System Analysis and Design - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Introduction to System Analysis Design

• System Analysis and Design Fundamentals (CSC 1403) is the course.
• This chapter introduces System Analysis and Design.

Learning Objectives

• After completing this topic, students should be able to:
  • Identify the significance of System Analysis and Design.
  • Identify the roles and responsibilities of a System Analyst.
  • Compare the four types of Information Systems.
  • Identify the tools and techniques for System Analysis and Design.

1.1 Overview of System Analysis and Design

• A method for creating and maintaining systems that perform fundamental business functions.
• The main goal is increasing staff efficiency by applying software to improve business processes.
• Structured methods are important to ensure success.
• Key elements for a Systems Analyst include:
  • Understanding organizational objectives, structures, and procedures.
  • Exploiting information technology to gain an advantage.

1.1 Overview of System Analysis and Design (continued)

• The primary objective is to improve organizational systems leveraging software development and employee training.
• Application software supports organizational functions and procedures.

1.1 Overview of System Analysis and Design (continued)

• Systems encompass hardware, software, documentation, roles, controls, and the users.

1.1 Overview of System Analysis and Design (continued)

• This section presents a visual diagram illustrating the various components of a Computer-Based Information System Application.

1.1 Overview of System Analysis and Design (continued)

• Benefits of successful System Analysis and Design include:
  • Improved Data Accuracy: reduces errors, ensuring data integrity.
  • Cost Savings: minimizes the costs of development and upkeep.
  • Enhanced Flexibility: easily adapting to system modifications.
  • Increased Productivity: streamlined processes and user-friendly interfaces

1.2 Roles as System Analyst

• Investigating the problems and necessities within an organization.
• Establishing the most effective approach for improvement. - Considering People, Methods, and Information Technology.
• Helping users and managers define the requirements for new or enhanced systems.

1.2 Roles as System Analyst (continued)

• Analytical skills for comprehending organizations.
• Problem-solving proficiency.
• Systemic thinking and recognizing organizational and information systems as systems.
• Understanding the potential and limitations of technology.

1.2 Roles as System Analyst (continued)

• Managerial abilities for effectively managing projects, resources, risks, and changes.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

1.3 Type of Information System

• Information systems collect, process, store, and disseminate information, utilized by numerous individuals for various tasks, like communication and online shopping.
• Companies use these to communicate with suppliers and customers, operate essential business functions, and administer marketing initiatives.

1.3 Type of Information System (continued)

• Presents a pyramid illustrating different management levels and the corresponding types of information systems.

1.3 Type of Information System (continued)

• Lists different business functions within Operational, Management, and Strategic levels.

a. Transaction Processing System (TPS)

• Designed for handling, recording, and managing routine, repetitive, and structured business transactions efficiently and accurately.
• Automates the process of recording business data (transactions) vital to business operations.
• Offers a foundation for management and decision-support systems.
• Example use cases: Retail point-of-sale systems, Banking ATMs, Airline Reservations, and Manufacturing tracking.

a. Transaction Processing System (TPS) (continued)

• Provides an example of a Transaction Processing System (TPS) through a Payroll example.

b. Management Information System (MIS)

• A system that gathers, processes, stores, and analyzes data to present meaningful insights for managerial decision-making and organizational operations.
• Conveys raw data into usable formats via TPS data.
• Integrates people, technology, and processes to achieve operational efficiency, and a competitive edge.
• Bridging the gap between data gathering and decision-making.

b. Management Information System (MIS) (continued)

• Provides a breakdown of the specific functions of an MIS. This encompasses Data Collection, Processing, Storage, Report Generation, and Problem Identification.

b. Management Information System (MIS) (continued)

• Examples include the Sales Reporting, Inventory Management, Financial Management, and Human Resource Systems.

b. Management Information System (MIS) (continued)

• Displays a diagram illustrating a MIS system encompassing various interconnected functions to generate reports, data processing, and data presentation.

c. Decision Support System (DSS)

• Supports complex decision-making processes,analyzing, providing insights, suggesting potential actions and solutions.
• Provides an interactive environment for decision-making.
• Used by managers and professionals, integrating human judgment and computer-aided analytics for semi/unstructured problems.

c. Decision Support System (DSS) (continued)

• Presents a list of DSS functions: Data Collection, Analysis, Scenario Evaluation, Decision Support, and Visualization

c. Decision Support System (DSS) (continued)

• Presents examples of DSS, including Financial Planning, Supply Chain, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and Healthcare DSS.

c. Decision Support System (DSS) (continued)

• Displays a diagram of an example DSS, depicting interconnection to analytical models, databases, and data collection methods.

d. Expert System

• Emulates human expertise for specific domains.
• Uses a knowledge base and reasoning algorithms for advice, complex problem-solving, and decision-making.
• A powerful tool for solving specialized problems, mirroring expert decision-making in a specific field, but it cannot fully replicate human versatility and creativity.

d. Expert System (continued)

• Lists the functions of an Expert System: Problem-solving, Decision-Making, Diagnostics, Learning and Adaptation.

d. Expert System (continued)

• Presents examples of Expert Systems: Medical Diagnosis, Engineering Design, Customer Support, Financial Planning, and Legal Advisory

d. Expert System (continued)

• Provides an illustration of an Expert System in action, specifically illustrating a medical diagnosis system.

d. Expert System (continued)

• Offers another illustration, emphasizing the application of expert systems in agriculture.

Summary of TPS, MIS, DSS, and ES

• Presents a visual representation of the four types of information systems, showcasing their interrelationships and the flow of information between them.