System AnalysisThe Purpose of System Analysis and Design and its Significance to the Development of a SystemSystem Analysis is part of the development life cycle of a system. It involves the process of investigating exiting or new systems, analysing and understanding the needs of users.
System design takes place after the investigation and analysis of the system has been done. System design involves planning the new system that is, how it should be done.
The Significance of System Analysis and DesignSystem Analysis and design is a very significant and crucial part of system life cycle because it deals with the investigation of a system through to the analysis of the system, structural design of the system, the implementation of the system and the maintenance of a system. Any errors, mistakes or unsolved or unidentified problems in the analysis stage will result in complications which may lead to system failures.
Stages in the System Development Life CycleThe system life cycle may be looked at as a 7 phase- problem solving procedure.
These stages are:
Initiation StageThis is the first stage of the system life cycle and it involves finding out all about the existing system. Problems (limitations) with the existing systems are determined, and possible solutions are identified. This leads to a feasibility study which involves, costing, timescales, hardware and software requirements and staffing issues.
Investigation StageThis stage is often referred to as the preliminary investigation stage, in which case the problems are defined, the scope of the system is determined, alternative solutions are suggested and a short report is produced.
Analysis StageWithin this stage, data is collected and a deeper look (study) of the existing system is done. Data collection may be done through observation, interviews, document analysis and questionnaires.
Modelling tools are then used to analyse the system and new requirements are defined.
Modelling tools may include checklists, structural diagrams such as top-down analysis methodology, flow charts, grid charts and decision tables. Others are automated design tools such as computer-aided software engineering tools (CASE) which help system analysts to evaluate hardware and software alternatives.
At the end of this analysis, findings are documented. The documentation of these findings includes the description and scope of the existing system, the requirement of the new system and a proposed development programme or schedule is produced.
Design StageThe design stage takes into consideration all the information gathered in the previous stages and uses this information to produce a technical document which is often referred to as the system specification.
Before the report or specification is produced however, alternative designs are evaluated. The evaluation of the designs involves economic, technical and operational feasibility. Economic consideration will include cost benefit analysis, while operational and technical evaluation will consider among others flexibility, scalability, integration and security.
At the end, a report is also produced which will include alternative designs and a recommendation.
System DevelopmentThe system specification developed in the design stage is used to develop the system. Under system development, two options are considered; this involves the type of developing software to use. This may be:
· A packaged software (off-the shelf) e.g. Microsoft access software
· Custom design software (bespoke)
This stage will also take in to consideration the hardware that is needed and the installation process.
The last step of this stage may also include the testing of the new system in which case sample data are fed into the system and the results are evaluated to ensure that the system is working according to specification.
System ImplementationThe system implementation stage involves the installation of the system, staff training and conversion. There are different types of conversion plan, these are: Direct approach: the old system is completely abandoned and a new one takes it place
Parallel approach: Just as the name implies the old and the new systems are operated concurrently. This continues until the new system proves that it can be operated on its own and that it is works according to specification.
Pilot approach: This is when the new system is launched in just one sector or department of the entire organisation or business. If the system works according to specification, it will then be implemented fully.
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