Key Concepts in Systems Analysis and Design
1. Computer Application: A software program designed to execute specific functions on a computing
device.
2. Information System: A collection of interrelated components that process, store, and provide
information necessary for business tasks.
3. Purpose of Systems Analysis and Design:
- It is essential for planning the development of information systems, similar to how an architect plans
a building.
- A systems analyst serves as a bridge, understanding the needs and visions of stakeholders to guide
development.
4. Systems Analysis: Activities that help define what a new system should achieve.
5. Systems Design: Activities that outline in detail how the system will accomplish its objectives.
6. Project: A planned endeavor with a clear start and end, resulting in a specific outcome.
7. Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC): The comprehensive process for building, launching, and
maintaining an information system.
Core Processes of the SDLC
1. Identify the Problem: Recognizing a need and securing approval to address it.
2. Plan and Monitor the Project: Outlining project scope, methods, and team roles.
3. Discover and Understand Needs: Analyzing details of the problem.
, 4. Design System Components: Creating solutions that fulfill identified needs.
5. Build, Test, and Integrate: Developing and combining system parts.
6. Complete Testing and Deploy: Final testing and rollout of the system.
Agile and Iterative Development
- Agile Development: A flexible approach to software development that accommodates changing
requirements.
- Iterative Development: Building a system incrementally through repeated cycles (iterations),
developing core first and adding features progressively.
Use Cases
- Use Cases: Document a specific user-initiated event and the system's response, aiding in defining
system functionality.
- Modeling Use Cases: Provides a framework for what the system should do.
Architectural Concepts
1. Technology Architecture: The framework of hardware, network, and software used by the
organization.
2. Application Architecture: Organization of software resources to support information systems.
Activities of a Systems Analyst
1. Gather Detailed Information: Collect data on system requirements.
2. Define Requirements: Clarify what the system should do.
3. Prioritize Requirements: Determine what is most important.
4. Develop User Interfaces: Create interfaces for user interaction.
5. Evaluate Requirements with Users: Validate requirements by consulting stakeholders.