬‬

‫‪Transactions‬‬
‫تحديث كميات المخزون‬
‫حجم المبيعات مه االصىاف المختلفة‬
‫تحديث اسعار البيع‬
‫تحديث وسب الخصم‬
‫‪TPS‬‬
‫‪Manager‬‬

‫‪DB‬‬ ‫‪Request‬‬

‫حركة االصىاف وكمية المبيعات‬

‫‪MIS‬‬
‫العالقة بيه وسب الخصم وكمية المبيعات‬
‫‪...‬‬ ‫‪Management‬‬
‫‪Reports‬‬ ‫االصىاف االكثر مبيعا في المواسم المختلفة‬
‫تاثير وسب الخصم علي حجم المبيعات‬
‫‪Planning‬‬ ‫‪...‬‬
‫‪Leading to‬‬ ‫‪Monitor‬‬
‫‪Control‬‬
 4. Information Systems, IS

E. Types of Information Systems:

A decision support system (DSS)
 DSS is an information system application that provides its users with decision-oriented
information whenever a decision-making situation arises.

DSS is designed to help organizational decision-maker make decision

Instead of providing summaries of data, DSS provides an interactive environment
allowing decision-maker a quickly data manipulation in the frame of a business operation
DSS is composed of:
DB or data warehouse
 Mathematical or graphical models of business processes
User interface (GUI)
 4. Information Systems, IS

E. Types of Information Systems:

 A data warehouse is a collection of integrated, subject-oriented database designed to
support the decision support function
 When applied to executive managers, these systems are sometimes called Executive
Information Systems.
 A DSS does not typically make decisions or solve problems - people do.
 Decision support systems are concerned with providing useful information to support
the decision process.
 Decision support systems further extend the power of information systems.
 In general, a DSS provides one or more of the following types of support to the
decision maker:
o Identification of problems or decision-making opportunities (similar to exception
reporting).
o Identification of possible solutions or decisions.
o Access to information needed to solve a problem or make a decision.
o Analysis of possible decisions, or of variables that will impact a decision.
sometimes this is called “what if” analysis.
o Simulation of possible solutions and their likely results.
 4. Information Systems, IS

E. Types of Information Systems:

 The interest in decision support systems is at all-time high.

This interest is being with detailed, summary, and exception information that can be
accessed by end-users and managers with DSS tools that generate a virtually limitless
variety of information in support of unstructured decisions.
 System analysis and design concentrates on the following components:
- database, by understanding the user requirements, and document the
mathematical rules that define inter-relationships among different data that will lead
to predict future data or find best solutions to decision problem
- Model data, by understanding carefully the decision logic, and document it
- User dialogue, by providing an easy- to –use system through user dialogues and
screens
 A prototyping approach is used to develop DSS systems to ensure the system provide
the target function (decision support) in many different ways as DSS need
 4. Information Systems, IS

E. Types of Information Systems:

User

User DSS
Interface

Other Mathematical
MIS TPS Judgment
resources Graphical
“what if”
Model

Data Historical
Warehouse data

The general structure of the DSS

 4. Information Systems, IS

E. Types of Information Systems:

User Transactions

TPS Mgt
Request
DB

MIS
Decision Maker
DB

DSS

Data
Warehouse
The relation between TPS, MIS, and DSS
 4. Information Systems, IS

E. Types of Information Systems: Transaction file

Master file
Item Trans. Value
Item Item Qty Unit Disc. Reorder Unit …
# Type
# Description Price % Point Cost
501 01 600
501 … 602 10 10 550 5 …
501 02 12
502 … 132 17 11 125 9 …
501 03 12
503 … 438 8 7 405 4 …
502 03 8
504 … 507 23 13 600 15 …
504 03 15
… … … … … … … …
504 04 500
Master file Transaction file 504 05 17

Transaction Type
TPS
= 01 … Update Qty
Updated Master file Master file = 02 … Update Price
Item Item Qty Unit Disc. Reorder Unit … = 03 … Update Discount
# Description Price % Point Cost = 04 … Update reorder point
501 … 600 12 12 550 5 … = 05 … Update Unit cost
502 … 132 17 8 125 9 …
503 … 438 8 7 405 4 …
 4. Information Systems, IS

