SADCHAP01
SADCHAP01
Edition
Chapter 1
Introduction to Systems Analysis and
Design
Chapter Objectives
• Discuss the impact of information technology on
business strategy and success
• Define an information system and describe its
components
• Explain how profiles and models can represent
business functions and operations
• Explain how the Internet has affected business
strategies and relationships
• Identify various types of information systems and
explain who uses them
2
Chapter Objectives
• Distinguish between structured analysis,
object-oriented analysis, and agile methods
• Compare the traditional waterfall model with
agile methods and models
• Apply five basic guidelines for systems
development
• Discuss the role of the information technology
department and the systems analysts who work
there
3
Introduction
• Companies use information
as a weapon in the battle
to increase productivity,
deliver quality products
and services, maintain
customer loyalty, and make
sound decisions
• Information technology
can mean the difference
between success and
failure
4
The Impact of Information Technology
• Information Technology (IT)
– Combination of hardware and software products
and services that companies use to manage,
access, communicate, and share information
• The Future
– Three issues that will shape the future
• Changes in world
• Changes in technology
• Changes in client demand
5
The Impact of Information Technology
• Systems Development
– Business information systems are developed by
people who are technically qualified, business-
oriented, and highly motivated
– Must be good communicators with strong
analytical and critical thinking skills
6
The Impact of Information Technology
• Systems Analysis and Design
– Systems Analysis and Design
• Step-by-step process for developing high-quality
information systems
– Systems Analyst
• Plan, develop, and maintain information systems
7
The Impact of Information Technology
• Who develops Information Systems?
– In-house applications
– Software packages
– Internet-based application services
– Outsourcing
– Custom solutions
– Enterprise-wide software strategies
– How versus What
8
The Impact of Information Technology
• Who develops Information Systems?
– In-house applications refer to software applications or
systems that are developed internally by an organization's
own team of developers or IT professionals. These
applications are designed, built, and maintained
specifically to meet the unique needs and requirements of
the organization. In-house applications offer full control
over customization, security, and integration with existing
systems but require significant investment in development
resources, time, and ongoing maintenance.
9
The Impact of Information Technology
• Who develops Information Systems?
– Software packages are pre-built, off-the-shelf software
solutions developed by third-party vendors to address
common business needs or specific industry requirements.
These packages offer ready-made functionalities and
features that can be easily deployed and configured within
an organization without the need for extensive
customization. Examples include enterprise resource
planning (ERP) systems, customer relationship
management (CRM) software, and accounting software.
Software packages provide cost-effective and time-efficient
solutions but may require adaptation to fit unique business
processes. 10
The Impact of Information Technology
• Who develops Information Systems?
– Internet-based application services, also known as
Software as a Service (SaaS), are software applications
hosted and accessed over the internet through a
subscription-based model. Users access these applications
through web browsers without the need for installation or
maintenance of software on local devices. Examples
include cloud-based productivity suites like Google
Workspace and collaboration tools like Slack. Internet-
based application services offer scalability, accessibility,
and cost-effectiveness but may raise concerns about data
security and dependency on internet connectivity.
11
The Impact of Information Technology
• Who develops Information Systems?
– Outsourcing involves delegating specific business
functions, tasks, or processes to external third-party
vendors or service providers. Organizations outsource
various activities such as software development, customer
support, and back-office operations to leverage specialized
expertise, reduce costs, and focus on core business
activities. Outsourcing can be onshore, nearshore, or
offshore, depending on the location of the service
provider. Effective outsourcing requires careful vendor
selection, clear communication, and ongoing management
to ensure quality and alignment with business objectives.
12
The Impact of Information Technology
• Who develops Information Systems?
– Custom solutions refer to software applications or systems
that are tailor-made to meet the unique needs and
requirements of a specific organization. These solutions
are developed from scratch or through extensive
customization of existing software to align closely with the
organization's business processes and objectives. Custom
solutions offer maximum flexibility, scalability, and
alignment with business goals but typically require
significant investment in development time, resources,
and expertise.
13
The Impact of Information Technology
• Who develops Information Systems?
