Succeeding as a_systems_analyst

Appendix 1Succeeding as a Systems

Analyst

Modern Systems Analysisand Design

Fourth Edition

Jeffrey A. Hoffer Joey F. George

Joseph S. Valacich

Learning ObjectivesDescribe the organizational roles involved in

information systems development.Discuss analytical skills required for success

as a systems analyst.Discuss technical skills required for success

as a systems analyst.Discuss management skills required for

success as a systems analyst.Discuss interpersonal skills required for

success as a systems analyst.Describe the systems analysis profession.

The Role of the Systems Analyst

Skills required: analytical, technical, managerial, interpersonal

Liaison between users, programmers, and other systems professionals

System analyst works throughout all phases of the systems development life cycle

Characteristics of Successful Teams

Diversity in background, skills, and goals

Tolerance of diversity, ambiguity, and uncertainty

Clear and complete communication

Trust produce effective communication

Mutual respect

Reward system that encourages shared responsibility

Major Information Systems Development Roles

IS department manager: allocate resources to and overseeing approved projects, attend project review meeting…..

Systems analysts

Programmers

Business managers

Other IS managers/technicians

Stakeholders

Analytical Skills for Systems Analysis

Four Sets of Analytical Skills: Systems Thinking Organizational Knowledge Problem Identification Problem Analyzing and Solving

2.82.8

What is a System?

A group of interrelated procedures used for a business function, with an identifiable boundary, working together for some purpose.

Characteristics of SystemsBoundary: divides system from environmentInputs: data from environment to systemOutput: data from system to environmentComponents: subparts of systems operating independently (also called subsystem)Interrelationships: associations between components of a systemInterfaces: point of contact between system and environment, or between subsystemsConstraints: limit to what a system can accomplishPurpose: overall goal or function of a systemEnvironment: everything external to the system that interacts with it

Important System Concepts

Open System: a system that interacts freely with its environment, taking input and returning output. Environment is an issue.

Closed system: a system that is cut off from its environment and does not interact with it. Environment is not an issue.

Important System Concepts

Decomposition: breaking down a system into smaller constituents

Modularity: the result of decomposition; parts of a system

Coupling: the extend to which subsystems are depended on each other.

Cohesion: extent to which a subsystem performs a single function

Decomposition and modularity make systems easier to understand, analyze, design, and maintain.

Logical and Physical Descriptions

Logical System Description Portrays the purpose and function of the system Does not tie the description to a specific physical

implementation Focus on the function of the system.

Physical System Description Focuses on how the system will be materially constructed A physical description of the system.

System analyst should deal with the logical system before the physical system.

Organizational Knowledge

Understanding of how organizations work

Knowledge of specific functions and procedures of organization and department

How work officially gets done

Internal policies

Competitive and regulatory environment

Organizational strategies and tactics

Problem Identification

Problem is the difference between an existing situation and a desired situation.

Identification is process of defining differences.

Differences are defined by comparing the current situation to the output of a model that predicts what the output should be.

Herbert Simon’s Phases of Problem Solving

Intelligence All relevant information is collected.

Design Alternatives are formulated.

Choice Best alternative solution is chosen.

Implementation Solution is put into practice.

Technical Skills for Systems Analysis

Constant re-education is necessary as technology changes rapidly.Activities to keep skills up-to-date: Trade publications Professional societies Attend classes or teach at a local college Attend courses sponsored by organization Conferences and trade shows Browse Websites Participate in new groups and conferences

Technical Skills for Systems Analysis (cont.)

