System Analysis and Design

Question 1

A collection of activities and elements organized to accomplish goal

Answer 1

System

Question 2

Reasons to change information systems

Answer 2

◼ Organizational growth
◼ Mergers and acquisitions
◼ New marketing opportunities
◼ Revisions in governmental regulations
◼ Availability of new technology

Question 3

A six-phase problem-solving procedure for examining and improving information
systems

Answer 3

System analysis and design

Question 4

System’s Life Cycle

Answer 4

1. Preliminary investigation
2. Systems analysis
3. Systems design
4. Systems development
5. Systems implementation
6. Systems maintenance

Question 5

the information problems or needs are identified

Answer 5

Preliminary Investigation

Question 6

The present system is studied in depth. New requirements
are specified.

Answer 6

System Analysis

Question 7

A new or alternative information system is designed

Answer 7

Systems design

Question 8

New hardware and software are acquired, developed and
tested

Answer 8

Systems development

Question 9

The new information system is installed and adapted to the
new system, and people are trained to use it

Answer 9

Systems implementation

Question 10

In this ongoing phase, the system is periodically evaluated
and updated as needed

Answer 10

Systems Maintenance

Question 11

Computer professionals studying an organization’s systems to determine what actions to take and how to use computer technology to assist them.

Answer 11

Systems Analysts

Question 12

2nd top job classification after Computer Engineer (in terms of salary, prestige and security)

Answer 12

Computer Systems Analysts

Question 13

Why it is important that end user understand how the systems life cycle works

Answer 13

▪ You may have to use the procedure
▪ More and more end users are developing their own information systems
▪ Will raise your computer competency
▪ Give you skills to solve wide range of problems
▪ Make you more valuable to an organization

Question 14

◼ Determine the need for new information system
◼ Requested by an end user or a manager who
wants something done that is not presently
done

Answer 14

Phase 1 Preliminary Investigation

Question 15

Three tasks Systems Analysts/End User is concerned with

Answer 15

1. Briefly defining the problem
2. Suggesting alternative solutions
3. Preparing a short report

Question 16

◼ examine whatever current information system is in use
◼ determine what information is needed, by whom, when, and why is accomplished by
interviewing and making observations
▪ Large information systems => Survey is done by a systems analysts
▪ Small information systems => Survey can be done by the end user

Answer 16

Defining the problem

Question 17

Suggest some possible plans as alternatives to the present arrangement

Answer 17

Suggesting alternative solutions

Question 18

The systems analyst writes a report summarizing the results of the preliminary investigation and suggesting alternative systems
▪ Report may include schedules for further development of the project.
▪ This document is presented to higher management, along with a recommendation to continue or discontinue the project
▪ Management then decide whether to finance the second phase

Answer 18

Preparing a short report

Question 19

Problem -> Alternative -> Report -> Analysis

Answer 19

Phase 1 Preliminary Investigation

Question 20

◼ Data is collected about the present system
▪ This data is then analyzed, and new requirements are determined
▪ Not concerned with a new design
▪ Only with determining the requirements for a new system
◼ Concerned with gathering then analyzing the data
◼ Completed by documenting the analysis in a report

Answer 20

Phase 2 Systems Analysis

Question 21

Gather -> Analyze -> Report -> Design

Answer 21

Phase 2 systems analysis

Question 22

◼ The systems analyst/end user doing systems analysis-expands on the data gathered during Phase 1
▪ Add details about how the current system works
◼ Data is/may be obtained
▪ Observations and interviews
▪ From questionnaires given to people using the system
▪ Studying documents that describe the formal lines of authority and standard operating procedures

Answer 22

Gathering Data

Question 23

◼ Shows levels of management and formal lines of authority
◼ Resembles the hierarchy of three levels of management
▪ Top managers
▪ Middle managers
▪ supervisors

Answer 23

Organizational Chart

Question 24

◼ The idea is to learn how information currently flows and to pinpoint why it isn’t flowing appropriately
◼ Apply logic to existing arrangement to see how workable it is

Answer 24

Analyzing the data

Question 25

Analysis tools

Answer 25

◼ Checklists ◼ Top-down Analysis Method ◼ Grid Charts ◼ Decision Tables ◼ Systems Flowcharts ◼ Data Flow Diagrams ◼ Automated Design Tools

Question 26

◼ A list of questions ◼ Helpful in guiding the systems analyst/end user through key issues for the present system

Answer 26

Checklist

Question 27

◼ Identify the top-level components of a complex system ◼ Each component is then broken down into smaller and smaller components ▪ Makes each component easier to analyze and deal with

Answer 27

Top-down Analysis Method

Question 28

◼ Shows the relationship between input and output documents

Answer 28

Grid charts

Question 29

◼ Show the decision rules that apply when certain conditions occur

Answer 29

Decision Tables

Question 30

◼ Show the flow of input data to processing and finally to output, or distribution of information

Answer 30

System flowcharts

Question 31

◼ Show the data or information flow within the system ◼ The data is traced from its origin through processing, storage and output