– Enterprise-wide software strategies involve the systematic
planning, implementation, and management of software
applications and systems across an entire organization.
These strategies aim to streamline processes, improve
efficiency, and drive innovation by standardizing software
platforms, integrating disparate systems, and aligning
technology initiatives with business objectives. Enterprise-
wide software strategies encompass aspects such as
software selection, deployment, governance, and lifecycle
management to ensure maximum value and return on
investment.
14
The Impact of Information Technology
• Who develops Information Systems?
– The distinction between "how" and "what" refers to the
differentiation between the means or methods used to
achieve a goal (how) and the goal or outcome itself (what).
In the context of software development and technology
strategy, understanding the "how" involves considering the
specific tools, technologies, processes, and methodologies
employed to build and deploy software solutions. On the
other hand, understanding the "what" entails focusing on
the desired functionality, features, requirements, and
objectives of the software solution. Balancing the "how"
and "what" is essential for effective decision-making,
resource allocation, and alignment with business goals
throughout the software development lifecycle. 15
Information System Components
• A system is a set of related components that
produces specific results
• A Mission-critical system is one that is vital to a
company’s operations
• Data consists of basic facts that are the system’s raw
material
• Information is data that has been transformed into
output that is valuable to users
• Information systems have five key components:
hardware, software, data, processes, and people
16
Information System Components
• Hardware
– Is the physical layer of
the information system
– Moore’s Law
• Software
– System software
– Application software
– Enterprise applications
17
Information System Components
• Software
– System software
– System software refers to a type of software designed to
provide a platform for running computer hardware and
enabling the execution of application software. It includes
operating systems, device drivers, utilities, and other
essential programs that manage computer resources and
facilitate interaction between hardware components and
software applications.
18
Information System Components
• Software
– Application software
– Application software refers to programs and software
packages designed to perform specific tasks or provide
functionality for end-users. Unlike system software, which
focuses on managing computer hardware and resources,
application software is tailored to meet user needs and
objectives, enabling users to accomplish various tasks,
such as word processing, spreadsheet analysis, web
browsing, and multimedia editing.
– Enterprise applications
19
Information System Components
• Software
– Enterprise applications
– Enterprise applications, also known as enterprise software
or business applications, are software systems designed to
support and streamline various business processes and
functions within organizations. These applications are
typically complex, scalable, and integrated solutions that
span multiple departments and functions, aiming to
improve efficiency, collaboration, and decision-making
across the enterprise.
20
Information System Components
• Software
– Horizontal system
– Vertical system
– Legacy systems
• Data
– Tables store data
– Linked tables work
together to supply
data
21
Information System Components
– Horizontal system
• Horizontal system also known as a horizontal application or
horizontal software, refers to a type of software solution
that is designed to be applicable across various industries
or business functions. Horizontal systems typically provide
generic functionalities that can be adapted and customized
to meet the specific needs of different organizations,
regardless of their industry or domain.
22
Information System Components
– Horizontal system
• Horizontal systems offer broad-based capabilities that cater to
common business requirements, such as accounting, human
resources, customer relationship management, and collaboration.
Horizontal systems include general-purpose software suites like
Microsoft Office, which includes applications such as Word, Excel, and
PowerPoint, as well as collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams
and Slack.
• Horizontal systems are characterized by their versatility, scalability, and
flexibility, making them suitable for a wide range of businesses and
industries.
• These systems often serve as foundational tools for organizations,
providing essential functionalities that support day-to-day operations
and business processes across different departments and functions.
23
Information System Components
– Vertical system
• A vertical system also known as a vertical
application or industry-specific software, refers to
a type of software solution that is tailored to meet
the specialized needs and requirements of a
specific industry or vertical market. Vertical
systems are designed to address the unique
workflows, regulations, and challenges of
particular industries, providing specialized
functionalities and features that are not typically
found in horizontal systems.
24
Information System Components
– Vertical system
• Vertical systems are customized to support the
specific business processes and operations of
industries such as healthcare, finance,
manufacturing, retail, and hospitality. Examples of
vertical systems include electronic health record
(EHR) systems for healthcare providers, point-of-
sale (POS) systems for retailers, manufacturing
execution systems (MES) for manufacturers, and
property management systems (PMS) for hotels.
