A Good System Analyst

Characteristics of a Good System Analyst

The first chapter talks about “The World of the Information System Analyst. It explains the concept of an information system, describes the various types of systems an analyst might work on, explain the key role of a systems analyst in business, and explain the importance of technical, people, and business skills for an analyst. First we define what system analysis is. It’s a process of understanding in detail what a system should accomplish. It is about understanding the goals and strategies of the business and defining the information requirements that support those goals and strategies. Most importantly, systems analysis is not about programming. A system analyst plays a major role in a project team which works primarily for an information system. A system is defined as a group of interrelated components functioning together to achieve an outcome. An information system (IS) is a collection of interrelated components that collect, process, store, and provide as output information needed to complete tasks (Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition). A systems analyst researches problem, plans solutions, recommends software and systems, and coordinates development to meet business or other requirements (wikipedia).The system analyst also develops information systems that support strategic planning. A systems analyst may: interact with the customers to learn and document requirements, interact with designers to understand software limitations, help programmers during system development, perform system testing, deploy the completed system, document requirements or contribute to user manuals. There are various roles that a system analyst plays: as a business problem-solver, as a consultant, as a supporting agent, as an agent of change (Systems Analysis Fundamentals: Assuming the Role of the System Analyst). Because the information system analyst performs important tasks, there are skills and characteristics that the system analyst must possess to be a good one. The required skills include business knowledge and skills, technical knowledge and skills, and people knowledge and skills. Basically, a system analyst must have fundamental understanding of the various information technologies specifically on the technical part. Familiarity with the use of computers and peripheral devices and other hardware could be one. The system analyst should have knowledge about programming languages, operating systems, file and database management systems, computer networks and protocols and others. A system analyst must also understand the business functions performed by the organization, of how it operates, manage its processes, including the strategies, plans, values, and structure of the organization. People knowledge and skills typically indicate the interpersonal skills of a person. System analyst must be able to have good communication skills because a system analyst is an effective communicator and collaborator.

An information systems analyst has three areas of responsibility: review specifications, test, and document. An information systems analyst typically has a university or college degree in computer science, information technology systems, or computer programming. Information systems analysts can find employment opportunities in a broad range of information technology companies and departments of large organizations. The role of information systems analyst is critical to maintaining a specific level of quality while working with the primary computer systems.

The primary role of the information systems analyst is to review project specifications. This document provides details on the functions of the potential solution, user interface methods, reporting, supporting platform, and other features. The analyst reviews and refines the specifications used to develop or write computer software. The analyst is expected to maintain an expert level of knowledge about the software program, so they can provide advice and guidance about what is possible and how long it will take. According to Computer Sciene of Udayana State University Systems analysts need to have working knowledge in many information technologies. Some examples include networking, graphical user interfaces, database programming and design, software and application development, and Internet manipulation. Some medium and large businesses hold seminars to keep employees updated on new technologies. Another skill that systems analysts should definitely have is communication skill. Communication is very important to systems analysts, in both writing and speaking, because the process of solving a business problem requires communication with many people in the business. Systems analysts communicate with the business system owner’s to identify the problem with the system, they communicate with the users of the system to figure out the needs or find out solutions to problems, and they deal with programmers in order to use the information technology to solve the system’s problem. Thus, communication skill is a significant factor in the success of a systems analyst in solving a business problem. Some examples of subjects that could be very helpful to effectively improve personal communication skills are business speaking, business writing, interviewing, technical discussion, and technical writing. Systems analysts can work in many of businesses. Several of the modern businesses focus on the use of technologies in their systems. Systems analysts work with almost every department of the business that is involved in solving the system problem. In some cases, systems analysts specialize in business problems or in computer-based problems depending on the specifications of the problem. Occasionally during the process of solving the problem, system analysts come across confidential documents or data, like employees personal information. The protection of this information is a huge responsibility. Systems analysts must hold a very important characteristic, which is ethics. Ethics is the standards governing the conduct of a person. Trust is easy to lose but hard to gain.

What is the key role of a Systems Analyst?

A Systems Analyst serves as a business professional who uses analysis and design techniques to solve business problems using information technology. As we all know information technology is the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware, which deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and securely retrieve information. The typical problems a systems analyst solves are customers want to order product anytime of the day, suppliers want to minimize inventory holding costs, marketing wants to know customer needs better, management want to analyze financial information more efficiently. It systematically assesses how users interact with technology and businesses function by examining the inputting and processing of data and the outputting of information with the intent of improving organizational processes.

According to book entitled assuming the role of system analyst that there are three primary roles of the systems analyst are consultant, supporting expert, and agent of change.

Systems Analyst As Consultant

The systems analyst frequently acts as a systems consultant to humans and their businesses and, thus, may be hired specifically to address information systems issues within a business. Such hiring can be an advantage because outside consultants can bring with them a fresh perspective that other people in an organization do not possess. It also means that outside analysts are at a disadvantage because the true organizational culture can never be known to an outsider. As an outside consultant, you will rely heavily on the systematic methods discussed throughout this text to analyze and design appropriate information systems for users working in a particular business. In addition, you will rely on information systems users to help you understand the organizational culture from others’ viewpoints.

