Sunday, December 11, 2011

System Analysis and Design: Assignment 1


Based on my learning on the report about The World of The Information System Analyst, it is really hard to have skills of a system analyst. But those required skills of the system analyst can be learned through studies and experiences, and the best solution in requiring those skills is through experience because experience is the best teacher above all else. As some others have defined the system analyst in this way, the system analyst must know how to use computers to get the job done. Ang system analyst ang nagsasabi sa kanilang mga cliyente sa negosyo o organization kung anong klaseng computer at software ang kanilang bibilhin, and the system analyst choose on how those devices work together. Computer system analysts do their job first in having a question by the people on what they need their computers to do. And they plan a computer system on all those things that can work all those tasks well. Ang system na kanilang ginagawa ay kinakailangan ng maraming computers working together at iba’t-ibang klaseng software. After the system analyst understands what they must need to do in the system, hinahati-hati nila ang lahat ng tasks sa mga ibang myembro ng team para mapadali ang proseso. They create a diagram and charts to show how the information they gathered works, how that information will be processed, and how it will use by the people who need it. Ang system analyst din ay nag-eexperimento ng iba’t-bang computer system plans para sa kanilang simulation. At gumagamit sila ng iba’t-ibang tools at steps hanggang sa mahanap ng system analyst ang pinakamabilis, pinakamadali, at mas mura ang halaga, kagaya ng pagsasaliksik at pagformulate ng isang computer algorithm. Pagkatapos ay gagawa ang system analyst ng desisyon kung anong klaseng computer at software ang bibilhin at gagamitin. The system analyst also tells an instruction to the computer programmers on how to create any new software they must need. They give the programmers a step by step process. The main job for some system analyst is doing the computers work together. The system analysts make a decision on how to get information from the network, probably getting data from the Internet. After the system was planned, the system analysts try to test the system to make sure that it works. Sinusuri nila ang flow of process para makasigurado na ang impormasyon ay mabilis ang proseso at walang pagkakamali. They also look the system if it is easy to use by the user. But sometimes, they have to change their plans to improve the systems better.
Many computer system analysts are graduated in computer science, information science, management information system. An analysts must have an advance skills and understanding in computer, math, and planning. Logical thinking skills are also important. A system analyst must need to have a good, or preferably an excellent communication and writing skills, so that they can explain well and convince their clients that their systems is well-engineered, and give good instructions to the team.

