- 1 - © Houman Younessi 2010 MGMT Advanced Systems Analysis and Design A dvanced S ystems A nalysis and D esign Fall 2010 Convener: Houman Younessi Lecture 1

- 2 - © Houman Younessi 2010 MGMT Advanced Systems Analysis and Design A system is identified in terms of the single goal it is to achieve. A system name is a cognitive handle that allows the identification and communication of a particular coherent and purposeful set of activities. A system name is usually presented in the form of: “A system to do/be/achieve X” Example: A system to generate birth certificates A system to generate reusable components A system to provide a uniform computing platform across government agencies All these may actually refer to the same application software!

- 3 - © Houman Younessi 2010 MGMT Advanced Systems Analysis and Design Software Development is a form of System Development System Development entails the processes of: Finding out what is the problem Arriving at a solution Delivering on a good solution Discovery Invention Construction

- 4 - © Houman Younessi 2010 MGMT Advanced Systems Analysis and Design Analysis Design Implementation So “analysis and design” is all about identifying what the problem is and to propose one or several solutions to rectify the problem. What is the problem? What is a solution? How do we deliver on a good solution? Discovery Invention Construction

- 5 - © Houman Younessi 2010 MGMT Advanced Systems Analysis and Design Figuring out the problem. The problem that is to be figured out is immersed in the real world. The real world (the problem situation) is a web of interactions of amazing complexity To have a chance, we need to be able to focus only on what is: RELEVANT

- 6 - © Houman Younessi 2010 MGMT Advanced Systems Analysis and Design We need therefore to concentrate on: Those elements about which we need to ask questions, Those elements about which we need to answer questions We also need to make sure that: Only those elements that are of our direct and immediate concern are focused on at any one time.

- 7 - © Houman Younessi 2010 MGMT Advanced Systems Analysis and Design The first of these is called: The second is called: CONTEXTUALIZATION ABSTRACTION

- 8 - © Houman Younessi 2010 MGMT Advanced Systems Analysis and Design Once we have understood the problem, we need to: Communicate our understanding: To ourselves at a later time To others To do so, we need to capture, retain and communicate what is relevant and in context. This is called Modeling

- 9 - © Houman Younessi 2010 MGMT Advanced Systems Analysis and Design Modeling is therefore a fundamental element of analysis and as such a vital part of software development. In order to capture, retain and communicate what is needed, the modeler has to use a language. This is called: The Modeling Language The modeling language has to contain the vocabulary and the grammar of the modeling approach utilized.

© Houman Younessi 2010 MGMT Advanced Systems Analysis and Design Activity 1 Model a Person

© Houman Younessi 2010 MGMT Advanced Systems Analysis and Design Activity 2 Model a Refinery

© Houman Younessi 2010 MGMT Advanced Systems Analysis and Design What’s there? How does it happen? When does it happen? (or in what sequence?) Things and static relationships Change Order and timing of change

© Houman Younessi 2010 MGMT Advanced Systems Analysis and Design Things and static relationships Change Order and timing of change Structure Transformations Causal (sequential) relationships For all deterministic systems we must capture all that is relevant of these three aspects, if we are to have sufficient understanding of them.