System Analysis: Business Procedures

Introduction to System Analysis

• A system consists of interrelated business procedures within a business unit, working together for a specific purpose.
• Systems exist within an environment and are separated by defined boundaries.
• Examples of systems include solar systems, digestive systems, public transport, central heating, computer, and information systems.
• Systems consist of a set of objects and relationships viewed as a whole, designed to achieve a purpose.
• Systems consist of related things working together, whether real, imaginary, or conceptual, to achieve an overall goal.
• A system can be described in terms of objects (entities), attributes, events, activities, and processes.
• An object is a point of interest within the system.
• An attribute denotes a property or characteristic of the object.
• An event occurs at an instance in time, changing the state the system.
• An activity occurs over a period of time and begins/ends with an event.
• A process is the changes of an object over some time.

Characteristics of a System

• Include components, interrelated components, a boundary, purpose, environment, interfaces, constraints, input, and output.

Subsystems

• Systems can be composed of subsystems to better enhance the system's overall functionality.
• A subsystem is essentially a system within a system.
• For example, a car is a system comprised of an engine system, body system, and frame system.
• Each subsystem consists of sub-subsystems (e.g., an engine system consists of a carburetor, generator, and fuel system).

Important System Concepts

• Decomposition the breaking down of a primary system into smaller components.
  • Decomposition allows for better manageability, focus, independence, and efficiency when building different components.
• Modularity, by dividing a system into modules of uniform size, is helpful when making complex systems
• Coupling, means the system is reliant on multiple subservient systems to function.
• Cohesion refers to the degree of focus of a subsystem.

Properties of a System

• Organization implies structure and order and components must have defined objectives.
• Interaction is how different components operate the the system.
• Interdependence is that the reliance each component has on another.
• Integration refers to how the different system components are connected to each other.
• A central objective is important for the users and application to be successful.

Elements of a System

• Consist of input, output, a processor, control, feedback, boundaries, and interfaces.
• The processor transforms input into output.
• Control guides the system.
• Feedback provides control in dynamic systems and can be positive (routine) or negative (informational).
• Environment refers to external elements that impacts the system.
• Boundaries define the systems components, process capabilities, and interrelationships.

Types of Systems

• Physical or abstract: Physical systems are tangible, while abstract systems are conceptual (e.g. formulas).
• Open or closed: Open systems interact with their environment; closed systems do not and are rare in reality.
• Adaptive or non-adaptive: Adaptive systems respond to environmental changes to improve performance, unlike non-adaptive systems.
• Permanent or temporary: Permanent systems persist long-term, while temporary systems are for a specified duration.
• Natural or manufactured: Natural systems occur naturally, while manufactured systems are man-made.
• Deterministic or probabilistic: Deterministic systems operate predictably, while probabilistic systems exhibit uncertain behavior.
• Social, human-machine, machine: Social systems are made of people; human-machine systems involve both, and machine systems operate autonomously.
• Man-made information systems manage data and are divided into formal, informal, and computer-based systems.
• Formal Information Systems deal with information flow from managerial top to bottom.
• Informal Information Systems are used to solve day-to-day problems.
• Computer Based Systems rely heavily on the use of computers.
• Open System is a system with exogenous activities.
• Closed Systems have no input or output.
• Continuous Systems have smooth transitions.
• Discrete Systems have discontinuous transitions.
• Adaptive Systems reacts with it's environment.
• Nonadaptive Systems has no reaction with it's environment.

System Analysis

• Is the process to study a procedure, business to identify areas of improvements.
• Focuses on collecting and interpreting facts, identifing issues, and system decomposition to improve efficiency and ensure components effectively fulfill their purpose.
• Is an initial of a software development project involving the requirements gathered, analyzed, and documented.
• Key activities of system analysis include:
• Requirement gathering
• Requirement analysis
• Feasibility Studies
• Process and data modeling
• It encompasses techniques such as interviews, surveys, observation, document analysis, and prototyping.
• An example application is fraudulent detection systems

System Design

• Is a process for creating a blueprint for the system's components, interactions, and architecture.
• System Design facilitates a more technical construction system for functional and business needs.
• Involves specification on how elements should interact and what each one must do, with focus given to the management off data.
• The main objectives of systems design are practicality, accuracy, completeness, efficiency, reliability, optimization, and scalability.
• The main components of system design include architectural, database, communication, and algorithm design, as well as security, testing, and documentation planning.
• System Analysis and Design (SAD) primarily focuses on systems, processes, and technology.
• The benefits of SAD are enhanced efficiency, cost savings, improved decision-making, adaptability to change, and stakeholder satisfaction.
• The differences between system analysis and system design can be categorized in terms of focus (problem understanding vs. solution specification), output (requirements document vs. design specifications), techniques, and level of detail (high-level vs. detailed).
• System Analysis and design are closely interconnected where the output of analysis phase will serve as the input for system design.

System Analysis and Design - Conclusion

• System Analysis and System Design are two complimentary phases critical in developing software systems.
• System analysis and system design are essential phases in the development of software systems.
• Organizations can maximize success by focusing on high-quality, efficient, and user-friendly software systems.

Systems Analyst

• Is a professional who optimizes business' computer systems and processes.
• The system analyst is thoroughly aware of the system and guides the system development to meet the organization goals.
• Job titles for systems analysts include IT analyst, system admin, business analyst, etc.
• Computer systems analyst actions involve analyzing, designing, implementation, testing, and providing support of systems/processes for client needs.
• Required skills include technical proficiency, analytical/critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication, and attention to detail.
• Systems analysts are employed across media, tech, health, and finances industries.
• System analysts improve business and organizations
• Their responsibilities stretch to span to system analysis and design to implementation, testing, and maintenance
• Blend of technical skill, analytical, and critical thinking and communications skills can drive innovation and efficiency.