According to Chapter 1, “An information system is a collection of interrelated components that collect, process, store, and provide as output the information needed to complete a business task.” And the job of the system analyst is to work on that information system to provide a desired result in Business Company. Information system is very important in business company because it “supports business functions in modern business organization, make business more competitive, enhance productivity and profits.” In that aspect, system analyst is very important in decision-making process because he/she is the one who deals with the problem. According to Job Responsibilities.com, the system analyst has its main responsibility in designing an IT solutions na kung saan ay makapagbibigay ng maraming produksyon sa negosyo. At itong trabaho ay maaring magawa para sa internal clients at sa external clients. Their responsibilities must include a constant communication with the clients, and checking the current model of business along with the data flows. After that, the system analyst must communicate with the client and make a more improved and appropriate IT solution for the client. The responsibilities of the system analysts can be more complex for the reason that they must fulfill their roles in the team; this includes their responsibilities of a constant long communication with internal as well as external clients. Next is the analysis of the current system of client. Then having a conversion of the requirements of a client to the strongly specified project description. The system analyst must identify immediately the proper solutions and receiving them for the purpose of both the business and technical stability. The system analyst must have a presentation of the proposals to the clients, and the production of the feasibility reports for the projects.
All those criteria are very important to the business company to have those responsibilities by the system analyst because of the competitive issues, especially the communication between the internal and external clients for them to update each other in every detail they want to succeed. As Chapter 1 discussed, the role of the system analyst is to “Investigate, analyze, design, develop, installs, evaluate, and maintains a company’s information systems; a business problem solver, the solution to the problem is generally a new information system, and help translates business requirements into Information Technology projects.” Investigation and analyzing is important in planning phase because it is the first step in system development life cycle and careful planning is the key to success. Collecting data, defining and understanding the problem can be hustle because of some limited resources you can gather or the complexity of the problem but good definition of the important problem can be succeed by the good system analyst. A good system analyst can be an asset for the company’s success because a system analyst is a business problem solver, and an experienced and a good background of a system analyst can create a best solution of the very hard and complex problem it encounters in the company. And also if the solutions were created after the analysis phase, a good design and development of the system can be achieved. But some flaws in the solutions they implemented can be seen after the system was deployed in the establishment. After the project had done, the system analyst must write or make a documentation of the system for a user manual for the clients.
A system analyst is the one who is “responsible for researching, planning, coordinating and recommending software and system choices” to be able to meet the organization’s business requirements, according to SystemAnalyst.com. A system analyst has a very important role in the system development process. A successful system analyst must have an analytical skill “to understand the organization and its functions”, which can be helpful in identifying the opportunities, and to analyze and solve problems. It is common that if you have a technical skill, you can understand the potential and the limitations of information technology. The system analyst must have an expertise in various programming languages to be able to work in different operating systems and computer hardware platforms. Having an advance management skills help the system analysts manage projects, resources, risk, and change. System analyst can be worked well with the end users with the help of their interpersonal skills, as well as they can also communicate with other analysts, programmers, and other system professionals. The system analyst must be responsible for developing cost analysis, design considerations, and implementation and they may also be responsible in making a feasibility study of a computer system before making recommendation to senior management. According to SystemAnalysis.com, there are six tasks that a system analyst must perform. First is the interaction with the customers to know their desired requirements. Second is the interaction with the designers to convey the possible interface of the software. Third is to interact or guide the programmers and system developers to keep track of system development. Fourth is that they must perform some testing in the system with sample or live data with the help of testers. After running some testing and if the results are enough for approval, then it must implement the new system. Then the last is to prepare high quality documentation. But many system analysts nowadays have shifted into business analyst “and the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that “Increasingly, employers are seeking individuals who have a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) with a concentration in information technology.””
So that definition is very accurate and detailed as what is really a system analyst. A system analyst must have a good background of a researcher and a business planner because that is the first step in defining the problem of the business establishment. A correct data gathering can be crucial in defining a correct solution to the problem because of the possibility of misunderstanding the data collected. A system analyst is also a planner in implementing the desired solution or output of the information. Coordination to others is also important for them to really understand the scope and complexity of the problem, and how he act to it as fast as possible. A successful system analyst must have an advance experience in analyzing a company’s problems and situations for them to think a better and competitive solution they want to implement for the future purpose. In technical aspect, a system analyst must have an expertise in information technologies just like programming skills and database management system for them to fully develop any possible solutions or any improvements they want to implement in the company or organizations systems to have their works makes easier. In managerial skills, a system analyst must have a better sense of time management because of the deadlines of the projects or limitations of resources they can encounter with, and having a better time management the system analyst can think any possible options that is better than the previous solutions he want to implement and he can solve right away any flaws he can encounter. And interpersonal skill is very important for the system analyst to fully understand what the clients or the customers want to improve more in the system they consult with. Interacting with other people, especially with other analysts and programmer, he can think any better solutions rather than his own idea because there is any possibility that the person he interacts has a better experience in his own profession. And other system analysts are becoming a business analyst because of their skills that can improve and develop their competitiveness in the global aspect and because most of the system analyst work there profession in business establishments. So that is why most of the system analyst is now called a business analyst because they most work their professions in business establishments.

