Systems Analysis

Systems Analysis

Systems Analysis is an aspect of computer science that involves studying a system to understand its components and their relationships. This is particularly helpful when designing a new system or diagnosing problems in an existing one.

  • Purpose of Systems Analysis: It helps to understand the system’s operation, identify problems, and determine what changes can be made to improve output or efficiency.

  • Feasibility Study: A process intended to determine if a new or revamped system is possible and manageable from a financial, technical, and organisational standpoint.

  • Requirement Analysis: This involves understanding the essential requirements of a computer-based system. This would include the functions the system must perform and the constraints within which it needs to operate.

Key Concepts in Systems Analysis

  • Input: This refers to what you put into the system. It could be data, resources, time, etc.

  • Process: The operation or series of operations the system performs. This could be calculations, transactions, simulations, etc.

  • Output: This is the result or product of the system. It’s produced by the process/component of the system.

  • Feedback: Information about the output of a system that can be used to make adjustments to the input or process.

Tools Used in Systems Analysis

  • Data flow diagrams (DFDs): These are graphical representations of a system or process, and they visually signify how information moves through and interacts with a system.

  • Flowcharts: These are diagrammatic representations of an algorithm or process, showing the steps as boxes of different types, and their order by connecting them with arrows.

  • Pseudocode: This is a detailed yet readable description of what a computer program or algorithm must do, expressed in a formally-styled natural language rather than in a programming language.

  • Structure charts: These are visual representations of a system’s physical components and their interrelationships.

The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

This is a framework which describes the activities performed at each stage of a software development project. The main stages include:

  • Initiation
  • System Concept Development
  • Planning
  • Requirement Analysis
  • Design
  • Development
  • Integration and Testing
  • Implementation
  • Operations and Maintenance

Remember to understand the key purpose and activities performed at each of these stages!