25
Information System Components
– Vertical system
• Vertical systems often integrate industry-specific
standards, regulations, and best practices,
enabling organizations to streamline operations,
improve efficiency, and maintain compliance with
industry requirements. While vertical systems may
offer deeper functionality and specialization than
horizontal systems, they may also require more
customization and integration efforts to meet the
unique needs of individual organizations within a
specific industry.
26
Information System Components
– Legacy systems
• refer to outdated or obsolete computer systems,
software applications, or technologies that are still
in use within an organization despite being
surpassed by newer technologies or systems.
Legacy systems are often characterized by
outdated hardware, software, or architectures
that may no longer be supported by vendors or
meet current business needs and requirements.
27
Information System Components
– Legacy systems
• Legacy systems can pose significant challenges for
organizations in terms of maintenance, support,
and compatibility with modern technologies.
These systems may lack integration capabilities,
scalability, and security features, hindering
organizational agility and innovation. Legacy
systems are commonly found in industries with
long technology lifecycles, such as government,
healthcare, and finance, where legacy applications
may still be critical for day-to-day operations.
28
Information System Components
• Modernization strategies, such as system
migration, re-platforming, or replacement, are
often necessary to address the limitations of
legacy systems and enable organizations to
leverage the benefits of newer technologies and
architectures. However, legacy systems may also
contain valuable data and business logic that need
to be preserved or integrated into new systems to
ensure continuity and minimize disruption to
operations.
29
Information System Components
• Processes
– Describe the tasks and
business functions that
users, managers, and IT
staff members perform
to achieve specific
results
• People
– Stakeholders
– Users, or end users
30
Understanding The Business
• Business Process Modeling
• Business Profile
• Business Models
– Business model
– Business process
– Business process reengineering (BPR)
31
Understanding The Business
• New Kinds of
Companies
– Production-oriented
– Service-oriented
– Internet-dependent
– Dot-com (.com)
– Brick-and-mortar
32
Understanding The Business
• New Kinds of Companies
– Production-oriented
– Production-oriented refers to a business approach or
organizational focus that prioritizes the efficient
manufacturing or production of goods. In a production-
oriented organization, the primary emphasis is on
optimizing production processes, increasing output, and
minimizing costs to meet market demand and achieve
economies of scale.
33
Understanding The Business
• New Kinds of Companies
– Service-oriented
– Service-oriented refers to a business model or approach
that focuses on delivering intangible services or expertise
to customers, rather than tangible goods. In a service-
oriented organization, the primary emphasis is on
understanding and meeting customer needs through the
provision of high-quality services, solutions, and
experiences.
34
Understanding The Business
• New Kinds of Companies
– Internet-dependent
– Internet-dependent refers to businesses or activities that
rely heavily on the internet for their operations,
communications, and interactions with customers,
suppliers, and partners. In an internet-dependent
environment, organizations leverage internet technologies
and online platforms to conduct transactions, deliver
services, and exchange information in real-time.
35
Understanding The Business
• New Kinds of Companies
– Dot-com (.com)
– Dot-com, often abbreviated as .com, refers to a top-level
domain (TLD) used primarily for commercial websites and
businesses on the internet. The .com domain extension
has become synonymous with internet commerce,
representing a wide range of online businesses, e-
commerce platforms, and digital services.
36
Understanding The Business
• New Kinds of Companies
– Dot-com businesses emerged during the dot-com boom of
the late 1990s and early 2000s, which saw a rapid
proliferation of internet startups and e-commerce
ventures.
– Today, the .com domain remains one of the most popular
and widely recognized TLDs, with millions of registered
domain names representing businesses, brands, and
organizations operating in various industries worldwide.
37
Understanding The Business
• New Kinds of Companies
• Dot-com businesses encompass a diverse range of sectors,
including retail, technology, media, finance, and
entertainment, leveraging the internet to reach global
audiences, drive online sales, and deliver digital products
and services..