E. Types of Information Systems:

Updated Master file
Item Item Qty Unit Disc. Reorder Unit …
# Description Price % Point Cost
501 … 600 12 12 550 5 …
502 … 132 17 8 125 9 …
503 … 438 8 7 405 4 …
504 … 507 23 15 500 17 …
… … … … … … … …
Mgt. Reports
Manager
Season Item # Item Soled Unit Disc. Unit Total Total Total Updated Master file request
Desc. Qty Price % Cost cost sales profit
501 … 600 12 12 5 55077 67090 12003
1st
Season 502 … 600 12 12 5 52442 66508 14066 TPS
503 … 600 12 12 5 13529 33561 20032
504 … 132 17 8 9 49457 60552 11095
… … … … … … … … …

Totals
… … … … … … … … …

2nd … … … … … … … … …
 4. Information Systems, IS

E. Types of Information Systems:

Ite
m#
Item
Descriptio
Qty Uni
t
Dis
c.
Reor
der
Unit
Cost
… For each item,
Sales = Qty X Price – Discount
n Pric % Point
e

501 … 600 Season

12 12 Item #
550 5
Item Desc.
… Soled Qty Unit Price Disc.
%
Unit
Cos
t
Tot
al
cost
Total sales Total profit
Net Profit = Sales – Cost
502 … 132 17 8 125 9 …

503 … 438
1st Season

8 7
501

405
…

4 …
600 12 12 5 550
77
67090 12003
Cost = Qty X unit Price, then
504 … 507 23 15
502

500
…

17 …
600 12 12 5 524
42
66508 14066

• If net profit < 30% of cost

503 … 600 12 12 5 135 33561 20032

… … … … …
504
…
…
… …
132 17 8 9
29

494 60552 11095

make disc. = 1/2
• If net profit < 20% of cost
57

… … … … … … … … …

Totals
make disc. = 1/3
• If net profit < 10% of cost
2nd Season … … … … … … … … …

… … … … … … … … …

Totals
make disc. = 1/5
• If net profit < 5% of cost
… … … … … … … … … …

stop production

Other Information
User
User DSS
Interface
Other
TPS MIS
resources
Mathematical Judgment
Graphical “what if”
Data Model
Warehouse

Historical
data
 4. Information Systems, IS

E. Types of Information Systems:

Expert systems (ES)
They are an extension of decision support system.

- An Expert System is an information system application that captures the knowledge and
expertise of a problem solver or decision maker and then simulates the “thinking” of that
expert for those who have less expertise.
-ES attempts to codify and manipulate knowledge rather than data or information
- Users can communicate with an ES through an interactive dialogue
- The ES takes questions (that an expert would ask) and the end user supplies the
answers The answers are then used to determine which rules apply and the ES provides
a recommendation based on the rules
-The focus on developing an ES is acquiring the knowledge of the expert in the particular
problem domain
-Knowledge engineers perform knowledge acquisition; they similar to systems analysts
but are trained to use different techniques, as determining knowledge is considered
more difficult than determining data
-A comparison between the various types of IS is shown below
 4. Information Systems, IS

E. Types of Information Systems:

System Development for Different IS types

IS Type IS Characteristics
TPS High-volume, data capture
focus; goal is efficiency of data
movement and processing and
interfacing different TPSs
System development Methods
Process-orientation; concern with
capturing, validating, and storing data
and with moving data between each
required step

MIS Draws on diverse yet Data-orientation; concern with

predictable data resources to
aggregate and summarize data;
may involve forecasting future
data from historical trends and
business knowledge
understanding relationships between
data so data can be accessed and
summarized in a variety of ways;
builds a model of data that supports a
variety of users
 4. Information Systems, IS
E. Types of Information Systems:
IS IS Characteristics
Type
DSS Provides guidance in identifying
problems, finding and evaluating
alternative solutions, and selecting
or comparing alternatives;
potentially involves groups of
decision makers; often involves
semi structured problems and the
need to access data at different
levels of details
ES Provides expert advice by asking
users a sequence of questions
dependent on prior answers that
lead to a conclusion or
recommendation
System development Methods
Data- and decision logic-orientation;
design of user dialogue; group
communication may also be key and
access to unpredictable data may be
necessary; nature of systems require
iterative development and almost
constant updating
A specialized decision logic-orientation in
which knowledge is elicited from experts
and described by rules or other forms
 4. Information Systems, IS

