Last Friday, December 11, 2009, we had successfully interviewed a System Analyst from the Davao Light and Power Company at
All organizations rely on computer and information technology to conduct business and operate efficiently. That is why in our generation for today would always need Systems Analyst. A System Analyst is a business professional who uses analysis and design techniques to solve business problems using information technology.
A System Analyst has three required skills to be considered. It includes the ability to work on the technical and business side and also the ability to handle people, which is the most important skill.
Out of the all the written purpose, skills and the job of a System Analyst, our interviewee have agreed that the very fundamental skill a System Analyst should well thought-out is the communication skill. Communication skill includes effective interpersonal communication (written, verbal, visual, electronic, face-to-face conversations, presentations in front of groups), listening, and group facilitation skills If a System Analyst possess this skill, according to him, and they could easily motivate people. And with the client's side it will not be hard for them to communicate with each other and would make their business work smoothly and well. Sometimes lack of communication leads to misunderstanding resulting to project failures later on. Because this communication and interpersonal skill is very crucial in obtaining information, in motivating the people around you or their clients that is why this skill should be use in the right way and be develop in order to expedite his role as a System Analyst. They should first and foremost have people skills. You have to be able to work with a variety of people and be able to work in teams. You should be an assertive person also. A good systems analysis should be able to take initiative and do things without being told. Also this person should have good reasoning and problem solving skills. These are all things that should be within the person naturally along with the actual computer skills necessary to analyze systems for a client. A systems analyst must possess good interpersonal communication skills because they must be able to converse back and forth with the client over what the problem is and how to go about finding the best solution.
The systems analyst (sometimes called systems architect or systems designer) orchestrates the effort. He starts by interviewing users, teasing out what they need as opposed to what they want—the nice-to-have things usually cost more than necessary. He often uses modeling software to evaluate what-ifs.
System Analysts need good speaking and writing skills, too, so that they can explain their systems and give good instructions to their clients.
Then, members of the team develop a shopping list, plot a step-by-step game plan, implement the system, test it, and troubleshoot. They also might supervise the trainers, who will try their best to convince everyone that the new system "really will make your life easier."
According to him, the understanding of the complexity and workings of an organization in order to provide necessary support is one of their tasks which are one of the issues a System Analyst encounter.
Another skill he thinks to be developed in order to be more effective in any modeling process is the technical skills. This includes the knowledge about the system application, administrative works, business functions, and technical functions. He should know about all the systems of the company. How it functions and what should be the proper things being processed by the company's system.
· System Application
In some organizations, programmer-analysts design and update the software that runs a computer. They also create custom applications tailored to their organization’s tasks. Because they are responsible for both programming and systems analysis, these workers must be proficient in both areas. As this dual proficiency becomes more common, analysts are increasingly working with databases, object-oriented programming languages, client–server applications, and multimedia and Internet technology. Computer systems analysts start their work by asking people what they need their computers to do. Then, they plan a computer system that can do those tasks well. A system can include many computers working together and different types of software and tools.
After System analysts understand what the system needs to do, they break down the task into small steps. They draw diagrams and charts to show how information will get into the computers, how that information will be processed, and how it will get to the people who need it. For example, System analysts might decide how sales information will get into a store's computers and how the computer will add up the information in a way that makes it useful for store managers.
System Analysts experiment with different computer system plans. They try various tools and steps until they find the system that is fastest, easiest, and least expensive.
After planning a system, System analysts test it to make sure it works. They check to make sure that information is processed quickly and without mistakes. They also watch to see if the system is easy to use. Often, they have to change their plans to make the systems better.
· Business functions
Some analysts also have a master's degree in business. This helps them to understand the types of computers that businesses need. As a System Analyst you must know your business processes, know your customer interfaces, know your system interfaces, know your rules, regs and laws, know all there is to know about the data and put on your "real world glasses". If you want to encourage folks to take up this role/job, teach them about critical thinking. Learning about programming, modeling and architecture are fine but I'll guarantee you that even if you excel at all these skills, if you can't ferret out the real data requirements you'll never truly be a successful Analyst.
· Technical functions
When a system is approved, systems analysts determine what computer hardware and software will be needed to set it up. They coordinate tests and observe the initial use of the system to ensure that it performs as planned. They prepare specifications, flow charts, and process diagrams for computer programmers to follow; then they work with programmers to “debug,” or eliminate errors, from the system. Systems analysts who do more in-depth testing may be called software quality assurance analysts. In addition to running tests, these workers diagnose problems, recommend solutions, and determine whether program requirements have been met.
Next, System analysts decide which computers, software, and tools to buy. They also tell computer programmers how to make any new software that is needed. They give the programmers step-by-step instructions. Some analysts help make the software, too.
He also added the networking capabilities of the System Analyst to be developed. Because the main job for some systems analysts is getting computers to work together. They connect them into a network. Analysts decide how to get information from one computer to another. Many help people get data from the Internet. Systems analysts work to make the computer systems within an organization, or across organizations, compatible so that information can be shared. Many systems analysts are involved with these “networking” tasks, connecting all the computers internally, in an individual office, department, or establishment, or externally, as when setting up e-commerce networks to facilitate business among companies.
From our interviewee, logical thinking skills are also important. Because System Analysts need to understand computers, math, and planning in order to do his job well. They need to know math so that they can solve problems and figure out how much computer power different systems would use.
The last should be the wide knowledge on how to model data and processes. It is not necessary that a System Analysts is good in programming. Being a systems analyst requires programming skill, but as important is the ability to see the big picture: translate geek speak into plain English, identify the organization's needs, and get everybody on board. Creative liberal-arts types with computer expertise may make better systems analysts than pure techies.
To begin an assignment, systems analysts consult managers and users to define the goals of the system. Analysts then design a system to meet those goals. They specify the inputs that the system will access, decide how the inputs will be processed, and format the output to meet users needs. System Analysts use techniques such as structured analysis, data modeling, information engineering, mathematical model building, sampling, and cost accounting to make sure their plans are efficient and complete. They also may prepare cost-benefit and return-on-investment analyses to help management decide whether implementing the proposed technology would be financially feasible.
Listed above are the fundamental skills a System Analyst should be developing in order to maximize his role in an organization he will be working.
References:
http://www.systemsanalyst.com/
http://www.blurtit.com/q170760.html
http://www.umsl.edu/~sauterv/analysis/3skills.html
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