System Analyst Systems Analysts Systems analysts are the

System Analyst

Systems Analysts � Systems analysts are the key individuals in the systems development process. � A systems analyst studies the problems and needs of an organization to determine how people, data, processes, communications, and information technology can best accomplish improvements for the business. � The functions of the system analyst are: ◦Designing and implementing the systems to suit the organizational needs

Formal Definition � “A person who conducts a methodical study and evaluation of an activity such as business to identify its desired objectives in order to determine the procedures by which these objectives can be gained. ” � The task of the system analyst is to elicit needs and resource constraints and to translate these into a viable operation”.

Responsibilities of a System Analyst ◦ The efficient capture of data from its business source, ◦ The flow of that data to the computer, ◦ The processing and storage of that data by the computer, and ◦ The flow of useful and timely information back to the business and its people.

Skills of a Successful Systems Analyst � Interpersonal Skills ◦ Communication ◦ Understanding ◦ Teaching ◦ Selling � Analytical skills ◦ Understanding of organizations. ◦ Problem solving skills ◦ System thinking �Ability to see organizations and information systems as systems � Technical skills ◦ Understanding of potential and limitations of technology.

Skills of a Successful Systems Analyst contd. . � Managerial skills ◦ Ability to manage projects, resources, risk and change � Interpersonal skills ◦ Effective written and oral communication skills ◦ Help you work with end user as well as other system analysts and programmers � Flexibility ◦ Ability to adapt flexible ideas and changes.

Skills Required by Systems Analysts ◦ Working knowledge of information technology ◦ Computer programming experience and expertise ◦ General business knowledge ◦ Problem-solving skills ◦ Interpersonal communication skills ◦ Interpersonal relations skills ◦ Flexibility and adaptability ◦ Character and ethics ◦ Systems analysis and design skills

Roles of a system analyst � Change agent(introduces the change(candidate system) to the organization) � Investigator of the current system. � Monitor the programs in relation to time, cost and quality. � Architect of the design of the system. � Psychologist-reaches people, interpret their thoughts, understand inter functional relationships. � Salesperson � Motivator-for convincing the user to use the system. � Politician-to gain the support of the user’s staff.

System Analyst as an Agent/Facilitator

System analyst as a change agent. How? � Systems are designed to perform certain required functions – there could be new functions, or modifications of older functions. �A system which is being designed will often require changes and re-orientation in the way an organization works. � There could be changes in format of input, or reports, additional information to be gathered, new procedures to be followed.

� Changes that a system will result in are often resisted by the users. � This is because persons are used-to working in a particular way and find it difficult to change. � New system means new skills have to be learnt, job descriptions may change and so on. � Hence the system analyst is the creator of new environments. � For this, he has to be a persuader as well as a controller and appropriately named as an agent for changing the organization.