Systems Analyst (Module V) Ashima Wadhwa

The Systems Analyst - A Key Resource Many organizations consider information systems and computer applications as essential to their ability to compete or gain competitive advantage. Information has become a management resource equal in importance to property, facilities, employees, and capital. All workers need to participate in the development of these systems and applications – not just the computer and information specialists. But one specialist plays a special role in systems and applications development, the systems analyst. A systems analyst(s) facilitates the development of information systems and computer applications.

Systems Analyst A formal definition: A systems analyst facilitates the study of the problems and needs of a business to determine how the business system and information technology can best solve the problem and accomplish improvements for the business. The product of this activity may be improved business processes, improved information systems, or new or improved computer applications frequently all three.

Role of System Analyst : The role of systems analyst is changing into many distinct positions or roles: Business analyst :A business analyst is a systems analyst that specializes in business problem analysis and technology-independent requirements analysis. Application analyst : An application analyst is a systems analyst that specializes in application design and technology-dependent aspects of development. A synonym is system or application architect.

Role of System Analyst : Problem solver : System problem solving is the act of studying a problem environment in order to implement corrective solutions that take the form of new or improved systems. Most systems analysts use some variation of a system problem solving approach called a system development life cycle.

Role of System Analyst : System analysts are responsible for other aspects of a system including: PEOPLE, including managers, users, and other developers – and including the organizational behaviors and politics that occur when people interact with one another. DATA, including capture, validation, organization, storage, and usage. PROCESSES, both automated and manual, that combine to process data and produce information. INTERFACES, both to other systems and applications, as well to the actual users (e.g., reports and display screens). NETWORKS, which effectively distribute data, processes, and information to the people.

Skill required for System Analyst : Interpersonal Skills Technical Skills Analytical Skills Management Skills

Technical Skills Working Knowledge of Information Technology The systems analyst is an agent of change. The systems analyst is responsible for showing end-users and management how new technologies can benefit their business and its operations. The systems analyst must be aware of both existing and emerging information technologies and techniques

Technical Skills Computer Programming Experience and Expertise A systems analyst must know how to program because they are the principle link between business users and computer programmers. It is wrong to assume that a good programmer will become a good analyst or that a bad programmer could not become a good analyst. Most systems analysts need to be proficient in one or more high-level programming languages.

Analytical skills Understanding of organizations. Problem solving skills System thinking Ability to see organizations and information systems as systems

Analytical Skills The systems analyst must have the ability to take a large business problem, break that problem down into its component parts, analyze the various aspects of the problem, and then assemble an improved system to solve the problem. The systems analyst must learn to analyze problems in terms of causes and effects rather than in terms of simple remedies. The systems analyst must be well organized. System analysts must be able to creatively define alternative solutions to problems and needs.

Interpersonal Communications Skills The systems analyst must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. The systems analyst should have a good command of the English language. Almost without exception, communications skills, not technical skills, prove to be the single biggest factor in career success or failure.

Interpersonal Communications Skills The systems analyst must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. The systems analyst should have a good command of the English language. Almost without exception, communications skills, not technical skills, prove to be the single biggest factor in career success or failure.

Interpersonal Relations Skills Systems work is people-oriented and systems analysts must be extroverted or people-oriented. Interpersonal skills help systems analysts work effectively with people. Interpersonal skills are also important because of the political nature of the systems analyst's job. The systems analyst's first responsibility is to the business, its management, and its workers. The systems analyst must mediate problems between team problems and achieve benefits for the business as a whole.

Management Skills Planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, reporting: necessary but not sufficient Need human interaction skills Respect Understanding Involvement

Skills and the Manager 16

Technical Skills – ability to accomplish or understand tasks relevant to the organization Interpersonal Skills – ability to communicate understand, and motivate other people, individually and in groups 17

Conceptual Skills – the ability to understand the big picture, ability to analyze and diagnose the overall workings of the organization and its environment Diagnostic Skills – the ability to recognize the symptoms of a problem then determine a way to fix it 18

Communication Skills – ability to both effectively convey ideas and information to others and to receive ideas and information from others Decision-making Skills - the ability to correctly recognize and define problems and opportunities and then select appropriate courses of action Time Management Skills – the ability to prioritize work, to work efficiently, and to delegate appropriately 19

Flexibility and Adaptability Skills No two systems development projects encountered by a systems analyst are identical. There is no single, magical approach or solution applicable to systems development. Successful systems analysts learn to be flexible and adapt to special challenges or situations presented by specific systems development projects. The systems analyst must be able to recognize when variations upon (or single-instance exceptions to) development standards are necessary and beneficial to a particular project. The systems analyst must be aware of the implications of not following the standards.

Character and Ethics The nature of the systems analyst's job requires a strong character and sense of ethics. Ethics is a personal character trait in which an individual(s) understands the difference between ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ and acts accordingly. Systems analysts must be very careful not to share their organization’s sensitive and secret information with others, either within or outside the organization. Systems analysts must be very careful not to tell sensitive and private data and information about customers, suppliers, employees with the wrong people