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UGANDA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY Faculty of Science and Technology

Department of Information Technology

IT2103: System Analysis and Design

1. Course Outline

Program: BSCS II (Advent Semester – 2014)Lecturer: Rebecca Asiimwe

Phone Number:+256 712-997- 544 /0704 522 081

Email: rasiimwe@technology.ucu.ac.ug

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Course Description

This course encompasses the concepts, tools and techniques required to analyze and design business information systems. This course will give an overview of Information systems analysis and design.

Students will learn about analysis and design methodologies and techniques. The course covers basic Fact- finding techniques and requirements structuring tools and techniques, modeling system processes, logical data structures and system specifications.

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Course Objectives

To become familiar with the principle, terminology and techniques of system analysis and design of business information systems

To develop critical thinking and problem solving skills such as those by system analysts

To improve written and verbal communication skills such as those needed by analysts

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Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student should: Know what makes up an information system Know how to start an information system

project Plan for the system, feasibility study Be able to analyze a system, propose new

system and design a new system Be able to indicate requirements of a new

system prior to development

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Course Outline by Topic

Basic Concepts and information system OverviewThe system Development Environment; The system

development Life Cycle and different Development Methodologies

System Planning; Preliminary investigation and Feasibility study

Requirements Determination; Traditional and modern methods

Structuring System Requirements; Process modeling-Data Flow Diagrams

Logical modeling-structured English and Decision Tables and Data modeling

System Design- design strategy, Architectural design, interface design

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Mode of Delivery and Assessment

Mode of Delivery Lecture HoursClassroom DiscussionsPractical Hours (these are field practice exercises

and assignments to appreciate the introduced concepts.)

Mode of Assessment 2 compulsory tests and a number of assignments

will be administered. The Group assignments will be presented in class.

50% of your final mark will come from your coursework assessment and the other 50% from your final Examination

 

Policy on Missed Assessments:7

No make up tests or assignments will be given to student who miss these assessments without a good reason.

Students who are not able to make it to class due to unavoidable circumstances should communicate to the lecturer in advance and should present proof (for example, a medical slip from the university clinic) of the matter hindering them from attending classes or any tests on return.

Key note on plagiarism8

Any attempt by a student to represent the work of another as his or her own will lead to annulment of his or her work. This includes copying or substantially restating the work of another person or persons in any oral or written work without citing the appropriate source, and collaborating with someone else in an academic endeavor without acknowledging his or her contribution. Discussions are perfectly ok, but presenting the same work is unacceptable.

-Knowingly allowing another student to represent your work as his or her own will also lead to cancellation of both students work.

** Late submissions will affect your grade or will lead to cancellation of your work.

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Basic Reading List

1. Valacich, George & Hoffer ,Modern Systems

Analysis and Design

2. valacich, George & Hoffer ,Essentials of

System Analysis and Design

3. Donald Yeates and Tony Wakefield,System

Analysis and Design

4. Kendall & Kendal ,System Analysis and Design

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Best of Luck!!

Program: BSCS II (Advent Semester – 2014)Lecturer: Rebecca Asiimwe

Email: rasiimwe@technology.ucu.ac.ug

System Analysis and Design

2: Introduction

Course Overview

Key Questions:

1. What is Systems Analysis & Design?2. Why analysis and design?3. Who is a Systems Analyst?4. What are the skills and roles of an

analyst?

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What is system Analysis and Design (SAD)?

System Analysis: understanding and specifying in detail what an information system should do

With System Analysis more emphasis is given to understanding the details of an existing system or a proposed one and then deciding whether the proposed system is desirable or not and whether the existing system needs improvements. Thus, system analysis is the process of investigating a system, identifying problems, and using the information to recommend improvements to the system.

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Systems Design

System design : specifying in detail how the parts of an information system should be implemented.

System design is the process of defining the architecture, components, modules, interfaces and data for a system to satisfy specified requirements.

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Why is SAD important?

For the Success of information systems

Widely used in industryCareer growth in IT- Lots of

interesting and well paying jobs- systems analyst ( Senior positions)

Increasing demand for system analysis skills

To understand what the business requires from an information system

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Systems Analyst

• A systems analyst researches problems, plans solutions, recommends software and systems, and coordinates development to meet business or other requirements.

• Are familiar with a variety of programming languages, operating systems, and computer hardware platforms.

• Systems analysts write user requests into technical specifications

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Systems Analyst

• Studies the problem and needs of a business to determine how people, processes, data, communications and technology can best accomplish improvements for business

• When a computer technology is used the analyst is responsible for;– Efficient capture of data– Flow of that data to computer– Processing and storage– Flow of useful and timely information back to

business and its people

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Roles of systems Analyst

Three key roles

Systems Analyst as a ConsultantSystems analyst as Supporting expertSystems analyst as agent of change

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Role of a systems analyst

1. Investigate how information is used, handled and manipulated in an organization.

2. Identity inefficiencies in the current system used by the organization e.g. delays, high operating costs, huge clerical effort.

3. Analyze the results of the investigation that will lead to designing the system.

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Role of a systems analyst … cont’d

4. Design a specification of a new system which overcomes the inefficiencies and meets the organization objectives.

5. Oversees the process of testing during the testing of the system.

6. The analyst acts as a facilitator. She/he interfaces among many different types of people and facilitates the development of computer applications through these people.

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Where do systems analysts work

System Analysts are found in most businesses

Information system Unit in the organization

Management consulting firms like Ernest &Young

Software houses like Microsoft corporation, IBM, Lotus

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Job description

System analysts are people who understand business and computing

Transform business and information requirements of computer users into computer based technical solutions( system) implemented by computer programmers and other computer specialist

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Which people work with the Analysts?

System analyst would not exist without needs of their clients(users); end users and owners

ProgrammersDatabase specialistsNetworking specialistsComputer center specialistsHardware and software sales

representatives

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What does it take to become a successful analyst

• Working knowledge of IS and Technology• Computer programming experience and

expertise• General business knowledge• Problem solving skills• Interpersonal communication skills• Interpersonal relation skills• Flexibility and adaptability• Character and Ethics• System analysis and design skills

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Analytical Skills of an Analyst15

Systems ThinkingOrganisational KnowledgeProblem IdentificationProblem Analysing & Solving

Systems Thinking16

• Information systems are subsystems in larger organizational systems

• Identification of a system leads to abstraction

• From abstraction you can think about essential characteristics of a specific system

• Abstraction allows analysts to gain insight into a specific system, to question assumptions, provide documentation and manipulate the system without disrupting the real situation

Organisational Knowledge17

Understanding of how organizations work

Knowledge of specific functions and procedures of organization and departments

How work officially gets doneInternal policiesCompetitive and Regulatory

EnvironmentOrganizational Strategies and

Tactics

Problem Identification18

Problem: Difference between an existing situation and a desired situation.

Identification is the process of defining differences.

Differences are defined by comparing the current situation to the output of a model that predicts what the output of the final system/desired situation should be.

Problem Analysis & Solving19

Phases:Intelligence

All relevant information is collectedDesign

Alternatives are formulatedChoice

Best alternative solution is chosenImplementation

Solution is put into practice

Technical Skills of Analyst20

Constant re-education is necessary as technology changes rapidly

Understanding of a wide variety of technologies is required

Management Skills 21

• Resource Management• Project Management• Risk Management• Change Management

Interpersonal Skills 22

Mastery of interpersonal skills is paramount to succeed as a Systems Analyst

Four types of skills:• Communication skills• Working alone and with a team• Facilitating groups• Managing expectations

Q & A

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