Information - A Key Resource oFuels business and can be the critical factor in determining the success or failure of a business oNeeds to be managed correctly oManaging computer-generated information differs from handling manually produced data Copyright (C) 2019, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.All Rights Reserved Developing and Documenting Software oActivity:-System analyst works with programmers to develop any original software-Works with users to develop effective documentation-Coders design, code, and remove syntactical errors from computer programs-Document software with procedure manuals, online help, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and Read Me files oOutput:-Computer programs-System documentation Copyright (C) 2019, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.All Rights Reserved Identifying Problems, Opportunities, and Objectives oActivity:-Interviewing user management-Summarizing the knowledge obtained-Estimating the scope of the project-Documenting the results oOutput: -Feasibility report containing problem definition and objective summaries from which management can make a decision on whether to proceed with the proposed project Copyright (C) 2019, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.All Rights Reserved Need for Systems Analysis and Design oInstalling a system without proper planning leads to great user dissatisfaction and frequently causes the system to fall into disuse oSystems analysis and design lends structure to the analysis and design of information systems oUser involvement throughout a systems project is critical to the successful development of computerized systems Copyright (C) 2019, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.All Rights Reserved The Impact of Maintenance oMaintenance is performed for two reasons -Remove software errors, and-Enhance existing software oEnhance software for three reasons-Include additional features-Address business changes over time-Address hardware and software changes Copyright (C) 2019, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.All Rights Reserved Determining Human Information Requirements oActivity:-Interviewing-Sampling and investing hard data-Questionnaires-Observe the decision maker's behavior and environment-Prototyping-Learn the who, what, where, when, how, and why of the current system -who (the people who are involved), what (the business activity), where (the environment in which the work takes place), when (the timing), and how (how the current procedures are performed) of the business under study.All Rights Reserved Determining Human Information Requirements oOutput:-Analyst understands how users accomplish their work when interacting with a computer-Begin to know how to make the new system more useful and usable-The analyst should also know the business functions- Have complete information on the people, goals, data and procedure involved Copyright (C) 2019, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.All Rights Reserved Need for Systems Analysis and Design Systems analysis and design, as performed by systems analysts, is used to understand what people need to be able to systematically analyze data input or data flow, process or transform data, store data, and output information in the context of a particular organization or enterprise.All Rights Reserved Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) oThe systems development life cycle is a phased approach to solving business problems oDeveloped through the use of a specific cycle of analyst and user activities oEach phase has unique user activities Copyright (C) 2019, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.All Rights Reserved Designing the Recommended System oActivity:-Design procedures to accurately enter data-Design the human-computer interface (HCI)-Design files and/or database-Design backup procedures oOutput-Model of the actual system Copyright (C) 2019, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.All Rights Reserved Roles of the Systems Analyst oThe analyst must be able to work with people of all descriptions and be experienced in working with computers oThree primary roles:-Consultant-Supporting Expert-Agent of change Copyright (C) 2019, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.All Rights Reserved Qualities of the Systems Analyst oProblem solver oCommunicator oStrong personal and professional ethics oSelf-disciplined and self-motivated Copyright (C) 2019, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.All Rights Reserved Analyzing System Needs oActivity:-Create data flow diagrams -Complete the data dictionary-Analyze the structured decisions made-Prepare and present the system proposal oOutput: -Recommendation on what, if anything, should be done Copyright (C) 2019, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.All Rights Reserved Implementing and Evaluating the System oActivity:-Train users-Plans the conversion from old system to new system-Review and evaluate system oOutput:-Trained personnel-Installed system Copyright (C) 2019, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Furthermore, systems analysis and design is used to analyze, design, and implement improvements to the computerized information systems that support users and the functions of businesses.As an outside consultant, you will rely heavily on the systematic methods discussed throughout this text to analyze and design appropriate information systems for users working in a particular business.All Rights Reserved Testing and Maintaining the System oActivity:-Test the information system-System maintenance -Maintenance documentation oOutput:-Problems, if any-Updated programs-Documentation Copyright (C) 2019, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.As the supporting expert, you are not managing the project; you are merely serving as a resource for those who are managing it. If you are a systems analyst employed by a manufacturing or service organization, many of your daily activities may be encompassed by this role.All Rights Reserved Consultant A systems analyst frequently acts as a systems consultant to humans and their businesses and, thus, may be hired specifically to address information systems issues within a business.In this role, an analyst draws on professional expertise concerning computer hardware and software and their uses in the business.As an analyst, you are an agent of change whenever you perform any of the activities in the systems development life cycle (discussed in the next section) and are present and interacting with users and the business for an extended period (from two weeks to more than a year).All Rights Reserved Figure 1.1 The Seven Phases of the Systems Development Life Cycle Copyright (C) 2019, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.All Rights Reserved Supporting Expert Another role that you may be required to play is that of supporting expert within a business for which you are regularly employed in some systems capacity.All Rights Reserved Maintenance Impact oOver time the cost of continued maintenance will be greater than that of creating an entirely new system oAt that point it becomes more feasible to perform a new systems studySystems analysts seek to identify and solve the right problems by performing a thorough analysis of the client's system.It also means that outside analysts are at a disadvantage because an outsider can never know the true organization culture.In addition, you will rely on information systems users to help you understand the organizational culture from others' viewpoints.All Rights Reserved Agent of change The most comprehensive and responsible role that the systems analyst takes on is that of an agent of change, whether internal or external to the business.Copyright (C) 2019, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Such hiring can be an advantage because outside consultants bring with them a fresh perspective that people in an organization do not possess.Copyright (C) 2019, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Copyright (C) 2019, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Hence, you must interact with users and management (if they are not one and the same) from the very beginning of your project.Without their help, you cannot understand what they need to support their work in the organization, and real change cannot take place Copyright (C) 2019, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Copyright (C) 2019, 2014, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Your presence in the business changes it. As a systems analyst, you must recognize this fact and use it as a starting point for your analysis.