38
Understanding The Business
• New Kinds of Companies
– Brick-and-mortar
– Brick-and-mortar refers to traditional physical businesses
or retail establishments that operate from physical
locations, such as storefronts, offices, or commercial
properties, rather than exclusively online or through digital
channels.
39
Understanding The Business
• New Kinds of Companies
– Brick-and-mortar businesses have been a cornerstone of
commerce for centuries, encompassing a wide range of
industries, including retail, hospitality, healthcare, and
professional services.
– These businesses rely on physical locations to attract
customers, showcase products, provide services, and
conduct transactions in-person.
40
Understanding The Business
• New Kinds of Companies
– Brick-and-mortar establishments may also leverage online
channels, such as websites and social media, to
complement their offline presence, reach new customers,
and enhance customer engagement.
– Despite the growth of e-commerce and digital
technologies, brick-and-mortar businesses continue to play
a vital role in local economies, communities, and consumer
experiences, offering tangible goods, personalized
services, and face-to-face interactions.
41
Impact of the Internet
• E-Commerce or I-Commerce
• B2C (Business-to-Consumer)
• B2B (Business-to-Business)
– EDI
– Extensible markup language (XML)
– Supply chain management (SCM)
– Supplier relationship management (SRM)
42
Impact of the Internet
– EDI
– Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a standardized
electronic communication method used by
businesses to exchange structured data
electronically in a predefined format. EDI allows
for the seamless transmission of business
documents, such as purchase orders, invoices,
shipping notices, and payment confirmations,
between trading partners without the need for
human intervention.
43
Impact of the Internet
– EDI
– EDI streamlines the exchange of business
information between organizations, automating
manual processes, reducing errors, and improving
efficiency and accuracy in transactions.
– EDI documents are typically formatted according
to standard data interchange formats, such as
ANSI X12, EDIFACT, or XML, enabling
interoperability and compatibility between
different systems and platforms.
44
Impact of the Internet
– EDI is widely used in industries such as
manufacturing, retail, logistics, and finance, where
efficient communication and collaboration with
suppliers, customers, and partners are critical for
business success.
45
Impact of the Internet
– Extensible markup language (XML)
• Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a versatile,
platform-independent markup language used for
encoding and structuring data in a human-
readable format. XML facilitates the exchange of
structured data between different systems and
applications, enabling seamless interoperability
and data integration across diverse platforms and
technologies.
46
Impact of the Internet
• XML provides a flexible and extensible framework
for defining document structures and data
elements using customizable tags and attributes.
• XML documents are hierarchical and self-
descriptive, making them suitable for representing
complex data structures and relationships.
• XML is widely used in various domains and
applications, including web development, data
interchange, document management, and
configuration files.
47
Impact of the Internet
• XML is often used in conjunction with other
technologies, such as XSLT (Extensible Stylesheet
Language Transformations) for data
transformation, XPath for querying XML
documents, and XML Schema for defining data
validation rules and constraints.
48
Impact of the Internet
– Supply Chain Management (SCM)
• Supply Chain Management (SCM) refers to the
strategic planning, coordination, and optimization
of the flow of goods, services, information, and
finances across the entire supply chain, from raw
material suppliers to end customers. SCM
encompasses activities such as procurement,
production, inventory management, logistics,
distribution, and customer service.
49
Impact of the Internet
• SCM aims to ensure the efficient and cost-effective
movement of products and materials through the
supply chain while minimizing risks, maximizing
value, and meeting customer demand.
• SCM involves collaboration and coordination
between multiple stakeholders, including
suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers,
and logistics providers, to synchronize processes,
share information, and deliver products to the
right place, at the right time, and in the right
quantity.
50
Impact of the Internet
• SCM systems leverage technologies such as
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Warehouse
Management Systems (WMS), Transportation
Management Systems (TMS), and Advanced
Planning and Scheduling (APS) software to
streamline operations, optimize resources, and
improve visibility and control across the supply
chain.
51
Impact of the Internet
– Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
• Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) is the
systematic approach and strategic practice of
managing interactions and relationships with
suppliers to maximize the value derived from
supplier partnerships and ensure alignment with
organizational goals and objectives.
