Requisite Skills for IS Analytical Skills

Contemplative Questions What skills are important for work in IS? What skills are important for work in IS? Do I have these skills now? Or, do I need to acquire them? Do I have these skills now? Or, do I need to acquire them? Why do I need them? Why do I need them? 2.2

List of Skills Analytical skills Analytical skills Systems thinking (see separate slides) Systems thinking (see separate slides) Organizational knowledge Organizational knowledge Problem identification Problem identification Problem analyzing and solving Problem analyzing and solving Technical skills Technical skills Management skills (see separate slides) Management skills (see separate slides) Interpersonal skills (see separate slides) Interpersonal skills (see separate slides)

Organizational Knowledge Good systems analysts (and employees, in general) understand how organizations work. It is critical to your survival and success in your career. Good systems analysts (and employees, in general) understand how organizations work. It is critical to your survival and success in your career. e.g. Who makes the decisions? Who owns the data? Who will resist change? Whom do people follow? e.g. Who makes the decisions? Who owns the data? Who will resist change? Whom do people follow? Knowledge of specific functions and procedures of organization and department Knowledge of specific functions and procedures of organization and department How work officially and unofficially gets done How work officially and unofficially gets done Internal policies, both formal and informal Internal policies, both formal and informal External factors: Competitive and Regulatory Environment External factors: Competitive and Regulatory Environment Internal factors: Organizational Strategies and Tactics Internal factors: Organizational Strategies and Tactics 2.4

Problem Solving A “problem” can be defined in many ways. A generic but useful definition may be a problem is A “problem” can be defined in many ways. A generic but useful definition may be a problem is “A discrepancy between an existing and desired state of affairs” “A discrepancy between an existing and desired state of affairs” Problem identification and problem solving are two different things Problem identification and problem solving are two different things “A problem well-stated is a problem half-solved.” “A problem well-stated is a problem half-solved.” “A most dangerous and common trap” “A most dangerous and common trap” One of the most important and universal concepts you will learn in this course One of the most important and universal concepts you will learn in this course

Problem Identification and Solving 1. Identify the problem (The Identification) 2. Define the decision criteria (Start the Solving) 3. Weight the decision criteria 4. Develop alternatives 5. Analyze each alternative 6. Select an alternative 7. Implement alternative 8. Evaluate outcome of decision (End the Solving) Which of these steps is most important?

Some “Problems” Encountered With Problem Solving Failure to recognize existence of a problem Failure to recognize existence of a problem Failure to define the correct problem Failure to define the correct problem Failure to use all available information Failure to use all available information Failure to recognize and question assumptions Failure to recognize and question assumptions Failure to consider a wide range of alternatives Failure to consider a wide range of alternatives Failure to address implementation issues Failure to address implementation issues

Root Cause Analysis Symptoms ROOT CAUSES Symptoms Identify symptoms Identify symptoms Trace each symptom back to its causes Trace each symptom back to its causes “The Five Whys” “The Five Whys” “If there was one thing I wish I had learned when I was younger…” “If there was one thing I wish I had learned when I was younger…” Five whys Five whys Five whys Five whys

Problem Analyzing and Solving Four Phases Four Phases Intelligence Intelligence All relevant information is collected All relevant information is collected Design Design Alternatives are formulated Alternatives are formulated Choice Choice Best alternative solution is chosen Best alternative solution is chosen Implementation Implementation Solution is put into practice Solution is put into practice

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

Technical Skills for Systems Analysis Understanding of a wide variety of technologies is required Understanding of a wide variety of technologies is required Microcomputers, workstations, minicomputers and mainframe computers Microcomputers, workstations, minicomputers and mainframe computers Data communication standards Data communication standards Operating systems Operating systems Database and file management systems Database and file management systems Programming languages Programming languages Systems development tools and environments Systems development tools and environments Web development languages and tools Web development languages and tools Decision support system generators Decision support system generators

Summary Skills of Successful Systems Analyst Skills of Successful Systems Analyst Analytical Analytical Systems Thinking Systems Thinking Technical Technical Change over time Change over time Programming Languages Programming Languages Operating Systems Operating Systems Database Management Systems Database Management Systems Data Communications Data Communications Systems Development Techniques Systems Development Techniques