World of Modern Systems Analyst

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World of Modern Systems Analyst

• By
• Bob Larson

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Overview

• Systems analysis
• Comprehend information system functions
• Systems design
• Specify physical implementation
• Systems analyst
• Develops information systems
• Unified Process
• Object-oriented analysis and design

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Two Basic Assumptions

• Analysts works on information systems
• Information systems solve business problems

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Analyst as Business Problem Solver

• Analyst typical background
• Computer technology
• Object-oriented analysis and design
• Curios nature  
• Chief task
• Define problem and outline solution
• Challenge
• Develop alternatives consistent with
• Corporate strategic planning
• Corporate culture
• Develop system requirements and design models
• Systems design models
• Databases, user interfaces, networks, operating
  procedures, conversion plans and software classes

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Analysts Approach to Problem Solving
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Solving Business Problems

• System purpose
• Solve business problems
• System make-up
• Set of interrelated components
• System tools
• Functions or modules
• Functional decomposition
• Divide system into components to simplify analysis

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Information Systems Terms

• Information system
• Collects, processes and stores data
• Outputs information
• Subsystem
• Components of another system
• Components
• Hardware, software, inputs, outputs, data,
  people, and procedures
• Supersystem
• Collection of systems
• Automation boundary
• Separates automated part of system from manual
  (human)

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Information Systems and Subsystems
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Information Systems Component Parts
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System Boundary vs Automation Boundary

• System boundary between system and its
  environment
• Any inputs or outputs must cross the system
  boundary
• Automation boundary separates
• Automated part of the system where work is done
  by computers
• Manual part of the system, where work is done by
  people

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Common Information Systems
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Systems Analyst Skills

• Manage issues from technical to interpersonal
• Must commit to lifelong learning
• Must adapt to changing technology
• Better to be on the front of the curve

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Systems Analyst Required Skills

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Technical Knowledge Skills

• Should grasp many types of technology
• Computers and how they work
• Devices that interact with computers, including
• Input devices
• Storage devices
• Output devices
• Communications (data) networks and protocols
• Operating systems and utilities
• Databases and database management systems
• Object-oriented programming languages and class
  libraries

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Technical Knowledge Skills

• Common software tools
• Integrated development environments (IDEs)
• Sun ONE Studio for Java
• Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
• Computer-aided system engineering (CASE)
• Rational XDE Modeler
• Borland Together
• Embarcadero Describe

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Technical Knowledge Skills

• Techniques and skills used in systems development
• Project planning
• Cost/benefit analysis
• Interviewing
• Requirements modeling
• Architectural analysis
• Network configuration
• Database design

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Technical Knowledge Skills

• Continuing Ed and Certification Options
• Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
• Microsoft Certified Database Administrators
  (MCDBA)
• Oracle Certified Professional (OCP)
• Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers (MCSE)
• Cisco Networking Certifications (CCNA/CCNP/CCIE)
• (ISC)²s Certified Information Systems Security
  Professional (CISSP)
• CompTIA Certified Document Imaging Architect (
  CDIA)

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Business Knowledge and Skills

• What does the business do
• What makes it successful
• What are its competitive advantages
• What are its competitive vulnerabilities
• Is it an industry leader or follower
• What are its strategies and plans
• What are its traditions and values

Be sure to understand the organization, its
culture, its mission and its objectives before
jumping to conclusions about system solutions
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Business Knowledge and Skills

• Many analysts study business administration
• CI/MIS majors in business colleges
• Business courses in other schools
• Continuing Ed and Certification Options
• Most Universities and CCs offer
• UW Extension developing a 3-course Analyst Cert
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
• CompTIA Project
• CompTIA e-Biz

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People Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of people centers around thinking and
  feeling
• People knowledge is used to adapt systems to
  users
• Forcing users to fit a system can be rough
• Most critical skill
• Ability to listen empathetically
• People are often afraid of change

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The Analysts Environment

• Often the environment is not fixed
• Includes many types of technology
• Work arrangements
• In-house, consultant, independent contracting,
  representing application service provider
• May work in many locations
• Travel can be local or international
• Reporting relationships vary with organization
• Compensation and authority can vary
• Variety job titles and descriptions

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Types of Technology Used

• Desktops to large scale information systems
• Dont forget PDAs, Blackberries and cell phones
• Devices often connected by complex networks
• Some technologies have competing objectives
• Security objectives/technologies can restrict
  others
• Technology change is continuous
• Innovation often drives information system change
• With change comes opportunities
• Can dramatically change barriers to entry in a
  market
• Regular upgrades of knowledge and skills essential

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Some Analyst Job Titles

• Programmer analyst
• Business systems analyst
• System liaison
• End-user analyst
• Business consultant
• Systems consultant
• System support analyst
• Systems designer
• Software engineer
• System architect
• Webmaster
• Web developer

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Integrity and Ethics

• Sense of personal integrity and ethics required
• Analysts often work with personal information
• Some protected by law (HIPPA)
• Analysts encounter confidential proprietary
  information
• Business secrets are jealously guarded
• Non-disclosure agreements are very common
• Be sure to read and understand them they arent
  kidding
• Some include non-compete clauses that can limit
  options
• Some secrets can also be covered by law (Patriot
  Act)
• Improprieties can Unauthorized release of private
  information can
• Damage a companys reputation
• Damage a planned strategic campaign
• Ruin an analysts career or worse

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Ethics 101

• Felony
• A serious crime that is punished more severely
  than a misdemeanor
• Often the difference between a prison sentence
  and doing time in jail
• In many states a minimum sentence of 1 year and a
  day
• The business news is full of people that probably
  never thought of themselves as criminals
• Each one would give up an analyst in a heartbeat
  if it would spare them a day in jail
• When in doubt ask yourself how you would
  explain your actions to your mom on visiting day

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Analysts and Strategic Planning

• May advise senior management on strategic issues
• Strategic problems involve long-range planning
• Analysts role
• Anticipate or recognize problems (or
  opportunities)
• Suggest solutions
• Implement solutions (in some cases)
• Strategic Plans
• Large plan comprised of smaller models and plans
• Organization model
• Maps business functions
• Application architecture plan
• Lists integrated information systems
• Technology architecture plan
• Defines hardware, software and connecting networks

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Application vs. Technology Plans
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Common Analyst Special Projects

• Prototype new information systems
• Business process reengineering
• Technique that seeks to alter the nature of the
  work done in a business function with the
  objective of radically improving performance
  and/or efficiency
• Common activities
• Analyze current business processes
• Redesign business processes
• Provide computer support for new processes
• Help develop support for the new process

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Fin