52
Impact of the Internet
• SRM involves the establishment, development,
and maintenance of mutually beneficial
relationships with suppliers based on trust,
transparency, collaboration, and continuous
improvement.
• SRM aims to optimize supplier performance,
reduce costs, mitigate risks, and drive innovation
throughout the supply chain.
• SRM encompasses activities such as supplier
selection, qualification, performance evaluation,
contract negotiation, and supplier development.
53
Impact of the Internet
• SRM systems and processes enable organizations
to strategically assess and manage supplier
relationships, identify opportunities for
collaboration and value creation, and address
challenges such as supply chain disruptions,
quality issues, and changing market conditions.
• Effective SRM contributes to improved supply
chain efficiency, resilience, and competitiveness in
dynamic and competitive business environments.
54
Business Information Systems
• In the past, IT managers divided systems into
categories based on the user group the system
served
– Office systems
– Operational systems
– Decision support systems
– Executive information systems
55
Business Information Systems
• Today, identify a system by its functions and
features, rather than by its users
– Enterprise computing systems
– Transaction processing systems
– Business support systems
– Knowledge management systems
– User productivity systems
56
Business Information Systems
• Enterprise computing
systems
– Support company-wide
operations and data
management
requirements
– Enterprise resource
planning (ERP)
– Many hardware and
software vendors target
the enterprise computing
market
57
Business Information Systems
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems: Integrated
software solutions that manage core business processes such as
finance, HR, supply chain, and manufacturing.
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems: Tools for
managing interactions and relationships with customers,
including sales, marketing, and customer service.
• Supply Chain Management (SCM) Systems: Platforms for
optimizing the flow of goods, services, and information across
the supply chain, from procurement to delivery.
• Enterprise Content Management (ECM) Systems: Solutions for
capturing, storing, managing, and distributing documents and
other content within an organization.
58
Business Information Systems
• Transaction processing
systems
– Involve large amounts of
data and are mission-
critical systems
– Efficient because they
process a set of
transaction-related
commands as a group
rather than individually
59
Business Information Systems
• Point of Sale (POS) Systems: Software and hardware solutions
for processing sales transactions, managing inventory, and
accepting payments in retail environments.
• Online Payment Processing Systems: Platforms that facilitate
secure online payments and transactions, including credit
card processing, electronic funds transfer, and mobile
payments.
• Banking Systems: Software used by banks and financial
institutions to manage customer accounts, process
transactions, and perform banking operations.
• Order Management Systems: Systems for processing and
managing orders from customers, including order entry,
fulfillment, and tracking.
60
Business Information Systems
• Business support systems
– Provide job-related information to users at all
levels of a company
– Management information systems (MIS)
– Radio frequency identification (RFID)
– What-if
61
Business Information Systems
• Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS): Software for
managing HR processes such as payroll, employee records,
benefits administration, and performance management.
• Accounting and Financial Systems: Applications for managing
financial transactions, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
• Help Desk and Ticketing Systems: Tools for managing
customer inquiries, technical support requests, and service
tickets.
• Project Management Systems: Platforms for planning,
organizing, and tracking projects, including task management,
scheduling, and collaboration tools.
62
Business Information Systems
• Knowledge management systems
– Called expert systems
– Simulate human reasoning by combining a
knowledge base and inference rules
– Many knowledge management systems use a
technique called fuzzy logic
63
Business Information Systems
• Document Management Systems (DMS): Software for storing,
organizing, and retrieving documents and digital files.
• Knowledge Bases and Wikis: Online repositories of
information and knowledge resources, often collaboratively
edited and maintained by users.
• Content Management Systems (CMS): Platforms for creating,
managing, and publishing digital content, such as websites,
blogs, and intranets.
• Enterprise Search Systems: Tools for indexing and searching
internal repositories and databases to retrieve relevant
information and documents.
64
Business Information Systems
• User productivity systems
– Technology that improves productivity
– Groupware
• Information systems integration
– Most large companies require systems that
combine transaction processing, business support,
knowledge management, and user productivity
features
65
Business Information Systems
• Office Productivity Suites: Software packages that include
tools for word processing, spreadsheet analysis,
presentations, and email communication.
