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2. Information Systems Analysis Overview

There are nine distinct phases in the development of an information system (Problem Recognition, Planning, Feasibility Analysis, User Specification, System Design, System implementation, Testing, Conversion-Operation, Evaluation). These phases constitute what is known as the System Life Cycle.

It should be remembered that in a design one may need to go back to preceding stage based on the results obtained in the current stage. The phases are primarily intended as milestones to access progress in designs.

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2. Information Systems Analysis Overview

A systems analyst should interact with managers, users, and application programmers in designing a system.

A system analyst must through discussions with users, determine their information requirements, interact with them during the design phase, and explain to them what system will provide (or not provide). S/he must assign priorities among different requirements, analyze and evaluate existing systems and suggest improvements. An analyst must be able to identify and solve management-related problems in organizations, draw up specifications and oversee implementation. An analyst should evaluate the designed system and modify them if needed.

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2. Information Systems Analysis Overview

A good systems analyst must know the operation and management structure of diverse organization, must understand both hardware and software features of computers, must exhibit good interpersonal relations, be able to express his/her thoughts well, and should realize that analysis is a continuous process and requires life-long learning.

Also, a systems analyst should know the use of tools such as data flow diagrams, decision tables, prototyping systems, spreadsheets, database systems, report generators, and graphics systems.

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2. Information Systems Analysis Overview

Information requirements are obtained by a series of discussions with the top managers, middle level managers, line managers, and with the prospective and identified end-users of the system.

Priorities among these are then determined.

Consensus means agreement of opinions or mutually agreed unanimous decisions.

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2. Information Systems Analysis Overview

Information Requirement Determination V/S Specification Information requirement determination

attempts to find out what strategic, tactical, operational information is needed to effectively manage organization.

Information Specification defines the manner in which the information will be presented and what analyzed data it will contain.

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2. Information Systems Analysis Overview

Feasibility Analysis is required to analyze whether there is a reasonable chance of project succeeding given the constraints and possible barriers with respect to computing equipment, human resources, data availability. In simple terms, before investing time and money, one should ascertain whether the resources that are needed for the success are available. If the resources are limited, it may result in shrinking of goals that the system is expected to meet.

Both the quantitative and qualitative idea of cost of the system and expected benefits from the system needs to be carefully evaluated

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2. Information Systems Analysis Overview

Factors taken into account before arriving at the final specification of an Information System are: Cost/benefit as specified in feasibility report. Feasibility of system based on known

constraints (and possible barriers). Priority decided by consensus among users Users’ suggestion on the initial specifications

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2. Information Systems Analysis Overview

Inputs and Outputs of System Design Phase are: INPUTS

Functional specification of the system Computer configuration

OUTPUTS Program specification Database specification System implementation plan System test plan

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2. Information Systems Analysis Overview

Activities carried out in the System Implementation Phase are: Program (source code) are developed Database is created Users’ operation document is written Users’ are trained and the system is tested with

operational data Characteristics of good Information system are:

Meets users’ requirements Modular Easily changeable

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2. Information Systems Analysis Overview

Major tasks performed by Systems Analysts: Defines requirements Draws up priority among requirements Gathers data, facts and opinion of users Analyzes the existing systems in the organization

and uses this knowledge to improve the systems Provides solutions to problems posed by

management Draws up specification of information system Designs the system Evaluates the system

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2. Information Systems Analysis Overview

Desirables attributes of system analyst: Must know organizations function Must know latest developments in computer

hardware and software Can get along with diverse people at all the levels

of management Must be able to express himself/herself and absorb

information by being a good listener Must have an analytical mind Must have a broad general knowledge

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2. Information Systems Analysis Overview

Tools currently available to design systems: DATA FLOW DIAGRAMS – used to specify origin

and flow of data in the organization. It also specifies files and rules used to process data.

DECISION TABLES – used to specify processing rules in a tabular format.

DATBASE SYSTEMS – to organize and query collection of data.

SPREADSHEET – to answer “What if ” type questions.

REPORT GENERATOT and PROTOTYPING SYSTEMS – to get quick report formats and sample processing rules.

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2. Information Systems Analysis Overview

Exercise on Spreadsheet Basics, Working with Worksheet, Working

with workbook, Building Formulae, Functions from Function wizard like Date and time, Logical, Text, Math & Trig, Statistical, Financial, Formatting and Printing a Worksheet, Sharing and Managing Data, Analyzing Data, Charting Data, Micro…