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The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 19982
Introduction
The chapter will address the following questions: What business trends and drivers are influencing the careers of
systems analysts? How can you prepare yourself for a career as a systems or
business analyst? What does the future hold for systems analysts?
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 19983
Who Should Read This Book
What is an Information System? An information system is an arrangement of people, data,
processes, interfaces, networks, and technology that interact for the purpose of supporting and improving both day-to-day operations in a business (sometimes called data processing), as well as supporting the problem solving and decision making needs of management (sometimes called information services).
What is a Computer Application System? A computer application is computer-based solution to one or
more business problems and needs. One or more computer applications are typically contained within an information system.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 19985
Who Should Read This Book
The Systems Analyst - A Key Resource The systems analyst performs systems analysis and design.
Systems analysis is the study of a business problem domain for the purpose of recommending improvements and specifying the business requirements for the solution.
Systems design is the specification or construction of a technical, computer-based solution for the business requirements identified in a systems analysis. (Note: Increasingly, the design takes the form of a working prototype.).
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 19988
The Systems Analyst As A Modern Business Problem Solver
What is a Systems Analyst? A formal definition:
A systems analyst facilitates the study of the problems and needs of a business to determine how the business system and information technology can best solve the problem and accomplish improvements for the business. The product of this activity may be improved business processes, improved information systems, or new or improved computer applications frequently all three.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199810
The Systems Analyst As A Modern Business Problem Solver
What is a Systems Analyst? A systems analyst is a business problem solver.
A systems analyst helps the business by solving its problems using system concepts and information technology.
A systems analyst sell business management and computer users the services of information technology. A systems analyst sells change.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199811
The Systems Analyst As A Modern Business Problem Solver
What is a Systems Analyst? The role of systems analyst is changing into two distinct positions
or roles, business analyst and application analyst. A business analyst is a systems analyst that specializes in
business problem analysis and technology-independent requirements analysis.
An application analyst is a systems analyst that specializes in application design and technology-dependent aspects of development. A synonym is system or application architect.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199812
The Systems Analyst As A Modern Business Problem Solver
What Does A System Analyst Do? A system analyst is a system-oriented problem solver.
System problem solving is the act of studying a problem environment in order to implement corrective solutions that take the form of new or improved systems.
Most systems analysts use some variation of a system problem solving approach called a system development life cycle. A systems development life cycle (SDLC) is a systematic and
orderly approach to solving system problems.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199813
The Systems Analyst As A Modern Business Problem Solver
What Does A System Analyst Do? The SDLC usually incorporates the following general-purpose
problem solving steps: Planning - identify the scope and boundary of the problem,
and plan the development strategy and goals. Analysis - study and analyze the problems, causes, and
effects. Then, identify and analyze the requirements that must be fulfilled by any successful solution.
Design - if necessary, design the solution not all solutions require design.
Implementation - implement the solution. Support - analyze the implemented solution, refine the design,
and implement improvements to the solution. Different support situations can thread back into the previous steps.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199814
Planning
Analysis
Design
Support
Problem to be solved
Problem analysis and
Solution requirements
Acceptable solution
Obsolete solution
Implemen- tation
Implemented solution
Related problem to be solved
New solution to same problem
Implementation error
to be fixed
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199815
The Systems Analyst As A Modern Business Problem Solver
What Does A System Analyst Do? System analysts are responsible for other aspects of a system
including: PEOPLE, including managers, users, and other developers –
and including the organizational behaviors and politics that occur when people interact with one another.
DATA, including capture, validation, organization, storage, and usage.
PROCESSES, both automated and manual, that combine to process data and produce information.
INTERFACES, both to other systems and applications, as well to the actual users (e.g., reports and display screens).
NETWORKS, which effectively distribute data, processes, and information to the people.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199817
The Systems Analyst As A Modern Business Problem Solver
Where Do System Analysts Work? The Systems Analyst in the Traditional Business.
Information services are centralized for the entire organization or a specific line of business.
• Information Services reports directly to chief executive officer, or the chief executive for a line of business.
• The highest ranking information officer is a vice president, sometimes called a chief information officer (CIO).
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199818
The Systems Analyst As A Modern Business Problem Solver
Where Do System Analysts Work? The Systems Analyst in the Traditional Business.
Information Services is organized according to the following functions or centers:
• Systems and Applications Development.
– Most systems analysts work here, along with most programmers.
– The systems analysts and programmers are organized into permanent teams that support the information systems and applications for specific business functions.
– The Systems and Applications Development unit may include a development center.