E. Types of Information Systems:

User Manager Ex. Decision Maker Decision Maker

Transaction Transaction Info. Mgt. Executive Executive Problems Decision

Data Info. needs Info. Inquiry Info. Support
TPS MIS Ex. IS DSSInfo.
Data Data Read-Only Read-Only
Data Data
User
Business DB Business Data
Data Snapshots Warehouses

Problems Solutions
Data
Data ES
Rules

Information System Applications and Interoperability Expertise DB

 5. The Need to System Analysis and Design

Solving business problems, evolution of the existing

business, or providing the construction of new business
need the analysis phases to be conducted and design to
propose a technical solution to be provided

Today, with the introduction of the information technology

and the processing power provided by such systems, the
business always is employed and executed by information
technology.
The system analysis and design are responsible for that
job.
 4. Information Systems, IS

A. System Analyst Responsibilities:

System analysts are those people who understand both business and
computing, and responsible for:

- The study of the existing business problems or the requested evolutions.

- The formulation and modeling of the existing business system.

- Define how business system and information technology accomplish the

requested improvements for the business system.
 4. Information Systems, IS

A. System Analyst Responsibilities:

- The formulation and modeling of the proposed business system.

- The transformation of the business and information requirements of the

business into a computer based and information system application.

- The definition of the efficient way to to:

 Capture data from business source.

 Flow of data to the computer.
 Processing and storage of data in storage media.
 Flow of useful and timely information back to the business and its people.
 4. Information Systems, IS

B. Charactrestics of Successful System Analyst :

- Succeeding system analyst should have some skills, such as:

. Analytical skills
. Interpersonal skills
Interpersonal analytical mgt. Technical
. Management skills
Project
. Technical skills Identification
& selection
Project
Initiation
& Planning

- The system analyst needs such skills Analysis

over the SDLC phases as in the following Figure
Design

Implementation
- Analytical skills, includes:
. System thinking Maintenance
. Organizational knowledge
. Problem identification
. Problem analyzing and solving
 4. Information Systems, IS

B. Charactrestics of Successful System Analyst :

- System thinking means to be able to identify organization as a system which
leads to identify bottlenecks, inputs, outputs, and system interfaces. The result
of system thinking can be demonstrated as follows:
 illustrating inputs, outputs, system boundary, the environment,
subsystems, and interrelationships
 including the purpose, the constraints, and the bottlenecks

-Organizational knowledge means to acquire the relevant knowledge about

the organization he works for; such as: understanding the functions,
procedures, operations of various departments and their purposes,
relationships with other departments, relationships with customers and supplies
-Selected areas of organizational knowledge can be: policies, standards and
procedures, formal organization structure, job description, critical incidents in
organization’s history, government regulations, products and services, role of
technology, organizational plans
 4. Information Systems, IS

B. Charactrestics of Successful System Analyst :

-Problem identification
As a definition, a problem is the difference between an existing situation and a desired
situation. The desired situation level can be calculated by applying a suitable model.
Each domain or department in an organization can employ different model to define the
desired situation level

Problem analyzing & solving Once the problem has been identified, analyst must
analyze the problem, determine how to solve, propose a set of alternative solutions, then
select the appropriate one. These steps agree with the SDLC phases
Customer Customer Order
Kitchen Order Kitchen
Receipt 1.0
Process
2.0 Customer 3.0
Update Food Order Update Formatted
Formatted
Goods Inventory Inventory
Goods Goods Sold Inventory Data
Sold File File Data
Sold Goods
Data Sold File Inventory File
4.0
Produce
Daily Goods Sold Amount Mgt. Daily Inventory Depletion Amount
Reports
Mgt. Reports
Restaurant Mgr
 Customer Order
Kitchen Order
Customer
Kitchen
Receipt

1.0
Process
Customer
Food Order
Formatted
Formatted 2.0 3.0
Inventory
Goods Update Update
Data
Sold Data Goods Inventory
Sold File Goods Sold Inventory Data File

Goods Sold File Inventory File

4.0
Produce
Daily Goods Sold Amount Mgt. Daily Inventory Depletion Amount
Reports

Mgt. Reports

Restaurant Mgr
 4. Information Systems, IS

B. Charactrestics of Successful System Analyst :

-Technical skills, includes
• . Current technology
• . Notations

Current technology about: HW (microcomputer, WS, minicomputers,

mainframes), programming language, OS, DB & file management system, data
communication standards, system development tools &environments, Web
development language, DSS generators and data analysis tools.
Notations for representing, and modeling various aspects of IS
 4. Information Systems, IS

