Important info Assessment Semester 1: Coursework 1 (Component 1, 2) Important notes Semester 1 Lecturer, tutor: Olga Yugay, MEng in Computer Science, Dongguk University Office hours: Tuesday 14:00 - 16:00, Room 216 (new building) Semester 2 Olimjon Bakirov, MEng in Computer Science, Hofstra University

Essential reading Systems Analysis - A beginner's guide : Kevin Bowman ISBN : 0-333- 98630-X Introducing Systems Development by S.Skidmore and M.Eva: ISBN :0-333-97369-0 UML 2 for Dummies. M.Chonoles, J. Schardt

What is the module about? Information Systems Tools Models Techniques Methodologies and frameworks Programming perspective

What is a system? What is an Information System? Examples A system has nine characteristics: Components/Subsystems Interrelated components A boundary A purpose An environment Interfaces Input Output Constraints

A fast food restaurant as a system: Example What is a system? A fast food restaurant as a system: Example Environments: customers, food distribution, banks, etc. Storage Office Outputs: Prepared food Trash Etc. Inputs: Food ,labor, cash, etc. Kitchens Dining Room Contour Boundary interrelationship

Kitchen Customer 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 Goods sold file Customer order Kitchen order 1.0 Process Customer Food order Receipt Inventory data Update Goods sold file 2.0 3.0 Update Inventory file Formatted Goods sold data Goods Sold Goods sold file Inventory file 4.0 Produce Management report Daily inventory Depletion amounts Daily goods sold amount Management report Restaurant manger *Data flow diagram for fast food restaurant IS

Some reasons for information systems failures User requirements not understood Rejected by client/user High cost of maintenance/changes Over time Over budget No business benefit

Techniques, tools, methods, strategies Techniques - do a particular job within the system s development process. Tools – device designed to assist in utilizing a technique. Methods – embody a number of techniques, each chosen for its appropriateness to a particular task within the overall aim of the method. Strategies – At the highest level. A computer systems development strategy will be agreed within a particular organization and may involve the use of certain methods for certain parts of the development process or for certain types of the system.

Systems analysis and design System – technology in its social context – the organization and the work it supports Analysis – the activity of understanding the requirements for an information system Design – turning those requirements into an actual system or prototype.

The role of a Systems Analyst Mediator, bridge or go-between Social investigation Understand and interpret business needs System design Communicating with clients, users, technical people Sometimes Analyst Developer

Systems Analysts A systems analyst studies the problems and needs of an organization to determine how people, data, processes, communications, and information technology can best accomplish improvements for the business. When information technology is used, the analyst is responsible for: Efficient capture of data from business source Flow of data to the computer Processing and storage of data by computer Flow of useful and timely information back to the business and its people

Variations on the Systems Analysts Title A business analyst is a systems analyst that specializes in business problem analysis and technology-independent requirements analysis. A programmer/analyst (or analyst/programmer) includes the responsibilities of both the computer programmer and the systems analyst. Other synonyms for systems analyst include: Systems consultant Systems architect Systems engineer Information engineer Systems integrator

Skills Required by Systems Analysts Working knowledge of information technology Computer programming experience and expertise General business knowledge Problem-solving skills Interpersonal communication skills Interpersonal relations skills Flexibility and adaptability Character and ethics Systems analysis and design skills

Where Systems Analysts Work Traditional businesses Traditional information services organizations (permanent project teams) Contemporary information services organizations (dynamic project teams) Outsourcing businesses Contracted to traditional businesses Consulting businesses Application software businesses Building software products for traditional businesses

System analysis in practice ;)

How the customer explained it

How the Project Leader understood it

How the Analyst designed it

How the Programmer wrote it

How the Business Consultant described it

How the Project was documented

What operations installed

How the customer was billed

How it was supported

What the customer really needed