Systems Development Tools and Methods

System analysts use various techniques, including modeling, prototyping, and computer-aided systems engineering tools to plan, design, and implement information systems.
Modeling produces a graphical representation of a computer or process that systems developers can analyze, test, and modify.
System analysts use business, data, object, network, and process models to describe and simplify an information system.

Prototyping tests system concepts and provides an opportunity to examine input, output, and user interfaces before final decisions are made.
A prototype is an early working version of an information system that can serve as an initial model or develop into the final version of the system.

CASE tools are software that helps system analysts develop and maintain information systems.
CASE tools provide an overall framework for systems development and support a wide variety of design methodologies, including structured analysis and object-oriented analysis.
Visible Analyst (VA) is an example of a CASE tool that enables systems analysts to do graphical planning, analysis, and design.

Central Repository: a central place of storage for product specifications, requirement documents, related reports, and diagrams.
Upper CASE Tools: used in planning, analysis, and design stages of SDLC.
Lower CASE Tools: used in implementation, testing, and maintenance.
Integrated CASE Tools: helpful in all stages of SDLC, from requirement gathering to testing and documentation.

Structured Analysis: a traditional systems development technique that is time-tested and easy to understand, uses a series of phases called System Development Life Cycle (SLDC) to plan, analyze, design, implement, and support an information system.
Object-Oriented (O-O) Analysis: treats data and processes as a single entity, views the system in terms of objects that represent actual people, things, transactions, and events.
Agile Methods: develop a system incrementally by building a series of prototypes and constantly adjusting them to user requirements, emphasizing continuous feedback and collaboration.

Customer satisfaction through early and continuous delivery of valuable software
Embracing changes and welcoming new requirements
Speed delivery through frequent releases
Collaboration between business people and developers
Empowerment of motivated individuals
Effective communication through face-to-face conversation
Working software as the primary measure of progress
Steadiness through sustainable development
Operational excellence through continuous attention to technical excellence
Simplicity by maximizing the amount of work not done
Self-organization and emergence of architectures, requirements, and designs
Continuous improvement through regular reflection and adjustment

System analysts use various techniques, including modeling, prototyping, and computer-aided systems engineering tools to plan, design, and implement information systems.
Modeling produces a graphical representation of a computer or process that systems developers can analyze, test, and modify.
System analysts use business, data, object, network, and process models to describe and simplify an information system.

Prototyping tests system concepts and provides an opportunity to examine input, output, and user interfaces before final decisions are made.
A prototype is an early working version of an information system that can serve as an initial model or develop into the final version of the system.

CASE tools are software that helps system analysts develop and maintain information systems.
CASE tools provide an overall framework for systems development and support a wide variety of design methodologies, including structured analysis and object-oriented analysis.
Visible Analyst (VA) is an example of a CASE tool that enables systems analysts to do graphical planning, analysis, and design.

Central Repository: a central place of storage for product specifications, requirement documents, related reports, and diagrams.
Upper CASE Tools: used in planning, analysis, and design stages of SDLC.
Lower CASE Tools: used in implementation, testing, and maintenance.
Integrated CASE Tools: helpful in all stages of SDLC, from requirement gathering to testing and documentation.

Structured Analysis: a traditional systems development technique that is time-tested and easy to understand, uses a series of phases called System Development Life Cycle (SLDC) to plan, analyze, design, implement, and support an information system.
Object-Oriented (O-O) Analysis: treats data and processes as a single entity, views the system in terms of objects that represent actual people, things, transactions, and events.
Agile Methods: develop a system incrementally by building a series of prototypes and constantly adjusting them to user requirements, emphasizing continuous feedback and collaboration.

Customer satisfaction through early and continuous delivery of valuable software
Embracing changes and welcoming new requirements
Speed delivery through frequent releases
Collaboration between business people and developers
Empowerment of motivated individuals
Effective communication through face-to-face conversation
Working software as the primary measure of progress
Steadiness through sustainable development
Operational excellence through continuous attention to technical excellence
Simplicity by maximizing the amount of work not done
Self-organization and emergence of architectures, requirements, and designs
Continuous improvement through regular reflection and adjustment