A Good System Analyst
Last Wednesday, December 9, 2009, the group one has reported about the module one in our Systems Analysis and Design 1 subject. The report mainly discussed about The World of the Information System Analyst. The reporters have clearly stated and explained the topic very well. In view of the fact that they are in the focus of System Analyst, why not dig up on the thing a System Analyst always start of. That is the System Analysis and Design.
Based on what I read and understand in the report, Systems analysis is a process of understanding in detail what a system should accomplish. It is simply defined that System Analysis is all about understanding the goals and strategies of the business. This is where the key people plan carefully and decide their aspirations and steps on how to manage the operation and business processes their organization have. Because of the plans they have think of, in System Analysis, the people should have listed the important data rations that will aid the pursuant of those goals and aspirations the people of the organization establish.
We always mistook the fact that since we are talking about System Analysis, it is automatically about the job a programmer. Basically, System Analysis is not about programming. It is about on how an organization process to establish priorities on what they will accomplish in the future. With these strategies, these key people should pull the entire organization together around a single game plan for execution in attaining these goals.
On the other hand, let us talk about the System Design which also another factor in the world of being a System Analyst. Systems design is a process of specifying in detail how components of an information system should be physically implemented. It is very understandable that this is where an information system is being devised into an actual employment of the design a System Analyst plan to have. The system’s components are being identified detail by detail in order for the client to express the things that are really required in the Information System.
So what is Information System after all? An information system is a collection of interrelated components that collect, process, store, and provide as output the information needed to complete a business task. Example of it would be the Students Registration Management Information System (SRMIS) of the University. Maybe we might think why these are things being tackled, but as for the benefit of all of us, a System Analyst should know about it because Information System is crucial to success of modern business organization. It is constantly being developed to make business more competitive and it has a great impact in terms of the productivity and profits of an organization.
We are done with the factors a System analyst mainly deals with. The reporters have also point out a lot of situations showing on how a System Analyst really does their job. So let me define first what System Analyst means and what does a System Analyst perform in particular.
As what I have read and researched on the internet, a System Analyst is a business professional who uses analysis and design techniques to solve business problems using information technology. Systems analyst has broad knowledge and variety of skills, including technical, business, and people. A Systems analyst encounters a variety of rapidly changing technologies. A Systems analyst works on strategic plans and then system development projects. Systems Analysts solve business problems using information systems technology. So as we can see, a System Analyst has many responsibilities to consider. It is not that easy because in a real world, A System Analyst deal with a lot of client. People with different personalities, with different needs in terms of the system the client want to have. So let us first highlight on what a System Analyst exactly should have. Since they say that he should have a broad knowledge and should have a lot of skills that ought to be mull over.
Also let us remember that they surely have always a transaction with any people in the industry of many organizations. That is why a System Analyst must have a wide familiarity and awareness in the field of Information Systems. It is not only with the knowledge in Information Technology an SA should possess but also the understanding on the business side and especially the technicalities they would face in every project they will going to made. Let us also focus on the skills a System Analyst should possess.
As I have said, there is a requirement on the level a System Analyst should have knowledge with. That is in the Technical side, the business and lastly in dealing with people. On the technical and knowledge skills, these are the following things to consider. He should have better information about computers or any peripheral devices, communication networks and connectivity. The technicalities stuff, like the Database and database management systems (DBMS), Programming languages (for example, VB.NET or Java) and Operating systems and utilities are such things must be look after.
As a System Analyst, a business outlook is also a necessity wherein he could have known how to process business functions performed by organization. A System Analyst should know how to strategies plans, traditions, and values of the organization. The organizational structure, organization management techniques and the functional work processes an organization practice. Another is the skill on how to deal with people. Systems analysts need to understand how people think, learn, react to change, communicate and work in a variety of jobs and levels. Remember you will not work a boss or head here, instead you work as a solution provider and need to consider on treating with diverse behavior any client could have. Really it is a crucial job especially in obtaining information from these clients. Let us not forget also that you would also deal the people around you, your co workers. So it is also needed that you know how to motivate people and get cooperation from them.
Again and again it is never an easy job, especially in the matter of integrity. Because a System Analyst has the solely access to confidential information, such as salary, an organization’s planned projects, security systems, other things an organization entrust to them. That is why they have to be reliable and trustworthy enough that an organization will confidently delegate to them. The System Analyst plans security in systems to protect confidential information. They must keep information private because in just one mistake, any impropriety can ruin an analyst’s career.
In today’s generation, we can never deny the fact that there a lot of transformation in terms of the trends in the technology. Changes that are very swift and could not easily handle if it is not manage well. Consequently, if this is the case, a System Analyst should have the ability to work despite of these evolutions the technology has. Then it is also mentioned that a System Analyst does strategic planning and then on the system development projects. With this, a System Analyst always considers and thinks forwardly in a business. They tend to imagine the future of having these missions of a company. As what I have learned in one our lessons in Management Information System 2, “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail”. Thus, being proactive about the future is the best thing a System Analyst makes in their organization.
With Strategic planning, his performance could improve into a more competitive level. It could counter excessive inward and short-term thinking. The systems or programs that a System Analyst always encounters are never that easy. It is done for a longer time and the development of the system follows certain cycle within its growth. But in any organization, we can never avoid the problems that will arise in the middle of the business. These are the problems that we never expect and especially if it will occur in the process of acquiring outputs for a system. With this, a System Analyst must know how to solve business troubles using the things that they particularly specialized, the Information Systems Technology. They must know how to solve any issues that tend to happen. Let us take these situations where we can test the ability of a System Analyst.
Customers want to order product anytime of the day.
Suppliers want to minimize inventory holding costs.
Marketing want to know customer needs better.
Management wants to analyze financial information more efficiently.
These are the typical problems they could come across during the development of any system. So I could say that a System Analyst is really a tough job. They have to be very patient and persevere to finish a certain job according to what they agreed to accept.
But if they just have these following skills and capabilities, I think they would be an effective System Analyst as a problem solver. They should have a computer technology knowledge and programming expertise. Next is to understand the business problems. That is why he should possess a familiarity about the industry. Since they are dealing about rational concepts, a System Analyst should use logical methods for solving the unexpected problems.
Another is a System Analyst should have fundamental curiosity on anything, bringing himself a critical thinking towards any problem. Even though it has qualifications of an expertise in programming, it does not mean that he must concentrate in this matter. Instead, this time a System Analyst is more of a business problem solver than a technical programmer. And lastly, despite of all the difficulty he could face, it is still important that he knows and wants to make things better than worsening it out.
In all the things that have been discussed about the basic skills a System Analyst must possess, I could say that I could follow the characteristics of having a great interpersonal and communication skill. It will not going to be hard for me because I always like talking to people. I am confident in dealing with different people with different personalities. And I must say it is a gift that I could use if I will be a System Analyst someday. I could use this skill in any crucial transactions that I would be facing in the future since communication is the basic tool in having some business operations to other people.
Given that a System Analyst deals with integrity and security, the skill of being trustworthy, honest, the integrity and the morality are also the things I can consider that myself have. I am very willing to learn and can easily adopt with the new changes brought by the fast changing level of the technological transformation the world has.
It is very important to work professionally because this time, your name is at stake that is why you should do your job better and always make your clients satisfied on what you have done. So I must say that I possess the skills of professionalism, positive attitude, motivated, has the energy and lastly the passion.
Because I believe that even if you are the most intelligent person in the world but still you do not have the passion and humility, still you will not be successful on your chosen field.
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