COLLEGE OF BUSINESS EDUCATION

(CBE-Mwanza)
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

SMB 07307

LECTURE THREE
SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND DESIGNING
Systems are created to solve problems. One can think of the systems approach as an
organized way of dealing with a problem. In this dynamic world, the subject System
Analysis and Design (SAD), mainly deals with the software development activities.

DEFINITION

A SYSTEM – is a collection of related components that work together to accomplish some

objectives of the specific organization. In other words, you may define the word system
as a set of detailed methods, procedures and routines created to carry out a specific
activity, perform a duty, or solve a problem.

Basically there are three major components in every system, namely input, processing
and output.

Note: In a system the different components are connected with each other and they are
interdependent. For example, human body represents a complete natural system. We are
also bound by many national systems such as political system, economic system,
educational system and so forth. The objective of the system demands that some output is
produced as a result of processing the suitable inputs. A well-designed system also includes
an additional element referred to as ‘control’ that provides a feedback to achieve desired
objectives of the system.

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SYSTEM LIFE CYCLE

System life cycle is an organizational process of developing and maintaining systems. It

helps in establishing a system project plan, because it gives overall list of processes and
sub-processes required for developing a system.

System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a methodology or framework used by the

software industry to design, develop and test high quality software/systems. The SDLC
aims to produce high-quality software that meets or exceeds customer expectations,
reaches completion within times and cost estimates.

o SDLC is the acronym of System Development Life Cycle.

o It is also called as Software Development Process.

o SDLC is a framework defining tasks performed at each step in the software

development process.

o ISO/IEC 12207 is an international standard for software life-cycle processes. It aims

to be the standard that defines all the tasks required for developing and maintaining
software.

Following are the different phases of system development life cycle:

 Planning
 Analysis
 Design
 Implementation
 Testing & Integration
 Maintenance

Fig. 1.2 System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

PHASES OF SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE

1. Planning - This is the first phase in the systems development process. It identifies
whether or not there is the need for a new system to achieve a business’s strategic
objectives. This is a preliminary plan (or a feasibility study) for a company’s business

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 initiative to acquire the resources to build on an infrastructure to modify or improve
a service. The company might be trying to meet or exceed expectations for their
employees, customers and stakeholders too. The purpose of this step is to find out
the scope of the problem and determine solutions. Resources, costs, time, benefits
and other items should be considered at this stage.

Goal/Activities: Identify problems or opportunities: define the problem, come up with

project budget, define project team and show the significance of doing the project.

Deliverables: Finally, a project plan (Proposal) is created which serves the purpose of
guideline for the next phase of the model.

2. Systems Analysis and Requirements - The second phase is where businesses will
work on the source of their problem or the need for a change. In the event of a
problem, possible solutions are submitted and analyzed to identify the best fit for the
ultimate goal(s) of the project. This is where teams consider the functional
requirements of the project or solution. It is also where system analysis takes place
or analyzing the needs of the end users to ensure the new system can meet their
expectations. Systems analysis is vital in determining what a business’s needs are,
as well as how they can be met, who will be responsible for individual pieces of the
project, and what sort of timeline should be expected.

Goal/Activities: How can we solve the problem: conduct feasibility studies (Technical,
operational, economic, legal, organizational and social)

Deliverables: Finally, a Requirement Specification document is created which serves

the purpose of guideline for the next phase of the model.

3. Systems Design - The third phase describes, in detail, the necessary specifications,
features and operations that will satisfy the functional requirements of the proposed
system which will be in place. This is the step for end users to discuss and determine
their specific business information needs for the proposed system. It’s during this
phase that they will consider the essential components (hardware and/or software)
structure (networking capabilities), processing and procedures for the system to
accomplish its objectives.

A general system design can be done with a pen and a piece of paper to determine
how the system will look like and how it will function, and then a detailed and

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 expanded system design is produced, and it will meet all functional and technical
requirements, logically and physically.

Goal/Activities: Select and plan the best solution: Data flow diagram, flowchart and e.t.c

Deliverables: Finally, a System Design Document is created which serves the purpose of
guideline for the next phase of the model by mention what to design and test.

4. Implementation and Deployment - This phase comes after a complete

understanding of system requirements and specifications, it’s the actual construction
process after having a complete and illustrated design for the requested system.

In the Software Development Life Cycle, the actual code is written here, and if the
system contains hardware, then the implementation phase will contain configuration
and fine-tuning for the hardware to meet certain requirements and functions.

In this phase, the system is ready to be deployed and installed in customer’s

premises, ready to become running, live and productive, training may be required for
end users to make sure they know how to use the system and to get familiar with it,
the implementation phase may take a long time and that depends on the complexity
of the system and the solution it presents.

Goal/Activities: Actual implementation and Deployment of the solution, unit test also can
be done under this section.

Deliverables: Place solution into effect.

5. System Testing and Integration - Bringing different components and subsystems

together to create the whole integrated system, and then Introducing the system to
different inputs to obtain and analyze its outputs and behavior and the way it
functions. Testing is becoming more and more important to ensure customer’s
satisfaction, and it requires no knowledge in coding, hardware configuration or
design.

Testing can be performed by real users, or by a team of specialized personnel, it can

also be systematic and automated to ensure that the actual outcomes are compared
and equal to the predicted and desired outcomes.

Deliverables: satisfaction of both user and system requirements

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 6. System Maintenance - In this phase, periodic maintenance for the system will be
carried out to make sure that the system won’t become obsolete, this will include
replacing the old hardware and continuously evaluating system’s performance, it also
includes providing latest updates for certain components to make sure it meets the
right standards and the latest technologies to face current security threats.

Deliverables: Evaluate the results of the solution

HOW WORK

1. Who is a System Analyst and list any three skills of a System Analyst?
2. What is a System Development Life Cycle?
3. What are the six main phases of the general System Development Life Cycle
4. List different System Development Life Cycle models and explain any four of them?
5. Contrast V-Model from Waterfall Model
6. Contrast Iterative Model from Spiral Model

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