Chapter 1, Introduction to Systems Analysis & Design,

Systems Analysis and Design 8th Edition Chapter 1 Introduction to Systems Analysis and Design Chapter Objectives Discuss the impact of information technology on business strategy and success Define an information system and describe its components Explain how profiles and models can represent business functions and operations Explain how the Internet has affected business strategies and relationships Identify various types of information systems and explain who uses them Distinguish between structured analysis, object-oriented analysis, and agile methods Compare the traditional waterfall model with agile methods and models Discuss the role of the information technology department and the systems analysts who work there Introduction Companies use information as a weapon in the battle to increase productivity, deliver quality products and services, maintain customer loyalty, and make sound decisions. Information technology can mean the difference between success and failure The Impact of Information Technology Information Technology (IT) Combination of hardware and software products and services that companies use to manage, access, communicate, and share information The Future of IT Will see robust growth for at least a decade The greatest need will be for systems analysts, network administrators, data communications analysts, and software engineers The Impact of Information Technology The Role of Systems Analysis and Design Systems Analysis and Design Step-by-step process for developing high-quality information systems Systems Analyst Plan, develop, and maintain information systems The Impact of Information Technology Who develops Information Systems? In-house applications Software packages Internet-based application services Outsourcing Custom solutions Enterprise-wide software strategies How versus What Information System Components A system is a set of related components that produces specific results A Mission-critical system is one that is vital to a company’s operations Data consists of basic facts that are the system’s raw material Information is data that has been transformed into output that is valuable to users Information systems have five key components: hardware, software, data, processes, and people Hardware Is the physical layer of the information system Moore’s Law Software System software Application software Enterprise applications Software Horizontal system Vertical system Legacy systems Data Tables store data By linking the tables, the system can extract specific information Processes Describe the tasks and business functions that users, managers, and IT staff members perform to achieve specific results People Stakeholders Users, or end users Understanding The Business Business Process Modeling Business Profile Business Models Business model Business process Business process reengineering (BPR) New Kinds of Companies Production-oriented Service-oriented Internet-dependent Dot-com (.com) Brick-and-mortar Impact of the Internet E-Commerce or I-Commerce B2C (Business-to-Consumer) B2B (Business-to-Business) EDI Extensible markup language (XML) Supplier relationship management (SRM) Web-Based System Development WebSphere .NET Web services Internet-based systems involve various hardware and software designs How Business Uses InformationSystems In the past, IT managers divided systems into categories based on the user group the system served Office systems Operational systems Decision support systems Executive information systems Enterprise computing systems Support company-wide operations and data management requirements Enterprise resource planning (ERP) Many hardware and software vendors target the enterprise computing market Transaction processing systems Involve large amounts of data and are mission-critical systems Efficient because they process a set of transaction-related commands as a group rather than individually Business support systems Provide job-related information to users at all levels of a company Management information systems (MIS) Radio frequency identification (RFID) What-if Knowledge management systems Called expert systems Simulate human reasoning by combining a knowledge base and inference rules Many knowledge management systems use a technique called fuzzy logic User productivity systems Technology that improves productivity Groupware Information systems integration Most large companies require systems that combine transaction processing, business support, knowledge management, and user productivity features Information System Users and Their Needs ORGANIZATIONAL LEVELS TOP MANAGERS Middle Managers and Knowledge Workers Supervisors & Team Leaders Operational Employees BUSINESS FUNCTIONS Marketing Production Human Resources Information Technology Accounting Sales Systems Development Tools Modeling Business model Requirements model Data model Object model Network model Process model Prototyping Prototype Speeds up the development process significantly Important decisions might be made too early, before business or IT issues are thoroughly understood Can be an extremely valuable tool Computer-Aided Systems Engineering (CASE) Tools Also called computer-aided software engineering CASE tools Can generate program code, which speeds the implementation process Overview of Systems Development Methods Structured Analysis Systems development life cycle (SDLC) Predictive approach Uses a set of process models to describe a system graphically Process-centered technique Waterfall model Deliverable or end product Disadvantage in the built-in structure of the SDLC, because the waterfall model does not emphasize interactivity among the phases This criticism can be valid if the SDLC phases are followed too rigidly Adjacent phases usually interact The SDLC model usually includes five steps Systems planning Systems analysis Systems design Systems implementation Systems support and security Systems Planning Systems planning phase Systems request – begins the process & describes problems or desired changes Purpose of this phase is to perform a preliminary investigation Key part of preliminary investigation is a feasibility study Systems Analysis Deliverable is the System requirements document Systems Design Deliverable is system design specification Management and user involvement is critical Structured Analysis Systems Implementation New system is constructed Systems Support and Security A well-designed system must be secure, reliable, maintainable, and scalable Most information systems need to be updated significantly or replaced after several years of operation Object-oriented Analysis Combines data & processes that act on the data into things called objects Object is a member of a class Objects possess properties Methods change an object’s properties PERSON Name Address Social Security Number INSTRUCTOR Name Address Social Security Number Office Location Office Telephone Date Hired STUDENT Name Address Social Security Number Major GPA Advisor A message requests specific behavior or information from another object Usually follow a series of analysis and design phases that are similar to the SDLC Interactive model Agile Methods Are the newest development Emphasizes continuous feedback Iterative development Agile community has published the Agile Manifesto Spiral model Agile process determines the end result Other adaptive variations and related methods exist Two examples are Scrum and Extreme Programming (XP) Analysts should understand the pros and cons of any approach before selecting a development method Other Development Methods Joint application development (JAD) Rapid application development (RAD) Might encounter other systems development techniques Rational Unified Process (RUP®) Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF) Systems Development Guidelines Develop a project plan Involve users and listen carefully to them Use project management tools to identify tasks and milestones Develop accurate cost and benefit information Remain flexible Information Technology Department IT DEPARTMENT Director Information Technology Application Development - Systems Support & Security - User Support - Database Administration - Network Administration - Web Support - Quality Assurance (QA) The Systems Analyst Position Responsibilities Translate business requirements into IT projects Required Skills and Background Solid technical knowledge, strong oral and written communication skills and analytic ability, and an understanding of business operations and processes Certification Important credential Career Opportunities Job titles Company organization Company size Corporate culture Salary, location, and future growth Chapter Summary IT refers to the combination of hardware and software resources that companies use to manage, access, communicate, and share information The essential components of an information system are hardware, software, data, processes, and people Most companies offer a mix of products, technical and financial services, consulting, and customer support Systems analyst use modeling, prototyping, and computer aided systems engineering (CASE) tools Three popular system development approaches are structured analysis, object-oriented analysis (O-O), and agile methods, also called adaptive methods Regardless of the development strategy, people, tasks, timetables, and cost must be managed effectively using project management tools The IT department develops, maintains and operates a company’s information systems Systems analysts need a combination of technical and business knowledge, analytical ability, and communication skills Systems analysts need to consider salary, location, and future growth potential when making a career decision THIS COMPLETES CHAPTER 1