– A development center establishes and enforces the methods, tools, techniques, and quality of all development projects.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199823
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or
Line of Business Chief Executive
VP of Information Services or
Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Manager Systems Development
Telecommunications Administrator
Manager End User Computing
Data Administrator
Manager. Computer Operations
Data Analysts
Database Analysts
Database Administrators
Network Managers
Network Technicians
Network Analysts
End User Consultants
End User Trainers
System Programmers
Capacity Analyst
Computer Operators
Manager Financial Systems
Manager Development
Center
Manager Marketing Systems
Manager Manufacturing
Systems
Systems Analysts
Application Programmers
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199824
The Systems Analyst As A Modern Business Problem Solver
Where Do System Analysts Work? Modern Information Services in a Business
Dramatic reorganization trend in medium-to-large information services units that is highly decentralized with a focus on empowerment and dynamic teams .
Result is a federation of information systems centers that report directly to their functional business units (or groups of business units).
• Each of these centers is empowered to set priorities and make decisions on behalf of their constituent management and users.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199825
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or
Line of Business Chief Executive
Chief Information Officer (CIO) (for central information services)
Vice President Finance
Vice President Marketing
Vice President Manufacturing
Manager Financial
Information Services
Manager Financial
Information Services
Manager Financial
Information Services
Network Manager
Analyst/ Programmers
Team
Network Manager
Analyst/ Programmers
Team
Network Manager
Analyst/ Programmers
Team
Information Strategy Planning
Team
Information Technology Architecture
Team
Cross-Functional Systems &
Applications Development Teams
Information Technology Competency
Centers
Departmental Computing
Coordination
Data Administrator
Telecommuni-cations
Administrator
Project Managers
coordinate advise evaluate
Other Technical Specialists
Application Technology Specialists
Database Specialists
Network Specialists
indicates dynamic assignments
to teams as needed
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199826
The Systems Analyst As A Modern Business Problem Solver
Where Do System Analysts Work? Modern Information Services in a Business
Decentralized information services can, however, lead to information anarchy and systems that do not interoperate to the benefit of the business as a whole.
There will always be systems and applications that support more than one business function perhaps the entire enterprise.
• These are called cross-functional applications. There still exists a need for a central Information Services unit.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199827
The Systems Analyst As A Modern Business Problem Solver
Where Do System Analysts Work? Modern Information Services in a Business
The central Information Services unit is responsible for:• Information Strategy Planning
– The information strategy planning team establishes direction and priorities for aligning information services for the entire business with the corporate mission, vision, and goals.
– Experienced systems analysts often play key roles in development.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199832
The Systems Analyst As A Modern Business Problem Solver
Where Do System Analysts Work? Outsourcing in the Modern Business
Outsourcing is the act of contracting a service or function to an external third party.
Typically, the business must retain enough of a central Information Services unit to monitor and manage the outsourcing agreement.
Some mission critical information services functions and projects may not be outsourced.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199834
The Systems Analyst As A Modern Business Problem Solver
Where Do System Analysts Work? Consulting
Management and systems consulting firms build information systems and applications for other organizations.
The systems analysts employed by management consulting firms are usually called management consultants or systems consultants.
• They are loaned (for a fee) to the client for engagements (a consulting term that means ‘project’) that result in a new system for the client.
• Once the engagement is completed, they are reassigned to a new engagement, frequently for a new business client.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199836
The Systems Analyst As A Modern Business Problem Solver
Where Do System Analysts Work? Application Software Solution Providers
Application software solution providers are in the business of building information systems and application software packages for resale to other businesses.
Many businesses have a policy of not building any system they can purchase.
Software packages are typically written to the greatest common denominator of their intended market – that is, they are designed to meet general requirements and offer limited customizability.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199840
Customers, Partners and Expectations
The Roles of Management and Users in Systems Problem Solving
The roles of management and users in: Planning
• Management must sponsor and fund all projects.
• Users must define the domain and boundaries of the problem. Analysis
• As subject matter experts, management and users must analyze the problem domain for causes, effects, and opportunities; as well as communicate the requirements to be fulfilled by any successful solution, regardless of technology chosen.
Design• Users must react to high-level solution designs and participate in
the solution’s design.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199841
Customers, Partners and Expectations
The Roles of Management and Users in Systems Problem Solving
The roles of management and users in: Implementation
• Users participate in system construction and testing. They are the recipients of training necessary to enable the full user community to work with the solution.
Support• Users and management should routinely evaluate the working
solution and suggest improvements.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199855
Customers, Partners and Expectations
Partners for the Systems Analyst – Information Technologists and Vendors
It takes more than systems analysts and users to build effective systems.
In addition to clients, the systems analyst works with a number of technical peers called information technologists.
The systems analyst's role in the typical project is to act as a facilitator.
The systems analyst may well be the only individual who sees the system or application as a whole.
