SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN 1 (SUMMER)

Based on your learnings on chapter 1, identify and discuss some charateristics you have as a good Systems Analyst. (at least 1000 words) Woohoo! Summer class for one week and project proposal for the rest of the summer. Toron?? my favorite.. num num! Based on my learnings on chapter one, I have learned many characteristics of a good system analyst. The reporters in chapter one, Ida and Cham2x discussed to us the key roles of a system analyst, the various types of systems that an analyst can work on and the required skills of a system analyst. These characteristics are somewhat I should obtain to be able to be an effective systems analyst. Later on, I will be digging up about the topic but first I must should consider one of the most important topic I learned throughout the report that was presented. First, let me define what a system analyst is. System analyst is the one who researches problems, plans solutions, recommends software and systems, and coordinates development to meet business or other requirements. They will be familiar with multiple approaches to problem-solving. Analysts are often familiar with a variety of programming languages, operating systems, and computer hardware platforms. Because they often write user requests into technical specifications, the systems analysts are the relationship between vendors and IT professionals. As what I have learned the key roles of a system analyst are: - System analyst as business problem solver - System analyst as consultant - System analyst as supporting expert - System analyst as agent of change SYSTEM ANALYST AS A BUSINESS PROBLEM SOLVER As a system analyst, one must be a good problem solver. A system analyst should have computer technology knowledge and programming expertise, should 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. A good problem solver is both attentive to details and able to see the big picture. A system analyst should also be a good listener who likes working on group projects. SYSTEM ANALYST AS CONSULTANT On the presentation given to us by the first group of reporters, a system analyst as a consultant was explained to us concisely. A system analyst as a consultant, one should Acts as system consultant to humans and their businesses, and may be hired specifically to address IS issues within a business. in every business, there is a consultant. SYSTEM ANALYST AS SUPPORTING EXPERT In this role the analyst draws on professional expertise concerning computer hardware and software and their uses in the business. This work is often not a full-blown systems project, but rather it entails a small modification or decision affecting a single department. As the support expert, you are not managing the project; you are merely serving as a resource for those who are. SYSTEM ANALYST AS AGENT OF CHANGE As an analyst, you are an agent of change whenever you perform any of the activities in the systems development cycle and are present and interacting with users and the business for an extended period. In order to be an effective change agent, one must have both the technical knowledge and evaluation knowledge about the innovation. As a change agent, the systems analyst must understand the technical aspects of the innovation and have the ability to evaluate the advantage/disadvantages and consequences of an innovation. Various types of SYSTEM that an analyst can work on: These are the different types of system an analyst can work on. System is a collection of interrelated components functioning together to achieve an outcome. Information systems is a collection of interrelated components that collect, process, store, and provide as output the information needed to complete business tasks. Subsystem is part of a larger system. and Functional decomposition is dividing a system into smaller subsystems and components. Required SKILLS of a system analyst: Enough skills and experience can motivate a system analyst. a system analyst must be skillful enough in many ways. An analyst should have fundamental technology knowledge of Computers / peripheral devices (hardware)‏ , Files and database systems, Input and output components and alternatives, Computer networks and protocols, Programming languages, operating systems, and utilities, Communication and collaboration technology. Analyst uses tools, Software productivity packages, Integrated development environments (IDEs) for programming languages, Visual modeling tools and code generation tools. And Analyst understands techniques, such as Project planning, cost/benefit, interviewing , Systems requirements modeling including, Design, database design, network configuration. Analyst must understand the following: Business functions performed by organization, Strategies, plans, traditions, and values of the organization, Organizational structure, Organization management techniques, Functional work processes. Systems analysts typically study business administration/management in college with a major in CIS or MIS. Primarily a systems analyst must be an effective communicator. And a systems analyst must be able to perform various roles such as negotiator, teacher, mentor, collaborator, and manager. Being a system analyst comes up with a much bigger responsibility than any other fields. I should say, a system analyst is an “over-all” personnel and thus very useful in developing a system and in helping a business to grow. To sum it all up, my idea of a business system analyst are: · The system analyst must be able to communicate in writing and orally. · The analyst must easily get along with people. · The analyst must be a good listener and be able to react to what people say. · The analyst must be knowledgeable of technology. The analyst is not expected to know the intricacies of programming, but a decent general knowledge of concepts and terms is essential. · The analyst must be knowledgeable of business. The analyst is not expected to be an expert in business but a decent understanding of the client's world is required. I may not have all these characteristics as a system analyst but I am 101 % sure that I will be able to attain and apply all these as I journey through life being a system analyst.

SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN 1
(SUMMER)


ASSIGNMENT #2


Interview a Systems Analyst and ask what skills and characteristics must a systems analyst develop in order to be more effective in any design modeling process [include in your answer evidences (pix, ltrs, etc)]? at least 1000 words exlcuding your evidences.

In this assignment we were tasked to interview a system analyst and ask what skills and characteristics must a system analyst develop in order to be more effective in any modeling process. Mr. James Bautista, the MIS Head of Sta. Ana Multipurpose Cooperative allowed us to visit his office and asked some questions regarding this assignment. Honestly, this interview was an ambush but luckily Mr. James Bautista allowed us to interview him. Together with my 8 other classmates namely, Stihl, Rorz, Sharlyn, Cham2x, kay2x, Ida, Yhang2x, and Alma, we directly rushed to Sir James\' office located in the 5th flr. of SAMULCO bldg. Uyanguren Davao City.


According to Sir James, an analyst looks into the over-all scope of the project. We have already discussed in the previous chapter what the characteristics of a system analyst must have. Sir James gave us a brief description what a system analyst is. According to him, a system analyst thinks as a common person. He also pin point the characteristics of a system analyst, being the one who solves the problem. He gave us a scenario in which he explained and differentiate the Global thinker into a systematic thinker. He took the case of the two guys who digs the ground in order to build a house, first guy was asked what is he doing and the guy answered, “I’m digging up the ground” and the second guy was also asked what is he doing and the guy answered “I’m building a house”. In this case the one who answered “I’m digging the ground” is the one who thinks systematically or the systematic thinker which was the developer while the one who answered “I’m building a house” is the one who thinks globally or the global thinker which was the systems analyst. The systematic thinker in this case is the developer and the global thinker is the system analyst. A systematic thinker is the one who only focuses on a particular task, like what the developers do, they only rely on the systems analysts’ decision in order to develop a system. Thinking systematically is a never-ending process and it can begin at any age. But starting early is all the more better for obvious reasons. As a global thinker, the analyst looks into the over-all scope or the entire scope of the project unlike with the developers who only focuses on a particular task. A global thinker / systems analyst must look into the over-all scope of the project and not the details. Global Thinkers will look at a picture of the assembled product, and then try to put it together like a jigsaw puzzle.

One of the characteristics Sir James pointed was being a keen observer. Being a system analyst, he / she must be observant. If the system analyst missed out a single important detail, the developer already started working and after a few months, they will find out that something is missing so they will go back to scratch again and it was just a waste of time, human resource, and money.


The next characteristic Sir James told to us is a system analyst must communicate well. Being a system analyst according to sir James was really a difficult task especially if your client has a different language and there are times when the analyst just can’t understand the client’s diction especially when over the phone or skype. Communication and understanding between the developer, system analyst and the client is really a very important matter. If the system analyst will not understand the client, the system will definitely turned out to what was expected by the client. Sir James gave us a picture of how important communication between the client, developer and the system analyst is.

This was picture given to us by sir James shows the misunderstanding of the people involve in developing a system.

Therefore, in developing a system, a proper communication between the people involve was indeed an essential one.

One of the characteristic a system analyst must have according to sir James is should have a basic programming skills. although, according to him being good programmer is not that important in becoming a system analyst as long as you have a basic skills in programming and you are familiar with the programming languages. A system analyst cannot analyze something without looking into a technical way or the programmer way of thinking. It is not necessarily the system analyst is good and expert programming but as long as he / she has basic knowledge. According to Sir James, developers thinks of the solutions instantly while the system analyst thinks first on the problem like how the system analyst solves the problem, he / she looks first on a step by step solution of the problem.

In the ambush interview we did with Mr. James Bautista, we really learned a lot. in fact, it was one of the most memorable interview we did so far. When Sir James asked us about our learnings and experiences, we all shivered and reacted that He was just like Sir Gamboa . No wonder, they are really friends. Although our questions were only limited, our learning exceeded beyond what was expected. That experience was a memorable one because it was our first time to encounter an interviewee who taught us more than what was discussed. It was not just a usual interview but a discussion or a forum should i say. Not only Sir James talked, but we also had a chance to talk with him as well. (ENJOY! )

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