Understanding of a wide variety of technologies is required: Microcomputers, workstations, minicomputers and

mainframe computers Programming languages Operating systems Database and file management systems Data communication standards Systems development tools and environments Web development languages and tools Decision support system generators

Management Skills for Systems Analysis

Four categories: Resource Management Project Management Risk Management Change Management

Resource Management

Systems analyst needs to know how to get the most out of the resources of an organization, including team members.Includes the following capabilities: Predicting resource usage Tracking resource consumption Using resources effectively Evaluation of resource quality Securing resources from abusive use Relinquishing resources when no longer needed

Project Management

Two Goals: Prevent projects from coming in late Prevent projects from going over budget

Assists management in keeping track of project’s progressConsists of several steps: Decomposing project into independent tasks Determining relationships between tasks Assigning resources and personnel to tasks

Risk Management

Ability to anticipate what might go wrong in a project

Minimize risk and/or minimize damage that might result

Placement of resources

Prioritization of activities to achieve greatest gain

Change Management

Ability to assist people in making transition to new system

Ability to deal with technical issues related to change Obsolescence Reusability

Interpersonal Skills for Systems Analysis

Mastery of interpersonal skills is paramount to success as a Systems AnalystFour types of skills: Communication skills Working alone and with a team Facilitating groups Managing expectations

Communication Skills

Effective communication helps to establish and maintain good working relationships with clients and colleagues

Skills improve with experience

Main types used by Systems Analyst: Interviewing and Listening Written and Oral Presentations

Interviewing and Listening

Means to gather information about a project

Listening to answers is just as important as asking questions

Effective listening leads to understanding of problem and generates additional questions

Written and Oral Presentations

Used to document progress of project and communicate this to othersCommunication takes several forms: Meeting agenda Meeting minutes Interview summaries Project schedules and descriptions Memoranda requesting information Requests for proposals from vendors and

contractors

Steps to Improving Communication Skills

Practice Conduct a training class Volunteer to speak

Videotape presentation and do a self-appraisal of your skillsMake use of college writing centersTake classes on business and technical writing

Working Alone and with a Team

Working alone on aspects of project involves managing: Time Commitments Deadlines

Team work involves establishing standards of cooperation and coordination

Facilitating Groups

Involves guiding a group without being a part of the group

Useful skill for sessions such as Joint Application Development (JAD)

Guidelines for Effective Meetings

Be comfortable with facilitator role.Make sure group understands expectations.Use physical movement to indicate where to focus.Give thanks and respect for participation.Ask questions instead of making statements.Be a patient and good listener.Keep the group focused.Encourage group members to feel ownership of goals and outcomes.

Managing Expectations

Managing expectations is directly related to successful system implementation.

Skills for successful expectation management: Understanding of technology and workflows Ability to communicate a realistic picture of new

system to users Effective education of management and users

throughout systems development life cycle

Systems Analysis as a Profession

Standards have been established for education, training, certification and practice.

Several aspects: Standards of Practice Ethics Career Paths

Standards of Practice

Endorsed Development Methodology Specific procedures and techniques are to be

used during development process. Promote consistency and reliability across all of an

organization’s development projects.

Approved Development Platforms Organizations standardize around a specific

platform, sometimes tied to development methodology.

Standards of Practice

Standardization of Roles Roles are becoming better defined across

organizations.

Development of a Common Language Common programming languages Common modeling languages, such as

Unified Modeling Language (UML)

Ethics

Professional Ethics ACM Code of Ethics

Business Ethics Stockholder approach

Any action taken by a business is acceptable as long as it is legal and maximizes stockholder profit.

Stakeholder approach Any action that violates rights of stakeholder must be

rejected. Social Contract approach

Any action that is deceptive, can dehumanize employees or that could discriminate is rejected.

ACM Code of Conduct

ACM Code of Conduct (cont.)

Career Paths

Consulting

Information Systems within a large corporation

Software vendors

Other opportunities outside of systems analysis

SummaryIn this chapter you learned how to: Describe the organizational roles involved in

information systems development. Discuss analytical skills required for success as a

systems analyst. Discuss technical skills required for success as a

systems analyst. Discuss management skills required for success as

a systems analyst. Discuss interpersonal skills required for success as a

systems analyst. Describe the systems analysis profession.

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