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Lesson 1. The World of The Modern Systems Analyst
Lesson 1. The World of The Modern Systems Analyst
The World of the Modern Systems Analyst INSY 55: System Analysis and Design
1.
This module describes the roles of the systems analyst in terms of business problem
solving, strategic planning, and system development. It includes the systems analyst’s nature of
work, the necessary knowledge and skills, and the types of systems and special projects an
analyst works on.
No matter what occupation or position you will have in any business in the future, you will
likely participate in systems analysis and design. Some will become systems analysts, the key
players in systems analysis and design; while the rest may work with systems analysts as projects
come and go in different organizations. It emphasizes systems analysts, the people who usually
facilitate systems development through the methods that will be described.
Data – consists of basic facts that are the system’s raw materials.
Database – a centrally managed collection of data
Information – is the data that has been transformed into output that is valuable/useful
to users.
Information System (IS) – the arrangement of technology, people and data to provide
support for business functions such as order processing, inventory control, human
resources, accounting, and others.
Information Technology (IT) – the combination of hardware, software, and services
that people use to manage, communicate, and share information.
Subsystem – a system that is part of a larger system.
System – a set of related components that produces specific results.
Lesson 1. The World of the Modern Systems Analyst INSY 55: System Analysis and Design
System analysis – the process of understanding and specifying in detail what the
information system should accomplish.
Systems analyst – a business professional who uses analysis and design techniques
to solve business problems by using information technology.
System design – the process of specifying in detail how the many components of the
information system should be physically implemented.
1.1.4 A systems analyst needs to know about computers and programming, but also
should know and have a desire to use computers to solve problems.
The solution to the “problem” is generally a new information system. Systems analysts
solve problems for business organizations, such as these:
o Problems getting orders from customers
o Problems planning production amounts
o Problems causing inventory holding costs
o Problems anticipating customer needs
o Problems limiting complete information about financial position
Lesson 1. The World of the Modern Systems Analyst INSY 55: System Analysis and Design
1.1.5 System analysts are responsible for other aspects of a system including:
o PEOPLE, including managers, users, and other developers – and including the
organizational behaviors and politics that occur when people interact with one
another.
o DATA, including capture, validation, organization, storage, and usage.
o PROCESSES, both automated and manual, that combine to process data and
produce information.
o INTERFACES, both to other systems and applications, as well to the actual users
(e.g., reports and display screens).
o NETWORKS, which effectively distribute data, processes, and information to the
people.
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The design tends to focus on factors such as response time, throughput (volume of
transactions), accuracy, consistency and service.
Examples: airline reservations, bank deposits and withdrawals, course registration, hotel
check-in/check-out, order processing and payroll and inventory procurement.
business functions, and the technology architecture plan, a description of the hardware,
software, and communications networks required to implement planned information systems.