1. CIS300 System Analysis and Design Methods
Week 1

2. Chapter 1 -- Senario p. 3

3. The Systems Analyst - A Key Resource7
The Systems Analyst - A Key Resource
The systems analyst performs systems analysis and design.
Systems analysis is the study of a business problem domain for the purpose of recommending improvements and specifying the business requirements for the solution.
Systems design is the specification or construction of a technical, computer-based solution for the business requirements identified in a systems analysis. (Note: Increasingly, the design takes the form of a working prototype.). 7
Some of you will routinely work with systems analysts. The rest of you will be customers of systems analysts who will try to help you solve your business and industrial problems by creating and improving your access to the data and information needed to do your job. This chapter is about systems analysts and their customers.

4. The Systems Analyst As A Modern Business Problem Solver
Why do businesses need Systems Analysts?
The system analyst bridges the communications gap between those who need the computer and those who understand the technology. 8
The first systems analysts were born out of the industrial revolution. They were not concerned with computers or computer-based systems. Instead, they were industrial engineers whose responsibilities centered around the design of efficient and effective manufacturing systems. Information systems analysts evolved from the need to improve the use of computer resources for the information-processing needs of business applications. In other words, they designed computer-based systems that manufacture information.
Information technology offers the opportunity to collect and store enormous volumes of data, process business transactions with great speed and accuracy, and provide timely and relevant information for management. Unfortunately, this potential has not been fully or even adequately realized in most businesses. Why? Business users may not fully understand the capabilities and limitations of modern information technology. Similarly, computer programmers and information technologists frequently do not understand the business applications they are trying to computerize or support. Worse still, some computer professionals become overly preoccupied with technology.

5. The Systems Analyst As A Modern Business Problem Solver
What is a Systems Analyst?
Systems analysts are people who understand both business and computing.
Systems analysts study business problems and opportunities and then transform business and information requirements of the business into the computer-based information systems and computer applications that are implemented by various technical specialists including computer programmers. 8
No additional notes provided.

6. The Systems Analyst As A Modern Business Problem Solver8
The Systems Analyst As A Modern Business Problem Solver
What is a 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. 8
No additional notes provided.

7. What Does A System Analyst Do?9
A system analyst is a system-oriented 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.
Use: A systems development life cycle (SDLC) is a systematic and orderly approach to solving system problems.

8. The SDLC :
Planning - identify the scope and boundary of the problem, and plan the development strategy and goals.
Analysis - study and analyze the problems, causes, and effects. Then, identify and analyze the requirements that must be fulfilled by any successful solution.

9. SDLC
Design - if necessary, design the solution not all solutions require design.
Implementation - implement the solution.
Support - analyze the implemented solution, refine the design, and implement improvements to the solution. Different support situations can thread back into the previous steps.

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11. Time Out for Video

12. In house--traditional or cross functional
13-14
Outsourcing is the act of contracting a service or function to an external third party.
Typically, the business must retain enough of a central Information Services unit to monitor and manage the outsourcing agreement.
Some mission critical information services functions and projects may not be outsourced.

13. System owners provide sponsorship16
Customers – Users and Management
A user is a person, or group of persons, for whom the systems analyst builds and maintains business information systems and computer applications. A common system is client.
System users
System owners provide sponsorship

14. Total Quality Management (TQM)18
One of the majors business trends of the 1990s is Total Quality Management.
Total Quality Management or TQM is a comprehensive approach to facilitating quality improvements and management within a business.
TQM commitments require every business function, including information services, identify quality indicators, measure quality, and make appropriate changes to improve quality.

15. Business Process Redesign (BPR)
Total quality management has forced many businesses to radically rethink and redesign their fundamental business processes.
Business process redesign is the study, analysis, and redesign of fundamental business processes to reduce costs and improve value added to the business.

16. A BPR project begins with identification of a value chain, a combination of processes that should result in some value to the business.
The business processes are documented and analyzed in excruciating detail.
The business processes are subsequently streamlined for maximum efficiency.
The new business processes are analyzed for opportunities for further improvement through information technology.

17. Systems analysts figure prominently in BPR because:
Systems analysts are often included in BPR projects because their ‘system’ perspective is valued.
The skill competencies for BPR and systems analysis and design are somewhat similar.
A typical BPR project identifies several opportunities for new and revised computer applications (which systems analysts facilitate).

18. Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) 19
Continuous Process Improvement (CPI)
Another TQM related trend is continuous process improvement.
Continuous process improvement is the continuous monitoring of business processes to affect small but measurable improvements to cost reduction and value added.
In a sense, CPI is the opposite of BPR.
BPR is intended to implement dramatic change.
CPI implements a continuous series of smaller changes.

19. Continuous Process Improvement (CPI)
Continuous improvement contributes to both cost reductions, improved efficiencies, and increased value and profit.
Systems analysts may be called upon to participate in continuous process improvement initiatives for any business process, including the design and implementation of improvements to associated computer applications.

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21. Preparing for a Career 21 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.

22. Computer Programming Experience and Expertise
General Business Knowledge
Problem-Solving Skills
Interpersonal Communications Skills
Interpersonal Relations Skills
Flexibility and Adaptability
Character and Ethics

23. Systems Analysis and Design Skills 25
Systems Analysis and Design Skills
All systems analysts need thorough and ongoing training in systems analysis and design.
Systems analysis and design skills can be conveniently factored into three subsets:
concepts and principles
tools
Techniques
(End of chapter one)

24. Exercise and Group Work28
Exercise and Group Work
Exercise 6 and 9 (page 28)
Either MiniCase 1 or 2 (29-30)
Extra Credit: Project 1, 2, 3, or 4

25. Chapter 2 Senario p. 33

26. Chapter 2 What is the difference between Data and Information?
37-8
What is the difference between Data and Information?
Data are raw facts about the organization and its business transactions. Most data items have little meaning and use by themselves.
Information is data that has been refined and organized by processing and purposeful intelligence.

27. Types of Information Systems
Transaction Processing Systems
Management Information Systems
Decision Support Systems
Expert Systems

28. 42
System Owners
System Users

29. System Designers
System designers translate users' business requirements and constraints into technical solutions. They design the computer files, databases, inputs, outputs, screens, networks, and programs that will meet the system users' requirements. They also integrate the technical solution back into the day-to-day business environment
System Builders

30. 44,51

31. 54

32. 58

33. 62

34. 65

35. Group Time to choose Project
Exercise 11, 12, 13 (page 68)
MiniCase 2 or 3
Group Time to choose Project
End of Chapter Two