Answer 31

Data Flow diagram

Question 32

◼ Software packages that evaluate the hardware and software alternatives according to requirements given by the systems analyst ◼ also called Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools ◼ These tools are not limited to system analysis ▪ Used in system design and development as well ◼ Relieve the systems analysts of many repetitive tasks ◼ Develop clear documentation, ◼ Coordinate team member activities (for larger projects)

Answer 32

Automated Design Tools

Question 33

◼ Systems analysis report describes - the current information system - the requirements for a new system - a possible development schedule

Answer 33

Documenting Systems Analysis

Question 34

Consist of 3 tasks ◼ Designing alternative systems ◼ Selecting the best system ◼ Writing a systems design report

Answer 34

Phase 3: Systems Design

Question 35

Feasibility ◼ Economic feasibility ◼ Technical feasibility ◼ Operational feasibility

Answer 35

Designing Alternative Systems

Question 36

◼ Will the cost of the new system by the benefits it promises ◼ How long will it take for the new system to pay for itself

Answer 36

Economic feasibility

Question 37

◼ Are reliable hardware, software, and training available to make the system work? ◼ If not, can they be obtained?

Answer 37

Technical feasibility

Question 38

◼ Can the system actually be made to operate in the organization, or will people – employees, managers, clients – resist it?

Answer 38

Operational Feasibility

Question 39

Managers must consider these four questions ◼ Will the system fit in with the organization’s overall information system? ◼ Will the system be flexible enough so it can be modified in the future? ◼ Can it be made secure against unauthorized use? ◼ Are the benefits worth the costs?

Answer 39

Selecting the best system

Question 40

◼ Is prepared for higher management and describes the alternative designs ◼ Presents the costs versus the benefits and outlines the effect of alternative designs on the organization ◼ Usually concludes by recommending one of the alternatives

Answer 40

Writing a systems design report

Question 41

3 steps ◼ Acquiring software ◼ Acquiring hardware ◼ Testing the new system

Answer 41

Phase 4: Systems Development

Question 42

2 ways to obtain application software ◼ Purchased as off-the-shelf software and possibly modified ◼ Custom designed

Answer 42

Acquiring Software

Question 43

◼ The equipment needed and the places where they are to be installed must be determined ▪ a very critical area ◼ Switching or upgrading equipment can be tremendously expensive proposition ▪ Will a computer system be sufficient as a company grows? ▪ Are networks expandable? ▪ Will people have to undergo costly training?

Answer 43

Acquiring hardware

Question 44

◼ After the software and equipment have been installed, the system should be tested. ◼ Sample data is fed into the system. ◼ The processed information is then evaluated to see whether results are correct. ◼ Testing may take several months if the new system is complex.

Answer 44

Testing the new system

Question 45

Another name for Phase 5

Answer 45

Conversion

Question 46

◼ Direct Approach ◼ Parallel Approach ◼ Pilot Approach ◼ Phased Approach

Answer 46

Types of Conversion

Question 47

Types of Conversion

Answer 47

◼ Direct Approach ◼ Parallel Approach ◼ Pilot Approach ◼ Phased Approach

Question 48

- Abandon the old - Very risky; not recommended

Answer 48

Direct Approach

Question 49

- Run old and new side by side - Very low risk; however, very expensive; not generally recommended

Answer 49

Parallel Approach

Question 50

- Convert part of organization first - Less expensive but riskier than parallel conversion; recommended for situations that many people performing similar operations

Answer 50

Pilot Approach

Question 51

- Implement gradually - Less risky but more expensive than parallel conversion; Recommended for situations with many people performing different operations

Answer 51

Phased Approach

Question 52

◼ Training people is important ◼ One of the most commonly overlooked activities

Answer 52

Training

Question 53

◼ Very important, ongoing activity ◼ Most organization spend more time and money on this phase than on any of the others.

Answer 53

Phase 6: Systems Maintenance

Question 54

2 parts of systems maintenance

Answer 54

◼ Systems Audit ◼ Periodic Evaluation

Question 55

◼ The system’s performance is compared to the original design specifications ▪ To determine whether the new procedures are actually furthering productivity ▪ If they are not, some redesign may be necessary

Answer 55

Systems Audit

Question 56

◼ After the systems audit, the new information system is further modified, if necessary. ◼ All systems should be evaluated from time to time ▪ to determine whether they are ▪ meeting the goals ▪ providing the service they are supposed to

Answer 56

Systems Evaluation

Question 57

Alternative Approaches that require much less time

Answer 57

◼ Prototyping ◼ Rapid Applications Development

Question 58

◼ Means building a model or prototype that can be modified before the actual system is installed ◼ Users would try it out and provide feedback to the systems analyst ◼ The systems analyst would revise the prototype until the users felt it was ready to put into place.

Answer 58

Prototyping

Question 59

◼ Involves the use of powerful development software, small specialized teams, and highly trained personnel.

Answer 59

Rapid Applications Development