Chapter 1

Introduction to Systems Analysis

and Design

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inElmira
} Describe the impact of information
technology
} Define systems analysis and design and the
role of a systems analyst
} Distinguish among structured analysis,
object-oriented analysis, and agile methods
} Explain the waterfall model, and how it has
evolved
} Discuss the role of the information
technology department and the systems
analysts who work there
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} Information helps
companies:
• Increase productivity
• Deliver quality products
and services
• Maintain customer loyalty
• Make sound54155651
decisions
• Use of information
technology is vital for
organizational success FIGURE 1-1 These headlines show the
enormous impact of information
technology on our lives.

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} Information Technology (IT)
◦ Combination of hardware and software products
and services used to manage, access,
communicate, and share information
} Changing Nature of Information Technology
◦ Change is dramatic and continuous
◦ Advances influence change in
business organizations

FIGURE 1-2 An employee clocking

in with a punch card in 1953.
ClassicStock.com/Superstock

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 IT
} Systems Analysis and Design
◦ Step-by-step process for developing high-quality
information systems
‘ Information systems: Combination of technology,
in 3 people, and data to perform certain business functions
} What Does a Systems Analyst Do?
◦ Plans, develops, and maintains information systems
◦ Manages IT projects, including tasks, resources,
schedules, and costs
◦ Conducts meetings, delivers presentations, and
writes memos, reports, and documentation
651
f
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 1 12
} Modeling
◦ Graphical representation
of a concept or process
‘ Business model
‘ Data model
‘ Object model
‘ Network model
‘ Process model
FIGURE 1-15 Microsoft Visio allows you to
drag and drop various symbols and connect
That developers understand them to show a business process.
Source: Microsoft Visio 2010
- Although the models might appear
to overlap, they actually work
together to describe
the same environment from di erent
points of view.
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 His
t.IE
} Prototyping 24 I
◦ Early working version of an information system
‘ Disadvantage - Important decisions might be made
before business or IT issues are thoroughly
understood
◦ A prototype based on careful fact-finding and
modeling techniques can be an extremely valuable
tool

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 11621
} Computer-Aided Systems Engineering (CASE)
Tools compiled
◦ Known as computer-aided software engineering
◦ Provide an overall framework for systems
development
◦ Support design methodologies
‘ Structured analysis
‘ Object-oriented analysis
◦ Generate program code
‘ Speeds the implementation process

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Structured Object-Oriented
Analysis (O-O) Analysis

Agile/Adaptive
Methods

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} Structured Analysis
◦ Time-tested and easy to understand
◦ Uses the systems development life cycle (SDLC)
◦ Based on predictive
approach
◦ Process-centered
technique
‘ Uses process models
to graphically describe
a system FIGURE 1-18 This Visible Analyst screen
shows a process model for a school registration
system. The REGISTER STUDENTS process
accepts input data from two sources and
transforms it into output data.
Source: Visible Systems Corporation

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◦ Addresses data organization and structure,
relational database design, and user interface
issues
◦ The SDLC describes activities and functions that all
systems developers perform, regardless of which
approach they use

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 SOL
sb A FIGURE 1-19 Development
phases and deliverables are
shown in the waterfall model.
The circular symbols indicate
interaction among the phases.
5L

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} Steps in the SDLC Model
◦ Systems planning
‘ Initiated by a systems request
‘ Goal - To perform a preliminary investigation
‘ Feasibility study: Reviews anticipated costs and
benefits and recommends a course of action
◦ Systems analysis
‘ Goal – To build a logical model of the new system
‘ Requirements modeling: Analyst investigates business
processes and documents the functions to be
performed by the new system
‘ Deliverable - System requirements document
5462 Is I
261
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◦ Systems design
‘ Goal – To create a physical model that satisfies all
documented requirements
‘ User interface is designed and application architecture
is determined
‘ Outputs, inputs, and processes are identified
‘ Deliverable - System design specification
‘ Management and user involvement is critical

