IT Fundamentals: System Analysis and Design

System

is a collection of related parts treated as a unit where its components interact.

Business System

Is a collection of policies, procedures, methods, people, machines, and other elements that interact and enable the organization to reach its goal. Business system include marketing, personnel, production, finance and distribution elements. The important

Information system

Are collection of procedures, programs, equipment and methods that process data and make it available to management for decision making

Data

is a raw material that is processed and refined to generate information.

Information

is the product that results from processing or manipulating raw data

Open system (probabilistic systems)

are those in which the ouput or results cannot be determined precisely. These systems involve elements of chance or probability.

Closed systems

The result or output can be predicted with certainty.

System Analyst

Is a person or individual who are engaged in the broadly expanding field of systems analysis. He or she provides a key human resource in the planning, improvement and operation of business organizations.

Organizations

are made up of more than machines, offices, money and materials. The most essential ingredient in any company is its personnel. Those who whish to succeed must have certain skills, knowledge and attitude.

Consultant

frequently system analyst acts as a system consultant to a business. Such hiring can be an advantage because outside consultants can bring with them a fresh perspective that other members of an organization do not possess. It is also disadvantage because

Supporting expert

in this, the role of analyst draws on professional expertise concerning computer hardware and software and their uses in the business

Agent of change

- a person an analyst serves as a catalyst for change, develops a plan for change and works with others in facilitating that change.

System analysis

is the investigation of business or information systems. It is the scientific study of the systems process, including investigation of inputs and outputs in order to find better, more economical and more efficient means of processing.

Planning, Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation

5 phases of SDLC

Planning Phase

In this phase, an analyst recognize, diagnose, and define the problem. They may conduct study to assess the overall scope of the problem and determine whether more money and time should be expended in solving it. They prepare a plan attack and select the

Analysis phase

In this phase, the analyst reviews data and information on the in place system. He or she takes measurements, conducts audits, gathers information, interviews individuals, samples work and documents the kinds and types of information to be processed by th

Design Phase

the analyst identifies and considers alternatives. He/She will select an alternative and conceive a design. During the design phase, input and output records are prepared, forms laid out, and file specifications written. A major aspect of system design is

Implementation Phase

The last step of the cycle, the implementation phase, deals with the changeover to a new or improved system. After the facilities have been installed, programs software, and hardware must be tested to ensure that they meet design specifications. Final cha