• Collaboration and Communication Tools: Applications for
facilitating real-time communication, file sharing, and
collaboration among team members, including chat, video
conferencing, and project management platforms.
• Time Management and Productivity Apps: Tools for managing
tasks, scheduling appointments, and tracking personal and
professional goals and activities.
• Personal Information Management (PIM) Systems: Software
for organizing and managing personal and professional
information, including contacts, calendars, and notes.
66
Business Information Systems
• These systems are integral to the operations and
management of businesses across various industries,
providing essential functionality and support for key
business processes and activities.
67
What Information Do Users Need?
68
Systems Development Tools
• Modeling
– Business model
– Requirements model
– Data model
– Object model
– Network model
– Process model
69
Systems Development Tools
– Business model
• A business model is a framework for creating, capturing,
and delivering value within a business. It encompasses the
organization's strategy for generating revenue and
achieving profitability. A business model outlines how a
company operates, including its revenue streams, target
customers, value proposition, cost structure, and
distribution channels.
70
Systems Development Tools
– Requirements model
• A requirements model is a representation of the functional
and non-functional requirements of a system or software
product. It defines what the system should do and how it
should perform. Requirements models can take various
forms, including textual descriptions, diagrams, use cases,
and user stories. These models serve as a foundation for
the design, development, and testing of the system,
ensuring that it meets the needs and expectations of its
stakeholders.
71
Systems Development Tools
– Data model
• A data model is a conceptual representation of the data
structures, relationships, and constraints that govern the
storage and manipulation of data within a database or
information system. It defines the organization and
structure of data elements and their interrelationships.
Data models can be represented using various techniques
such as entity-relationship diagrams, relational models,
and object-oriented models. A well-designed data model is
essential for ensuring data integrity, consistency, and
scalability within an organization's information systems.
72
Systems Development Tools
– Object model
• An object model is a conceptual representation of the
objects, classes, properties, and methods that constitute a
software system based on the principles of object-oriented
programming (OOP). It defines the structure and behavior
of objects within the system and how they interact with
each other. Object models typically include class diagrams,
object diagrams, and sequence diagrams to illustrate the
relationships and interactions between objects. Object-
oriented modeling facilitates modular design, code reuse,
and maintainability of software systems.
73
Systems Development Tools
– Network model
• A network model is a representation of the communication
and connectivity architecture of a computer network. It
describes the arrangement of nodes, devices, and
connections within the network, including their physical
and logical configurations. Network models may include
topological diagrams, protocol specifications, and routing
tables to illustrate the network's layout and operation.
They provide a blueprint for designing, implementing, and
managing network infrastructures to ensure efficient data
transmission and resource sharing.
74
Systems Development Tools
– Process model
• A process model is a graphical representation of the
sequential flow of activities, tasks, and events that
comprise a business process or workflow. It defines the
sequence, dependencies, and inputs/outputs of each
process step, illustrating how work is performed and how
information flows within an organization. Process models
can take various forms, such as flowcharts, business
process diagrams, and activity diagrams. They help
organizations analyze, optimize, and automate their
business processes to improve efficiency, quality, and
agility.
75
Systems Development Tools
• These models play crucial roles in various aspects of
business and software development, providing
structured frameworks for understanding, designing,
and implementing complex systems and processes.
They serve as communication tools for stakeholders,
guiding decision-making and facilitating collaboration
among teams. Effective modeling practices are
essential for ensuring the success and sustainability
of modern organizations in today's dynamic and
competitive business environment.
76
Systems Development Tools
• Prototyping
-is the process of creating a preliminary model or
version of a product, system, or idea to test its
functionality, design, and feasibility before full-scale
production or implementation. It allows for rapid
experimentation, iteration, and validation of concepts,
helping to refine and improve the final outcome.
