infs 328 systems analysis and design dynamics, business politics, conflict and change. interpersonal...

College of Education

School of Continuing and Distance Education2017

INFS 328

Systems Analysis and Design

Session 3 – Information Workers and Systems

Analysis and Design

Lecturer: Prof. Ellis Edwin Badu, Dept. of Information Studies Contact Information: eebadu@ug.edu.gh

Session Overview

This session explains systems analysis and design as aconcept. It also discusses the major stakeholders who areresponsible for systems development, their individual role,skills required and expertise.

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Session Outline

The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows:

• Systems Analysis and Design – The Concept

• Information Workers and Systems Analysis and Design

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SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN AS A CONCEPT

Topic One

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Systems Analysis and Design as a Concept

Introduction

This section explains systems analysis and design as aconcept.

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System Analysis and Design – the Concept

Systems Analysis and Design

The term systems analysis and design is usually reservedfor the process of analyzing business procedures with aview to using a computer as a tool for improving efficiencyand effectiveness. The concept is therefore made up oftwo components;

• Systems Analysis

• Systems Design

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System Analysis and Design – the concept

• Systems Analysis

Systems Analysis may be considered as a problem solvingmethodology. It decomposes a system into its componentpieces for the purposes of studying how well thecomponent parts work and interact to accomplish theirpurposes.

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System Analysis and Design – the concept

• Systems Design

Systems Design on the other hand is defined as a problemsolving techniques that reassembles a system componentpieces into an improved system.

The concept has evolved from the classical approach(system life cycle) to the use of structured system analysisand design approach to provide effective and efficientinformation systems. These techniques are used bydifferent information workers to develop new informationsystems

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Questions

Individual Assignment:

Relate your study of the System theory to System Analysisand Design.

Forum Question

Discuss systems analysis and design as a concept.

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INFORMATION WORKERS AND SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

Topic Two

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Information Workers and Systems Analysis and Design

Introduction

This topic discusses the major stakeholders who areresponsible for systems development

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Information Workers and Systems Analysis and Design

Information Workers

Information Workers responsible for the development ofsystem projects are; system owners, system users, ITvendors and consultants, system designers, system buildersand systems Analysts

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Information Workers and Systems Analysis and Design

System Owners

They pay for the system to be developed and maintained.They are the owners of the system and they determine theworking framework and design policies for the use of it.Owners also participate in system design and analysis.They usually initiate the systems process and do provideinformation for the fact finding stage of the analysis.

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Information Workers and Systems Analysis and Design

SYSTEM USERS - these actually use the system to performor support the work to be completed. System users alsoparticipate in the system project by defining businessrequirements and performance expectations for the systemto be built.

IT Vendors and Consultants – these sell hardware,software and services to businesses for incorporation intotheir information systems but are useful when it comes toselecting hardware and software for the organization.

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Information Workers and Systems Analysis and Design

System Designers – design the system to meet the user’s requirements. Examples are Database administrators, Network architects, Security experts.

System Builders - Construct, test and deliver the system into operation . Examples are Application programmers, Network programmers, Security Administrators, System programmers, Software integrators.

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Information Workers and Systems Analysis and Design

System Analysts

these facilitate the development of an information systemand computer applications by bridging the communicationgap that exists between non-technical system owners andusers on one hand and the technical system designers andbuilders on the other. Most of the mainstream textbooksassign all these responsibilities to one person called theSystems Analyst but for large information systems thedivisions are necessary.

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Information Workers and Systems Analysis and Design

System Analysts

They facilitate the development of information systemsthrough the interaction of their information workers. Theyunderstand both business and computing. They solvebusiness problems and opportunities and then transformbusiness and information requirements into specificationsfor information systems that will be implemented byvarious technical specialists including computerprogrammers.

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Information Workers and Systems Analysis and Design

Skills of a System Analysts

In addition to formal system analysis and design skills aSystems Analyst must also have the following knowledge,skills and traits:

• System analyst is an agent of change. He shows usersand management how the new technologies can benefittheir business and their operations. Analyst must befully aware of both existing and emerging informationtechnology.

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Information Workers and Systems Analysis and Design

Skills of a System Analysts

• Computer Programming Experience and Expertise - A SystemAnalyst must have programming experience in order toappropriately prepare adequate business and technicalspecifications for a programmer.

• General knowledge of business processes and terminology - TheSystem Analyst must be able to communicate with businessexperts to understand business problems. The skill may beacquired through basic business literacy courses in college. Suchcourses may include financial accounting, management or costaccounting, finance, marketing, business law, economics, qualitymanagement etc.

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Information Workers and Systems Analysis and Design

Skills of a System Analysts

• General problem-solving skills – these are skills acquiredin college philosophy courses whose content mayinclude problem solving skills, critical thinking andreasoning. These skills will enable one to take a largebusiness problem, break it down and determine problemcauses and effects in order to recommend a solution.

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Information Workers and Systems Analysis and Design

Skills of a System Analysts

• Interpersonal Communication Skills - The Analyst must be able tocommunicate effectively in written and verbal form.Communication skills may be learned in college. These skills willbe in technical speaking, interviewing and listening.

• Good Interpersonal relations Skills – the job of a System Analystinvolves an interaction with all stakeholders therefore it requireseffective interpersonal skills that allow the analyst to deal withgroup dynamics, business politics, conflict and change.Interpersonal skills development courses in subjects such asteamwork, principles of persuasion, managing change and conflictand leadership are very useful.

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Information Workers and Systems Analysis and Design

Skills of a System Analysts• Flexibility and adaptability – A System Analyst must be

flexible and must adapt to unique challenges and situationsas no two projects are alike.

• Character and Ethics – A System Analyst must be able todiscern between right and wrong. Must abide by standardsfor computer ethics. He has to be discreet about confidentialinformation of the organization he is working for. He/shemust follow the Ten commandments of computer ethics asoutlined by Computer Ethics Institute of USA. Eg. 1. Thoushall not use computer to harm others. 2. Thou shall notinterfere with other people’s computer work etc.

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Questions

Individual Assignment:

Relate your study of the System theory to System Analysisand Design.

Forum Question

Discuss the skills of s successful Systems Analyst

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References

• Checkland, P. (1999). System Thinking, System Practice. Chiches:John Wiley.

• O’Brien, J. A. (2003). Introduction to Information Systems:Essentials for E-Business Enterprise. Boston: Irwin.

• O’Leary, I. and O’leary, T. I. (2004). Computing Today. Boston: McCraw-Hill.

• Rowley, J. (1990). The Basics of Systems Analysis and Design forInformation Managers. Ludin: Clive Bingley.

• Whitten, J. et al (2000). Systems Analysis and Design Methods. 6thed., Boston: Mc Craw-Hill.

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