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◦ Systems implementation
‘ New system is constructed, programs are written,
tested, and documented, and the system is installed
‘ Deliverable - A completely functional and documented
information system
‘ Includes systems evaluation
◦ Systems support and security
‘ IT staff maintains, enhances, and protects the system
‘ A well-designed system must be secure, reliable,
maintainable, and scalable
www 6

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} Object-Oriented Analysis
◦ Combines data and the
processes that act on the
data into objects
‘ Object: Member of a class,
which possesses properties
‘ O-O methodology
provides easy transition
FIGURE 1-20 The PERSON class includes
to O-O programming INSTRUCTOR and STUDENT objects, which
languages like Java have their own properties and inherited
properties.

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 FIGURE 1-21 In a typical O-O development
model, planning, analysis, and design tasks
interact continuously to generate prototypes
that can be tested.

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} Agile Methods
◦ Involve building and constantly adjusting a series of
prototypes to user requirements
◦ Use a spiral model
‘ Spiral model: Series of iterations based on user
feedback
‘ Feedback from prior steps is incorporated in each
incremental step
◦ Allow developers to be more flexible and
responsive

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 ◦ Disadvantages
‘ Riskier than traditional methods
‘ Weak documentation and blurred lines of
accountability
‘ Lack of emphasis on the larger business picture
} Other Development Methods
◦ Joint application development (JAD)
‘ Focuses on team-based fact-finding
◦ Rapid application development (RAD)
‘ A compressed version of the entire development
process

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FIGURE 1-23 Depending on its size, an IT department might have separate organizational
units for these functions, or they might be combined into a smaller number of teams.

The IT department develop and main train

information systems
It has di erent structures from company to
another
Even the name may be di erent
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} Application Development
◦ Systems are developed by teams consisting of
users, managers, and IT staff members
} Systems Support and Security
◦ Provides vital protection and maintenance services
} User Support
◦ Provides users with technical information, training,
and productivity support
‘ Known as a help desk

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} Database Administration
◦ Involves data design, management, security,
backup, and access systems
} Network Administration
◦ Includes hardware and software maintenance,
support, and security
} Web Support
◦ Web support specialists design and construct Web
pages
‘ Monitor traffic and manage hardware and software
‘ Link Web-based applications information systems to
the company’s information systems

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} Quality Assurance (QA)
◦ QA team reviews and tests all applications and
systems changes to verify specifications and
software quality standards

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} Investigates, analyzes, designs, develops,
installs, evaluates, and maintains a
company’s information systems
} Constantly interacts with users and
managers within and outside the
organization

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} Roles
◦ Acts a translators to managers and programmers
◦ A company’s best line of defense in an IT disaster
◦ Most valuable skill - The ability to listen
◦ Seeks feedback from users to ensure that
systems do not deviate from accomplishing set
objectives
} Knowledge, Skills, and Education
◦ Technical knowledge
◦ Communication and business skills
◦ Critical thinking skills

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 ◦ Education - A college degree in information
systems, science, or business
‘ Some IT experience is required
} Certification
◦ Helps IT professionals learn new skills and gain
recognition for their efforts

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} Career Opportunities
◦ Companies will need systems analysts to apply new
information technology
◦ Explosion in e-commerce will fuel IT job growth
◦ Important factors
‘ Job titles
‘ Company organization
‘ Company size
‘ Salary, location and future Growth
‘ Corporate culture

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} IT - Combination of hardware and software
resources
◦ Used by companies to manage, access,
communicate, and share information
} Successful companies offer a mix of
products, technical and financial services,
consulting, and customer support

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} Systems analysts use modelling, prototyping,
and computer-aided systems engineering
(CASE) tools
} Popular system development approaches
◦ Structured analysis, object-oriented analysis, and
agile methods
} In addition to technical knowledge, a systems
analyst must understand the business, think
critically, and communicate effectively

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