77
Systems Development Tools
– Prototype
– Speeds up the development process significantly
– Important decisions might be made too early
before business or IT issues are thoroughly
understood
– Can be an extremely valuable tool
78
Systems Development Tools
• Computer-Aided Systems Engineering (CASE)
Tools
– Also called computer-aided software engineering
– CASE tools
– Can generate program code, which speeds the
implementation process
79
Systems Development Methods
• Structured Analysis
– Systems development
life cycle (SDLC)
– Predictive approach
– Uses a set of process
models to describe a
system graphically
– Process-centered
technique
– Waterfall model
80
Systems Development Methods
• Structured Analysis
– Deliverable or end product
– Disadvantage in the built-in structure of the SDLC,
because the waterfall model does not emphasize
interactivity among the phases
– This criticism can be valid if the SDLC phases are
followed too rigidly
– Adjacent phases usually interact
81
Systems Development Methods
• Structured Analysis
– The SDLC model usually includes five steps
• Systems planning
• Systems analysis
• Systems design
• Systems implementation
• Systems support and security
82
Systems Development Methods
• Structured Analysis
– Systems Planning
• Systems planning phase
• Systems request – begins the process & describes
problems or desired changes
• Purpose of this phase is to perform a preliminary
investigation
• Key part of preliminary investigation is a feasibility
study
83
Systems Development Methods
• Structured Analysis
– Systems Analysis
• Deliverable is the System requirements document
– Systems Design
• Deliverable is system design specification
• Management and user involvement is critical
84
Systems Development Methods
• Structured Analysis
– Systems Implementation
• New system is constructed
– Systems Support and Security
• A well-designed system must be secure, reliable,
maintainable, and scalable
• Most information systems need to be updated
significantly or replaced after several years of operation
85
Systems Development Methods
• Object-oriented Analysis
– Combines data &
processes that act on the
data into things called
objects
– Object is a member of a
class
– Objects possess
properties
– Methods change an
object’s properties
86
Systems Development Methods
• Object-Oriented Analysis
– A message requests specific behavior or
information from another object
– Usually follow a series of analysis and design
phases that are similar to the SDLC
– Interactive model
87
Systems Development Methods
• Agile Methods
– Are the newest development
– Emphasize continuous feedback
– Iterative development
– Agile community has published the Agile
Manifesto
– Spiral model
88
Systems Development Methods
• Agile Methods
– Agile process determines the end result
– Other adaptive variations and related methods
exist
– Two examples are Scrum and Extreme
Programming (XP)
– Analysts should understand the pros and cons of
any approach before selecting a development
method
89
Systems Development Methods
• Other Development Methods
– Joint application development (JAD)
– Rapid application development (RAD)
– Might encounter other systems development
techniques
– Rational Unified Process (RUP®)
– Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF)
90
Systems Development Guidelines
• Develop a project plan
• Involve users and listen carefully to them
• Use project management tools to identify
tasks and milestones
• Develop accurate cost and benefit information
• Remain flexible
91
Information Technology Department
92
The Systems Analyst
• Responsibilities
– Translate business requirements into IT projects
• Knowledge, Skills, and Education
• Needs technical knowledge, strong oral and
written communication skills and analytic ability,
an understanding of business operations, and
critical thinking skills
• Certification
– Important credential
93
The Systems Analyst
• Career Opportunities
– Job titles
– Company organization
– Company size
– Corporate culture
– Salary, location, and future growth
94
Chapter Summary
• IT refers to the combination of hardware and
software resources that companies use to manage,
access, communicate, and share information
• The essential components of an information
system are hardware, software, data, processes,
and people
• Successful companies offer a mix of products,
technical and financial services, consulting, and
customer support
95
Chapter Summary
• Information systems are identified as
enterprise computing systems, transaction
processing systems, business support systems,
knowledge management systems, or user
productivity systems
• Organization structure includes top managers,
middle managers and knowledge workers,
supervisors and team leaders
96
Chapter Summary
• The IT department develops, maintains and
operates a company’s information systems
• Systems analysts need a combination of
technical and business knowledge, analytical
ability, and communication skills
• Systems analysts need to consider salary,
location, and future growth potential when
making a career decision
97
Chapter Summary
• Chapter 1 complete
98