Systems Analyst As Supporting Expert

Another role that you may be required to play is that of supporting expert within a business for which you are regularly employed in some systems capacity. In this role the analyst draws on professional knowledge concerning computer hardware and software and their uses in the business. This work is often not a total systems project, but rather it entails a small adjustment or decision affecting a single department. As the support expert, you are not managing the project; you are simply serving as a resource for those who are. If you are a systems analyst employed by a manufacturing or service organization, many of your daily activities may be encompassed by this role.

Systems Analyst as Agent of Change

The most comprehensive and responsible role that the system analyst takes on is that of an agent of change, whether internal or external to the business. As an analyst, you are an agent of change whenever you perform any of the activities in the systems development life cycle (discussed in the next section) and are present and interacting with users and the business for an extended period (from two weeks to more than a year). An agent of change can be defined as a person who serves as a catalyst for change, develops a plan for change, and works with others in facilitating that change. Your presence in the business changes it. As a systems analyst, you must recognize this fact and use it as a starting point for your analysis. Hence, you must interact with users and management (if they are not one and the same) from the very beginning of your project. Without their help you cannot understand what they need to support their work in the organization, and real change cannot take place. If change (that is, improvements to the business that can be realized through information systems) seems warranted after analysis, the next step is to develop a plan for change along with the people who must enact the change. Once a consensus is reached on the change that is to be made, you must constantly interact with those who are changing.

As a systems analyst acting as an agent of change, you advocate a particular avenue of change involving the use of information systems. You also teach users the process of change, because changes in the information system do not occur independently but cause changes in the rest of the organization as well.

Systems Analyst Required Skills

Understanding the goals and strategies of a business and defining the information requirements that support those goals and strategies are a mighty hard task done by a Systems Analyst. This task requires specific skills and these are: Technical Knowledge, Business Knowledge and People Knowledge.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

A Systems Analyst should have technical knowledge and skills in both tools and techniques. When we say technical knowledge and skills in tools, he/she should be acquainted or has knowledge with computers / peripheral devices (hardware) ,communication networks and connectivity, database and database management systems (DBMS), programming languages (for example, VB.NET or Java), operating systems and utilities, software productivity packages, integrated development environments (IDEs) for programming languages, and CASE tools, testing, documentation support, reverse engineering, configuration management. On the other hand, when we say technical knowledge and skills in techniques, he/she should be acquainted or has knowledge with project planning, systems analysis, systems design, database design, network design, construction, implementation, and systems support.

Business Knowledge and Skills

A Systems Analyst’ primary task is to solve business problems, thus he/she should know the business functions performed by the organization. Some of these are strategies, plans, traditions, and values of the organization, organizational structure, organization management techniques, functional work processes

People Knowledge and Skills

Systems analysts need to understand how people think, learn, react to change, communicate, and work (in a variety of jobs and levels). Interpersonal and communication skills are crucial in obtaining information, motivating people, getting cooperation, understanding the complexity and workings of an organization in order to provide necessary support.

Characteristics of a good Systems Analyst

As I have search through the internet these are the answers from the Yahoo! Answers on what are the characteristics of being a good system analyst.

1. The system analyst must be able to communicate in writing and orally.

2. The analyst must easily get along with people.

3. The analyst must be a good listener and be able to react to what people say.

4. The analyst must be knowledgeable of technology. The analyst is not expected to know the intricacies of programming, but a decent general knowledge of concepts and terms are essential.

5. The analyst must be knowledgeable of business. The analyst is not expected to be an expert in business but a decent understanding of the client's world is required.

Qualities of the Systems Analyst

From the foregoing descriptions of the roles the systems analyst plays, it is easy to see that the successful systems analyst must possess a wide range of qualities. Many different kinds of people are systems analysts, so any description is destined to fall short in some way. There are some qualities, however, that most systems analysts seem to display. Above all, the analyst is a problem solver. He or she is a person who views the analysis of problems as a challenge and who enjoys devising workable solutions. When necessary, the analyst must be able to systematically tackle the situation at hand through skillful application of tools, techniques, and experience. The analyst must also be a communicator capable of relating meaningfully to other people over extended periods of time. Systems analysts need to be able to understand humans’ needs in interacting with technology, and they need enough computer experience to program, to understand the capabilities of computers, to glean information requirements from users, and to communicate what is needed to programmers. They also need to possess strong personal and professional ethics to help them shape their client relationships. The systems analyst must be a self-disciplined, self-motivated individual who is able to manage and coordinate other people, as well as innumerable project resources. Systems analysis is a demanding career, but, in compensation, an ever-changing and always challenging one.

Characteristics I have as a good system analyst

I can say that I have some of the skills and characteristics system analysts have. The good thing with this is that I am still learning the knowledge and skills to become a good system analyst someday. Being a system analyst is a tough job and it’s not easy. Through the help of projects we have right now and a long learning process; soon I can be good system analyst.

Reference:

http://thinkexist.com/quotes/with/keyword/characteristics/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_technology

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080725042042AA2MqMh

http://www.bls.gov/K12/computers06.htm

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-information-systems-analyst.htm

http://www.prenhall.com/behindthebook/0132240858/pdf/Kendall_Feature1_Why_We_Wrote_This_Book.pdf