          There are so many definitions and interpretation as what is really a system analyst in the world of business companies and organizations but their roles in their professions as a member in the project is the important thing that every individual must understand. Ang role ng isang system analyst ay magbigay ng tulong sa isang organisasyon na maintindihan nila ang mga pagsubok na kanilang mararanasan kapag gagawa sila ng iba-ibang hakbang sa proyekto at sinisigurado rin nila ang mga kakailanganin at maabot rin ang lahat ng expectation ng kliyente sa tamang ibibigay na representasyon sa lahat ng mga solusyon. Next is the company must need to define the specific roles and responsibilities that a system analyst must do his job in the organization, but the system analyst must be very responsible for ensuring that the requirements set forth by the business are captured and documented correctly before the solution is developed and implemented. A system analyst can be called by some companies as a Business Analyst, Business System Analyst or a Requirement Analyst. Ang lahat ng mga ibat-ibang titulo na inuugnay sa system analyst ay mayroong kani-kanilang gawain, pero ang lahat ng mga iyon ay mayroong magkakatulad na responsibilidad na kanilang ginagawa, iyon ay gumagawa ng mga dokumentasyon sa lahat ng mga requirements na kakailanganin sa pagpapatupad ng solusyon para maabot at makuha ang gusto ng isang kliyente sa kanyang negosyo. In working in any elements or an organization, the system analyst is accountable if there are requirements that are not captured and documented and if the solution meets the documented requirements, but the solution still does not adequately represent the requirements of the client, the analyst is accountable. Ang ikapampito ay ang process responsibilities, kung nasimulan na ang paunang phase which is the analysis phase, ang analyst plays a key role in making sure that the overall project successfully meets the client needs. Katuwang na ditto, ang analyzing and understanding the current state processes to ensure that the context and implications of change are understood by the clients and the project team. Ang ikalawa ay ang pagdevelop for understanding of how present and future business needs will impact the solution. Ang ikatlo ay, ang pag-identify sa mga sources and references ng lahat ng mga requirements and understanding how roles help determine the relative validity of requirements. Then, developing a requirements management plan and isawalat ang plano sa lahat ng mga stakeholders. Pagkatapos nito ay ang pag-identify nang dokumento sa lahat ng mga negosyo, technical, product and process requirements. Ang pag-wowork sa mga kliyente para mauna and rationalize ang mga requirements. Ang pagtutulungan ay napakahalaga todefine acceptance criteria for completion of the solution. Again, hindi ibig sabihin na ang analyst sa piskikal na term ay siya lahat ang magtatrabaho. Maraming mga tao ang pwede pang mag-contribute ng gawain sa grupo, including the project manager. However, kung ang finished product ay mawawalang ng ibang features, or if the solution does not resolve the business need, then the analyst is the person held accountable. Kailangan din nito ang pagiging magaling sa analyst skills, generally, analysts must have a good set of people skills, business skills, technical skills and soft skills to be successful. Katuwang nito ang pagkakaroon ng good verbal and written communication skills, including active listening skills. Ang pagiging well-organized and knowing good processes to complete the work needed for the project. Ang pagkakaron nang effective relationships with clients to develop joint vision for the project. Ang pag-aasist sa project manager by managing client expectations through careful and proactive communications regarding requirements and changes. At pakikipag-usap o negotiate to build a final consensus on a common set of requirements from all clients and stakeholders. Para ma ensure that stakeholders know the implications of their decisions, and providing options and alternatives when necessary.
            The system analyst is an expert in business role that is why his voice is very important in making a best solutions in any problems they want to eliminate or have better system, and the system analyst is the one who gives any advices and making the clients understand the situation of the problem if the solution presented have some setbacks in the company’s financial aspect. But the clients are the one who gives instructions to the system analyst or business analyst as to what to work within the establishment and they must communicate and interact regularly if the problem presented by the system analyst is very complex. And being a system analyst is very hard in terms of being a professional because he is the one who is accountable if the presented solution to the client does not meet the requirements.
            Based on my own understanding as what is really a system analyst is all about. I may have some characteristics to become a system analyst but my skills is not enough because I’m still learning the way the system analyst must possess and work. But communicating to other people is my very challenging task because I don’t have any skills in that matter but maybe in that aspect I may improve myself in some time.

Reference:
http://www.jobresponsibilities.org/system-analyst%E2%80%99s.html
http://www.systemsanalyst.com/what-does-a-systems-analyst-do/
http://www.modernanalyst.com/TheProfession/Roles/SystemsAnalyst/tabid/184/Default.aspx
http://www.slideshare.net/infinityrulz/roles-responsibilities-of-system-analyst-3043450
http://www.bls.gov/k12/computers06.htm

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