Based on your learnings of chapter 1, identify and discuss some charateristics you have as a good Systems Analyst.

Based on your learnings of chapter 1, identify and discuss some charateristics you have as a good Systems Analyst.

A business professional who uses analysis and design techniques to solve business problems using information technology.
They typically solve:
-Customers want to order product anytime of the day.
-Suppliers want to minimize inventory holding costs.
-Marketing want to know customer needs better.
-Management want to analyzing financial information more efficiently.

*Business Problem Solver
-Has computer technology knowledge and programming expertise
-Understands business problems
-Uses logical methods for solving problems
-Has fundamental curiosity
-Wants to make things better
-Is more of a business problem solver than a technical programmer

Analyst’s Approach to Problem Solving
1. Research and understand the problem
2. Verify benefits of solving problem outweigh the costs
3. Define the requirements for solving the problem
4. Develop a set of possible solutions (alternatives)
5. Decide which solution is best and recommend
6. Define the details of the chosen solution
7. Implement the solution
8. Monitor to ensure desired results

*Skills of the Systems Analyst
--Technical
Computers / peripheral devices (hardware)
Communication networks and connectivity
Database and database management systems (DBMS)
Programming languages (for example, VB.NET or Java)
Operating systems and utilities
-Tools
Software productivity packages
Integrated development environments (IDEs) for programming languages
CASE tools, testing, documentation support, reverse engineering, configuration management
-Techniques
Project planning, systems analysis
Systems design, database design, network design
Construction, implementation, systems support

--Business
Business functions performed by organization
Strategies, plans, traditions, and values of the organization
Organizational structure
Organization management techniques
Functional work processes

--People
-Systems analysts need to understand how people
=Think
=Learn
=React to change
=Communicate
=Work (in a variety of jobs and levels)

=Interpersonal and communication skills are crucial to
*Obtaining information
*Motivating people
*Getting cooperation
*Understanding the complexity and workings of an organization in order to provide necessary support
*Hard skills are the skills in technical areas such as database design, programming, and telecommunication.
*Soft skills are the skills in nontechnical areas such as interviewing, team management, and leadership.

--Integrity and Ethics
-Analyst has access to confidential information, such as salary, an organization’s planned projects, security systems, and so on.
=Must keep information private
=Any impropriety can ruin an analyst’s career
=Analyst plans security in systems to protect confidential information



A systems analyst solves business problems using information systems technology. Systems analyst has broad knowledge and variety of skills, including technical, business, and people. Systems analyst encounters a variety of rapidly changing technologies. Integrity and ethical behavior are crucial to success for the analyst.

According to wikipedia:
A systems analyst is responsible for researching, planning, coordinating and recommending software and system choices to meet an organization's business requirements. The systems analyst plays a vital role in the systems development process. A successful systems analyst must acquire four skills: analytical, technical, managerial, and interpersonal. Analytical skills enable systems analysts to understand the organization and its functions, which helps him/her to identify opportunities and to analyze and solve problems. Technical skills help systems analysts understand the potential and the limitations of information technology. The systems analyst must be able to work with various programming languages, operating systems, and computer hardware platforms. Management skills help systems analysts manage projects, resources, risk, and change. Interpersonal skills help systems analysts work with end users as well as with analysts, programmers, and other systems professionals.
Because they must write user requests into technical specifications, the systems analysts are the liaisons between vendors and the IT professionals of the organization they represent. They may be responsible for developing cost analysis, design considerations, and implementation time-lines. They may also be responsible for feasibility studies of a computer system before making recommendations to senior management.
A systems analyst performs the following tasks:
• Interact with the customers to know their requirements
• Interact with designers to convey the possible interface of the software
• Interact/guide the coders/developers to keep track of system development
• Perform system testing with sample/live data with the help of testers
• Implement the new system
• Prepare High quality Documentation
A system analyst is the person who selects and configures computer systems for an organization or business. His or her job typically begins with determining the intended purpose of the computers. This means the analyst must understand the general objectives of the business, as well as what each individual user's job requires. Once the system analyst has determined the general and specific needs of the business, he can choose appropriate systems that will help accomplish the goals of the business.
When configuring computer systems for a business, the analyst must select both hardware and software. The hardware aspect includes customizing each computer's configuration, such as the processor speed, amount of RAM, hard drive space, video card, and monitor size. It may also involve choosing networking equipment that will link the computers together. The software side includes the operating system and applications that are installed on each system. The software programs each person requires may differ greatly between a user, which is why it is important that the system analyst knows the specific needs of each user.
To summarize, the system analyst's job is to choose the most efficient computer solutions for a business, while making sure the systems meet all the company's needs. Therefore, the system analyst must have a solid understanding of computer hardware and software and should keep up-to-date on all the latest technologies. He must also be willing to listen to the constant needs and complaints of the users he builds systems for.
All organizations rely on computer and information technology to conduct business and operate efficiently. Computer systems analysts help organizations to use technology effectively and to incorporate rapidly changing technologies into their existing systems. The work of computer systems analysts evolves rapidly, reflecting new areas of specialization and changes in technology.
Computer systems analysts solve computer problems and use computer technology to meet the needs of an organization. They may design and develop new computer systems by choosing and configuring hardware and software. They may also devise ways to apply existing systems’ resources to additional tasks. Most systems analysts work with specific types of computer systems—for example, business, accounting, or financial systems or scientific and engineering systems—that vary with the kind of organization. Analysts who specialize in helping an organization select the proper system software and infrastructure are often called system architects. Analysts who specialize in developing and fine-tuning systems often are known as systems designers.
To begin an assignment, systems analysts consult managers and users to define the goals of the system. Analysts then design a system to meet those goals. They specify the inputs that the system will access, decide how the inputs will be processed, and format the output to meet users’ needs. Analysts use techniques such as structured analysis, data modeling, information engineering, mathematical model building, sampling, and cost accounting to make sure their plans are efficient and complete. They also may prepare cost-benefit and return-on-investment analyses to help management decide whether implementing the proposed technology would be financially feasible.
When a system is approved, systems analysts determine what computer hardware and software will be needed to set it up. They coordinate tests and observe the initial use of the system to ensure that it performs as planned. They prepare specifications, flow charts, and process diagrams for computer programmers to follow; then they work with programmers to “debug,” or eliminate errors, from the system. Systems analysts who do more in-depth testing may be called software quality assurance analysts. In addition to running tests, these workers diagnose problems, recommend solutions, and determine whether program requirements have been met.
One challenge created by expanding computer use is the need for different computer systems to communicate with each other. Systems analysts work to make the computer systems within an organization, or across organizations, compatible so that information can be shared. Many systems analysts are involved with these “networking” tasks, connecting all the computers internally, in an individual office, department, or establishment, or externally, as when setting up e-commerce networks to facilitate business among companies.
Systems analysts work in offices or laboratories in comfortable surroundings. They usually work about 40 hours a week—about the same as many other professional or office workers. Evening or weekend work may be necessary, however, to meet deadlines or solve specific problems. Many analysts telecommute, using computers to work from remote locations.
Like other workers who spend long periods typing on a computer, computer systems analysts are susceptible to eyestrain, back discomfort, and hand and wrist problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome or cumulative trauma disorder.
A systems analyst designs new IT solutions to improve business efficiency and productivity. The work might be for an external client or an internal client (such as a department within the same organisation).
Working closely with the client, analysts examine existing business models and flows of data, discuss their findings with the client, and design an appropriate improved IT solution.
They produce outline designs and costings of new IT systems, specifying the operations the system will perform, and the way data will be viewed by the user, present their design to the client and, once it is approved, work closely with the client team to implement the solution.

