Analysis

The Role of Analysis in the Systems Life Cycle

• Analysis is the first stage of the systems life cycle, where the current system is examined meticulously.
• One of the primary activities in this phase is problem recognition - the company acknowledges the issues with the present system and decides on the need for a new one.
• An analyst is often employed to determine the nature and scope of the problem, ascertaining its characteristics in a process known as fact-finding.
• The analyst gathers data to understand the system requirements, often via interviews, questionnaires, observation, or document analysis.
• This data is then used to create a detailed picture of the current system, identifying its strengths and weaknesses.

Key Elements of Analysis

• The primary output of the analysis stage is justifying the need for change - a well-documented explanation of how a new system could improve the efficiency and effectiveness of a company’s operations.
• The analyst would typically create a systems model or flowchart to visually represent how the current system works.
• A crucial component of the analysis phase is user involvement. The analyst communicates with potential system users to collect their ideas and feedback.
• The analysis stage also includes the formulation of goals and objectives for the new system, which should align with the broader objectives of the company.

Importance of Analysis

• Proper analysis reduces the chances of problems surfacing later during the development stage, thus minimising the risk of project failure.
• Analysis is key to determining the System Requirements Specification (SRS), a document that describes the intended purpose and environment for software or a system under development.
• A comprehensive analysis ensures that the new system will meet the needs of end-users, thus enhancing the system’s user acceptance.
• The analysis phase sets the foundation for the subsequent stages in the systems life cycle - Design, Implementation, Testing and Evaluation.