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Systems Analysis and Design

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Tendai Alick c19137831u
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Systems Analysis and Design

Uploaded by

Tendai Alick c19137831u
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

Systems Analysis is the detailed investigating the current system to determine is problems,
requirements and the best way of solving the problems.

System: A groups of elements working together to achieve a common goal.

Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

This refers to the stages through which a system develops from ‘birth’ to ‘death’, i.e. from the moment
the system is incepted until it is modified or replaced with a new one.

Can also be referred to as the Waterfall Model

The stages, in their order, include:

 Problem identification,
 Fact Finding
 feasibility study,
 analysis,
 design,
 Development and testing
 Documentation and user training
 implementation,
 Evaluation/review/maintenance.

Below is a diagram that indicates the SDLC stages

1. Problem identification/Recognition/Definition/Realisation:
This is where the problems of the current system are stated. These might have been realised by
system users or by managers. The system might be producing wrong results. This includes the
general statement of the problems being experienced by the system.
2. Fact Finding/Data Collection/Investigation
This is the stage whereby the analyst collects data from users, management and the
stakeholders, about the current system. Each data collection procedure is appropriate for a
given situation, not in all cases. A number of data collection techniques are employed, including
the following: Questionnaire, interview, Record inspection and Observation. Some automatic
data collection procedures may be used also.
Data collection methods

i. Interview: This refers to the face-to-face communication between two or more people
in order to obtain information. Interviews can also be done over the phone but the most
common ones are face to face. Interviews are done when you want to collect
information from a very small population sample.
Advantages of Interviews
 The researcher can ask for clarification on some points that may not be clear.
 Encourages good rapport between the researcher and the respondent.
 Non-verbal gestures like facial expressions can help the researcher to determine if
the respondent is telling the truth.
 Information can be collected even from the illiterate since the respondent’s
language could be used.
 First-hand information is collected.
 The researcher can probe to get more information.
 Disadvantages of Interviews
 It is impossible to remain anonymous on the part of the interviewee.
 It is expensive since the researcher has to travel to the interview venue.
 It is time consuming as more time is spent travelling and carrying out the interview.
 Good interview techniques are required as failure may lead to disappointments. ]
 Biased information can be given since the respondent may not tell the truth.

ii. Record/Document inspection:

 A fact finding method which involves scrutinising system documents in order to solicit
information. Record inspection has the following

Advantages:

 Accurate information is collected from system records.


 First-hand information is obtained Disadvantages of record inspection
 It is time consuming to go through all system records.
 Manual files can be tiresome to go through and some of the data may be illegible.
 Confidential files are not given to the researcher
iii. Questionnaire:
A document with carefully crafted questions to be answered by the respondent by filling
on the spaces provided. Questionnaires are used when collecting information from a
widely spaced population sample and when collecting information from many people. A
questionnaire contains open-ended and closed questions. Open-ended questions are
gap filling questions which require the respondent to express his or her own view.
Closed questions are guided questions where the respondent just chooses Yes or No,
True or False, or by just putting a tick on given options. Questionnaires can be
distributed personally or by post.
Advantages of questionnaires
 Questions are very simple and faster to answer.
 It saves time as questionnaires can be distributes and then collected later.
 Respondents can fill questionnaires at their own pace.
 Give guarantees confidential of information, thereby encouraging respondents to give
accurate information.
 They are cheap to use when collecting data from a very large sample
Disadvantages of questionnaires
 Some questions are left blank.
 Some questionnaires may not be returned at all.
 Biased information can be collected as people may lie.
 Respondents usually do not fill the correct information.
 It is difficult to analyse information collect using questionnaires.
 They are expensive to use if the postal system is used.
 Abusive information can be filled by respondents.
 It is difficult to prepare a good questionnaire
iv. Observations: It is a fact finding method that involves viewing the actual system in
operation by the researcher. The researcher can even take part in operating the system.
It is used when the researcher wants to see for himself how the system operates.
Advantages of observations
 First-hand information is collected.
 Accurate information can be obtained.
 Areas of interest can be observed.
 The researcher can take part in operating the system thereby getting insight on how
the system operates.
 the analyst obtains reliable data
 it is possible to see exactly what is being done Disadvantages of observations
 People work differently if they feel that they are being observed, therefore
inaccurate information can be collected.
 The researcher may not understand some of the activities being observed.
 It is time consuming to collect the required information.  The researcher may
interrupt some of the activities being done.
 if workers perform tasks that violate standard procedures, they may not do this
when being watched!!

3. Feasibility Study: It involves an evaluation of proposals to determine if it possible to construct a


new system or just modification of the existing one. Feasibility can be measured by making the
following considerations:
Economic feasibility: determining whether the benefits of the new system will out-weigh the
estimated cost involved in developing, purchasing, assembling requirements, installing and
maintenance of the new system. The cost-benefits analysis is carried out. Benefits can be
tangible and quantifiable, e.g. profits in terms of monetary values, fewer processing errors,
increased production, increased response time, etc. Other benefits are intangible, e.g. improved
customer goodwill, employee moral, job satisfaction, better service to the community, etc.

Technical feasibility: determines if the organization can obtain software, equipment and
personnel to develop, install and operate the system and even to maintain it. Social feasibility: a
measure of the system’s acceptance by the general public; if it will meet the norms and values
of the society.
Legal feasibility: This is determining if the system can conform to the laws and statutes of the
country. This is done by considering government legislation, e.g. Data processing system must
comply with the local Data Protection Acts
Operational feasibility: determines whether the current work practices and procedures are
adequate to support the system, e.g., effects on social lives of those affected by the system, can
it work well with existing hardware, etc.

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