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2. Information Systems
Analysis Overview
There are nine distinct phases in the
development of an information system (Problem
Recognition, Planning, Feasibility Analysis,
User Specification, System Design, System
implementation, Testing, Conversion-Operation,
Evaluation). These phases constitute what is
known as the System Life Cycle.
It should be remembered that in a design one
may need to go back to preceding stage based
on the results obtained in the current stage. The
phases are primarily intended as milestones to
access progress in designs.
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2. Information Systems
Analysis Overview
A systems analyst should interact with managers, users,
and application programmers in designing a system.
A system analyst must through discussions with users,
determine their information requirements, interact with
them during the design phase, and explain to them what
system will provide (or not provide). S/he must assign
priorities among different requirements, analyze and
evaluate existing systems and suggest improvements. An
analyst must be able to identify and solve management-
related problems in organizations, draw up specifications
and oversee implementation. An analyst should evaluate
the designed system and modify them if needed.
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2. Information Systems
Analysis Overview
A good systems analyst must know the
operation and management structure of diverse
organization, must understand both hardware
and software features of computers, must
exhibit good interpersonal relations, be able to
express his/her thoughts well, and should
realize that analysis is a continuous process
and requires life-long learning.
Also, a systems analyst should know the use of
tools such as data flow diagrams, decision
tables, prototyping systems, spreadsheets,
database systems, report generators, and
graphics systems.
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2. Information Systems
Analysis Overview
Information requirements are obtained
by a series of discussions with the top
managers, middle level managers, line
managers, and with the prospective and
identified end-users of the system.
Priorities among these are then
determined.
Consensus means agreement of
opinions or mutually agreed unanimous
decisions.
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2. Information Systems
Analysis Overview
Information Requirement Determination
V/S Specification
Information requirement determination
attempts to find out what strategic, tactical,
operational information is needed to
effectively manage organization.
Information Specification defines the
manner in which the information will be
presented and what analyzed data it will
contain.
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2. Information Systems
Analysis Overview
Feasibility Analysis is required to analyze
whether there is a reasonable chance of project
succeeding given the constraints and possible
barriers with respect to computing equipment,
human resources, data availability. In simple
terms, before investing time and money, one
should ascertain whether the resources that are
needed for the success are available. If the
resources are limited, it may result in shrinking
of goals that the system is expected to meet.
Both the quantitative and qualitative idea of cost
of the system and expected benefits from the
system needs to be carefully evaluated
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2. Information Systems
Analysis Overview
Factors taken into account before arriving at the
final specification of an Information System are:
Cost/benefit as specified in feasibility report.
Feasibility of system based on known
constraints (and possible barriers).
Priority decided by consensus among users
Users suggestion on the initial specifications

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2. Information Systems
Analysis Overview
Inputs and Outputs of System Design
Phase are:
INPUTS
Functional specification of the system
Computer configuration
OUTPUTS
Program specification
Database specification
System implementation plan
System test plan
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2. Information Systems
Analysis Overview
Activities carried out in the System
Implementation Phase are:
Program (source code) are developed
Database is created
Users operation document is written
Users are trained and the system is tested with
operational data
Characteristics of good Information system are:
Meets users requirements
Modular
Easily changeable
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2. Information Systems
Analysis Overview
Major tasks performed by Systems Analysts:
Defines requirements
Draws up priority among requirements
Gathers data, facts and opinion of users
Analyzes the existing systems in the organization
and uses this knowledge to improve the systems
Provides solutions to problems posed by
management
Draws up specification of information system
Designs the system
Evaluates the system
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2. Information Systems
Analysis Overview
Desirables attributes of system analyst:
Must know organizations function
Must know latest developments in computer
hardware and software
Can get along with diverse people at all the levels
of management
Must be able to express himself/herself and absorb
information by being a good listener
Must have an analytical mind
Must have a broad general knowledge

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2. Information Systems
Analysis Overview
Tools currently available to design systems:
DATA FLOW DIAGRAMS used to specify origin
and flow of data in the organization. It also
specifies files and rules used to process data.
DECISION TABLES used to specify processing
rules in a tabular format.
DATBASE SYSTEMS to organize and query
collection of data.
SPREADSHEET to answer What if type
questions.
REPORT GENERATOT and PROTOTYPING
SYSTEMS to get quick report formats and
sample processing rules.
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2. Information Systems
Analysis Overview
Exercise on Spreadsheet
Basics, Working with Worksheet, Working
with workbook, Building Formulae,
Functions from Function wizard like Date
and time, Logical, Text, Math & Trig,
Statistical, Financial, Formatting and
Printing a Worksheet, Sharing and
Managing Data, Analyzing Data, Charting
Data, Micro