The systems analysts must possess a unique set of skills and abilities to accomplish the complex task of facilitating systems.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199856
Systemsanalyst
Steering committee
User 1
User 2
User N
Management/ systemowner
Databaseadministrator
Interfacedesign expert
Networkadministrator
Applicationsprogrammers
Informationtechnologyvendors
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199857
Preparing For a Career as a Systems Analyst
Working Knowledge of Information Technology The systems analyst is an agent of change. The systems analyst is responsible for showing end-users and
management how new technologies can benefit their business and its operations.
The systems analyst must be aware of both existing and emerging information technologies and techniques.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199858
Preparing For a Career as a Systems Analyst
Computer Programming Experience and Expertise A systems analyst must know how to program because they are
the principle link between business users and computer programmers.
It is wrong to assume that a good programmer will become a good analyst or that a bad programmer could not become a good analyst.
Most systems analysts need to be proficient in one or more high-level programming languages.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199859
Preparing For a Career as a Systems Analyst
Computer Programming Experience and Expertise Historically, the language of choice has been COBOL for business
applications, but many organizations are shifting to visual programming languages or to object-oriented programming languages . The reasons for the shift are as follows:
• The transition to graphical user interfaces.
• The desire to downsize applications from the mainframe to networks of PCs.
• The pressures to improve productivity in applications development through rapid, iterative prototyping and the reuse of programming modules called objects and components.
Visual and object-oriented programming requires a completely different style of program design, construction, and testing.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199860
Preparing For a Career as a Systems Analyst
General Business Knowledge The systems analysts are expected to immerse themselves in the
business and be able to specify and defend technical solutions that address the bottom-line value returned to the business.
Systems analysts should be able to communicate with business experts to gain knowledge of problems and needs.
It is not uncommon for systems analysts to develop so much expertise over time they move out of information systems and into the user community.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199861
Preparing For a Career as a Systems Analyst
Problem-Solving Skills The systems analyst must have the ability to take a large business
problem, break that problem down into its component parts, analyze the various aspects of the problem, and then assemble an improved system to solve the problem.
The systems analyst must learn to analyze problems in terms of causes and effects rather than in terms of simple remedies.
The systems analyst must be well organized. System analysts must be able to creatively define alternative
solutions to problems and needs.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199862
Preparing For a Career as a Systems Analyst
Interpersonal Communications Skills The systems analyst must be able to communicate effectively, both
orally and in writing. The systems analyst should have a good command of the English
language. Almost without exception, communications skills, not technical
skills, prove to be the single biggest factor in career success or failure.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199863
Preparing For a Career as a Systems Analyst
Interpersonal Relations Skills Systems work is people-oriented and systems analysts must be
extroverted or people-oriented. Interpersonal skills help systems analysts work effectively with
people. Interpersonal skills are also important because of the political
nature of the systems analyst's job. The systems analyst's first responsibility is to the business, its
management, and its workers. The systems analyst must mediate problems between team
problems and achieve benefits for the business as a whole.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199865
Preparing For a Career as a Systems Analyst
Flexibility and Adaptability No two systems development projects encountered by a systems
analyst are identical. There is no single, magical approach or solution applicable to
systems development. Successful systems analysts learn to be flexible and adapt to
special challenges or situations presented by specific systems development projects.
The systems analyst must be able to recognize when variations upon (or single-instance exceptions to) development standards are necessary and beneficial to a particular project.
The systems analyst must be aware of the implications of not following the standards.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199866
Preparing For a Career as a Systems Analyst
Character and Ethics The nature of the systems analyst's job requires a strong character
and sense of ethics. Ethics is a personal character trait in which an individual(s)
understands the difference between ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ and acts accordingly.
Systems analysts must be very careful not to share their organization’s sensitive and secret information with others, either within or outside the organization.
Systems analysts must be very careful not to tell sensitive and private data and information about customers, suppliers, employees with the wrong people.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199868
Preparing For a Career as a Systems Analyst
Systems Analysis and Design Skills All systems analysts need thorough and ongoing training in
systems analysis and design. Systems analysis and design skills can be conveniently factored
into three subsets: concepts and principles tools techniques
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199869
The Next Generation
Career Prospects According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities for
systems analysts are expected to increase much faster than the average for all professions; even more than for programmers.
Depending on the economy, businesses will need between 173,000 and 264,000 new systems analysts by the year 2000 – an increase of 24 to 37 percent since 1988.
Systems analyst is ranked as the 12th fastest-growing occupation between now and the year 2000.
The Modern Systems Analyst
Prepared by Kevin C. Dittman for
Systems Analysis & Design Methods 4ed
by J. L. Whitten & L. D. BentleyCopyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 199870
The Next Generation
Career Prospects Does a position as a systems analyst lead to any other careers?
Some analysts leave the information systems field and actually join the user community.
Some analysts become project managers, information systems managers, or move into technical specialties (such as database, telecommunications, microcomputers, and so forth).
The opportunities are virtually limitless.