Career Profile: Systems Analyst Jenn Sroka

Is a Career as a Systems Analyst right for you? Duties include: Planning, design, installation, and development of new computer systems Renovating existing computer systems to use new technology or meet new standards Create value for money spent on IT innovations to increase Return on Investment (ROI) Test quality assurance of systems Computer Systems Analyst is a broad description for a position that may cover all or some of many different roles and responsibilities. In general, they customize computer systems to meet the specific needs of their users. (About.com Tech Careers,2012)

What Industries Need Systems Analysts?? Computer Systems Design Firms Network Security Specialists Computer System Architectural Firms Computer Programmers Software Engineering Firms Consulting Firms …and More!

What Does It Take? Most employers show a preference for specialized education and/or certifications. However, many System Analysts do hold a variety of degrees, certifications, backgrounds and experience. Common degrees include those in Computer Science, Information Science, or Information Systems Administration. However, many employers simply ask for a relevant degree and experience, basing qualifications on a much larger scale.

Qualifications Such As… Knowledge of a specific computer system Strong analytical and problem- solving skills Good interpersonal and communication skills Background in the employer's industry Empathy for the financial bottom line (About.com Tech Careers,2012) Typical starting experience required is two years or more. But, some employers accept related degrees instead, while others offer entry level jobs or internships that require little or no experience in specific systems, while requiring knowledge with common computer applications and platforms that work with their systems.

Methodology An SDLC ensures system quality meets the demands of the users, while adhering to budget, time, and customer expectations Systems Analysts utilize the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) process of creating or changing information systems. (

(Cliffydcw, 2012) The Software Development Life Cycle A Software Process is a set of related activities that leads to the production of a software product. There are many different software processes, but all must include 5 activities that are fundamental to software engineering.

This stage of the SDLC process asks questions like: What is the problem? What can we do to solve it? Which of these options are suitable for our organization? What are the costs and benefits associated with each? Should we proceed with this design? Requirement Analysis

This is the creative stage of the process. Systems Analysts create the operational components of the system, including screen layouts, process workflows, and mockups of how the system will operate. A test model of the program with limited functionality is created for demonstration Design

Implementation In this stage, the application code is implemented into a working model. This is a labor-intensive process that takes teamwork and a common vision to successfully bring a system to reality.

Testing This stage is the hands-on analysis and quality assurance phase that discovers glitches in functionality, as well as validates the application functions as intended. Testing often leads to minor changes in the application, each signified by a change in the versioning. When the system reaches a level of acceptability for all invested parties, that version is made official and launched.

Evolution This stage comes after the system launches. No system is ever perfect, and the needs of the users change and evolve over time. The maintenance and future development of the platform extends the useful life of the system while keeping the base structure intact and familiar to the users.

Continuation The key component of the System Delivery Life Cycle is continuous process improvement. By returning to the Analysis stage, the process looks back at what it has accomplished, and forward toward what the next version could be. Did our system do what it was intended to do? If no, why not? If yes, how could it do it better, faster, or less costly?

Occupational Outlook According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Computer Systems Analyst jobs are growing faster than average. In fact: (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012)

Think You’ve Got the Skills? Analytical skills. Analysts must interpret complex information from various sources and be able to decide the best way to move forward on a project. They must also be able to predict how changes may affect the project. Teamwork. The projects that computer systems analysts work on usually require them to collaborate and coordinate with others. Communication skills. Analysts work as a go-between with management and the IT department and must be able to explain complex issues in a way that both will understand. Creativity. Because analysts are tasked with finding innovative solutions to computer problems, an ability to “think outside the box” is important. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012)

Jump In! Taking the plunge into the exciting world of a Systems Analyst opens up so many opportunities! Dive into your education, and imagine where the current may take you!

Microsoft Office. Images. n.p., n.d. Web. 7 October 2012 Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook Ed. Computer Systems Analysts. n.d., Web. 7 October Cliffydcw. Systems Development Life Cycle. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 5 October Web. 6 October Howe, Denis. Systems Development Life Cycle. FOLDOC.org Web. 6 October Niznik, John Steven. Computer Systems Analyst Jobs. About.com Tech Careers. About.com. n.d. Web. 5 October 2012.