Typical work activities
Most systems analysts work with a specific type of IT system, which varies with the type of organisation. Work activities also depend on the size and nature of the organisation, but typically involve:
-liaising extensively with external or internal clients;
-analysing clients' existing systems;
-translating client requirements into highly specified project briefs;
-identifying options for potential solutions and assessing them for both technical and business suitability;
-creating logical and innovative solutions to complex problems;
-drawing up specific proposals for modified or replacement systems;
-producing project feasibility reports;
-presenting proposals to clients;
-working closely with developers and a variety of end users to ensure technical compatibility and user satisfaction;
-ensuring that budgets are adhered to and deadlines met;
-drawing up a testing schedule for the complete system;
-overseeing the implementation of a new system;
-planning and working flexibly to a deadline;
-writing user manuals;
-providing training to users of a new system;
-keeping up to date with technical and industry sector developments.

A Computer Systems Analyst analyzes science, engineering, business and all other data processing problems for application to electronic data processing systems. He/She analyzes user requirements, procedures, and problems to automate or improve existing systems and review computer system capabilities, workflow and scheduling limitations. A Computer Systems Analyst may analyze or recommend commercially available software and may also supervise computer programmers.

Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer related problems such as malfunctions and program problems;
Test, maintain and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating their installation;
Use object-oriented programming languages, as well as client and server applications development processes, and multimedia and internet technology;
Coordinate and link the computer systems within an organization to increase compatibility for information;
Consult with management to ensure agreement on system principles;
Expand or modify system to serve new purposes or improve work flow.


Skills and Competencies
Knowledge of a specific computer system;
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
Good interpersonal and communication skills;
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of precision technical plans, blue prints, drawings, and models;
Ability to identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Physical Attributes and Characteristics
Can listen and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences;
Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve soling the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Can apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense;
Can combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions including finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events.


Computer systems analyst is a general job title. Alternate, general titles include computer systems developer and computer systems architect. Specific job titles vary by organization.
Computer systems analyst job duties also vary by organization. But, generally, they customize computer systems to meet specific information-technology needs.
Broadly, computer systems analyst job duties include:
-Planning, designing, installing and developing new computer systems
-Revamping existing computer systems for new tasks
-Networking computer systems with others
-Preparing cost-benefit and return-on-investment (ROI) reports for management
-Testing and debugging new or revamped computer systems and the networks on which they communicate.

A computer systems analyst typically performs his or her job duties by coordinating with other information-technology professionals.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_analyst
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos287.htm
http://www.techterms.com/definition/systemanalyst
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/systems_analyst_job_description.jsp
http://www.ble.dole.gov.ph/jobdetail/system-analyst.htm
http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/computerjob13/a/systems_analyst.htm