B. Charactrestics of Successful System Analyst :

-Management skills, includes

. Resource management
. Project management
. Risk management
. Change management

- Resource management
. The objective is to get the most out of an organizational resources
. Resources can be: System documentation, information technology,
money, and leading people+
. Resource management includes the following capabilities:+++ p44
 4. Information Systems, IS

B. Charactrestics of Successful System Analyst :

- Project management
. The objective is to prevent projects from coming in late and going over
budget. Besides, help managers keep track of project’s progress
. An important factor is the personal relationship between parties involved

- Risk management
. It is the ability to anticipate what might go wrong in a project. To identify
risks, and minimize the likelihood of its occurrence or minimize damage
that might result

- Change management
. When you introduce a new or improved IS into an organization, a change
process should be carefully followed to accommodate with people
resistance, through a smooth transition process
 4. Information Systems, IS

B. Charactrestics of Successful System Analyst :

- Interpersonal skills, includes:

. Communication skills
. Working alone and with a team skills
. Facilitating groups skills
. Managing expectations skills

- Communication skills
. It is the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with users, IS
professionals, and managers
. Communication can take many forms: written (memos, reports), Verbal
(phone calls, face-to-face conversations), Visual (presentation slides,
diagrams), … through interviewing and listening, use of questionnaires,
and written to oral presentations
 4. Information Systems, IS

B. Charactrestics of Successful System Analyst :

- Working alone or with a team skills

Characteristics of high performance team are:
Shared vision or goal ‫الرؤية والفهم المشترك الهداف المشروع‬
Sense of team identity ‫التفاهم والتعاون والعمل المشترك‬
Result-driven structure ‫تنظيم مهام عمل اعضاء الفريق بحيث يؤدي لحقيق الهدف‬
Competent team members ‫اختيار اعضاء الفريق اكفاء ومؤهلين‬
Commitment team member ‫االلتزام بروح الفريق‬
Mutual trust ‫الثقة المتبادلة‬
Interdependence among team members ‫االعتمادية المتبادلة العضاء الفريق‬
Effective communications ‫العالقات واالتصاالت الفعالة‬
Sense of autonomy ‫حاسة االستقاللية والحكم الذاتي الصحيح‬
Sense of empowerment ‫حاسة التفويض وتفويض السلطة‬
Small team size ‫ عضو‬10-8 ‫ال يزيد الفريق عن‬
High level of enjoyment ‫االستمتاع بالعمل معا‬
 4. Information Systems, IS

B. Charactrestics of Successful System Analyst :

- Facilitating groups skills

To conduct work with groups, running effective meetings

- Managing expectations:
Expectations means what the user expect from the system to do for hem
 4. Information Systems, IS

B. The Roles of System Analyst :

System analyst roles can be mainly one of two roles:
- A business analyst
Deals with business problems and technology- independent requirement
analysis Business
analysts are usually appointed to a specific project for a fixed duration
-An application analyst
Deals with application design and technology-dependent aspects of
development also called System Architect or Application Architect
Both business and application analysts share many skills particularly
system analysis skills
 4. Information Systems, IS

B. Main Conclusions:
System Analyst, basically, is a system-oriented problem solver.
Problem-solving approach that can be followed by analysts are called
System Development Lifecycle.
It incorporates the following Steps:
- Planning
Identify the scope and boundary of the problem and plan the
development strategy and goals.
- Analysis
Study and analyze the problems, the causes, then the requirements that
must be fulfilled by any successful solution.
- Design
If necessary, design the solution.
Not all solutions require design.
 - Implementation
Implement the proposed solution.

- Support
Evaluate the implemented solution, then refine the design and the implemented
improvements to the solution through the feedback to the previous steps.

Evaluation
Problem
& Planning
Solving
feedback

Support Analysis

Implemented Analysis &

Solution Solution
Requirement
Implementation Accepted Design
Solution
 Analyst Designer Programmer

Planning
Analysis
Design
Programming
Testing

The Individual Roles of the Development Team

End of Lecture