IS316 Study Guide
Computer Information Systems Analysis and Design
1. Principle roles for a system analyst
a. Consultant
i. Frequently acts as a systems consultant to humans and their businesses and may be hired specifically to address information systems issues within a business. This can be advantageous because an analyst can bring a a fresh perspective that people within the organization may not possess. One disadvantage is that an analyst may never know the organizations true culture.
b. Supporting Expert ii. An analyst may play a supporting expert from within the business. These analysts are employed by the company and have at least some capacity in the systems of the organization. The analyst would draw on professional expertise concerning computer hardware and software and their principle uses within the business.
c. Agent of Change iii. This is the most comprehensive and responsible role. This role can be filled internal or external to the business. An analyst is an agent of change whenever he performs any of the activities in the systems development life cycle. The agent of change is also present and interacting with users and the business for an extended period. An agent of change is a person who serves as a catalyst for change, develops a plan for change, and works with others in facilitating that change.
2. Involving individuals with various perspectives in system analysis and design activities
d. Identifying Problems, Opportunities, and Objectives iv. The systems analyst would involve individuals during this phase to determine the problems within the business. Often these problems are brought up by individuals within the organization. The analyst will interview user management during this phase.
e. Determining Human Information Requirements
v. In this phase, the analyst would determine the human needs of the users involved using a variety of tools to understand how users interact in the work context with their current information systems. The analyst will
1. Principle roles for a system analyst
a. Consultant
i. Frequently acts as a systems consultant to humans and their businesses and may be hired specifically to address information systems issues within a business. This can be advantageous because an analyst can bring a a fresh perspective that people within the organization may not possess. One disadvantage is that an analyst may never know the organizations true culture.
b. Supporting Expert ii. An analyst may play a supporting expert from within the business. These analysts are employed by the company and have at least some capacity in the systems of the organization. The analyst would draw on professional expertise concerning computer hardware and software and their principle uses within the business.
c. Agent of Change iii. This is the most comprehensive and responsible role. This role can be filled internal or external to the business. An analyst is an agent of change whenever he performs any of the activities in the systems development life cycle. The agent of change is also present and interacting with users and the business for an extended period. An agent of change is a person who serves as a catalyst for change, develops a plan for change, and works with others in facilitating that change.
2. Involving individuals with various perspectives in system analysis and design activities
d. Identifying Problems, Opportunities, and Objectives iv. The systems analyst would involve individuals during this phase to determine the problems within the business. Often these problems are brought up by individuals within the organization. The analyst will interview user management during this phase.
e. Determining Human Information Requirements
v. In this phase, the analyst would determine the human needs of the users involved using a variety of tools to understand how users interact in the work context with their current information systems. The analyst will