System Development Environment 1122015 Abdou Illia MIS 4200

System Development Environment 1/12/2015 © Abdou Illia MIS 4200 - Spring 2015

Learning Objectives ü ü ü Define information systems analysis and design. Define a system. Describe the role of the systems analyst in information systems development. 2

What is Information Systems Analysis and Design? q Process of developing and maintaining an information system q Method used to create and maintain systems that perform basic business functions q Main goal is to improve employee efficiency by applying software solutions to key business tasks q Structured approach used to ensure success when: – Acquiring application software OR – Developing in-house applications Ch 1: 4 -5 3

What is a System? q. A system is an interrelated set of business procedures used within one business unit working together for a purpose. q. A system exists within an environment – i. e. anything outside the system that influences it q. A boundary separates a system from its environment —makes the system selfcontained. Procedure 1 Ch 1: 6 Procedure 2 Procedure 3 Environment Boundary 4

The 9 characteristics of a System q Components q Interrelated Components q Boundary q Purpose q Environment q Interfaces q Constraints q Input q Output Ch 1: 6 -7 5

Ch 1: 6 -7 6

Your Role as a Systems Analyst q Study problems and information needs of an organization q Determine best approach to improving organization through use of: – People – Methods – Information technology q Help system users and managers define their requirements for new or enhanced information systems Ch 1: 11 -12 7

Systems Analyst’s Skills q To succeed, you need to develop four types of skills: – Analytical § § System thinking: ability to see organizations and IS a systems Understand organization and its functions Identify opportunities and problems Analyze and solve problems – Technical § Work with various programming languages, OS, and platforms § Understand the potential and limitations of IT – Management § Manage projects, resources, risks, changes. – Interpersonal § Work with users, managers, fellow IS professionals Ch 1: 11 -12 8

What You Should know so far q What is information systems analysis and design q What are system’s boundary and environment q The role of a system analysts q Skills required to be a system analyst q Answering Review questions seen in class 9