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Date Added.: Jul 8, 2010;
Category: Systems analysis is a crucial stage in the systems development life cycle.
The development process of information technology systems or ICT systems is often described as the system development life cycle. This cycle includes all the stages involved in planning, investigating, development, implementation and maintenance of computer-based information systems.
System Analysis is that part of the development life cycle of a system, which involves the process of investigating current or new systems. It also involves analyzing and understanding the needs of users. Various methods are used for investigation and gathering of data and information. This job is usually carried out by the system analyst.
Methods of Investigation
The main methods used to carry out the investigations of a system are:
- Observation
- Interview
- Document Analysis
- Questionnaire
Observation
This method involves examining procedures as they are carried out. The analyst observes how work and procedures are carried out with the existing system, and this enables the analyst to witness first hand how the work is actually done and what it involves.
Interview
Interviewing is a face-to-face method used to gather facts directly from the users of the system under investigation. The interviewer will ask some specific questions in order to get useful information from the interviewee.
Document Analysis
The document analysis method involves examining existing data, records, documentations as well as procedure manuals used for the existing system.
This method enables the analyst to obtain realistic and actual information about the system.
Questionnaire
The questionnaire consists of a standard set of questions. This may be distributed electronically – by email or via a network. It may also be paper based, in which case, it may be distributed to users by post.
The questionnaire would normally include different types of questions. For instance, open and close ended questions.
This technique is used to ask identical questions from the people using the system and perhaps when the information needed is not large, and there is a need to collect information from a large number of users.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Methods of Investigation
All the methods used for investigations outlined above have advantages and disadvantages. The table below shows some major advantages and disadvantages of each method.
|
Method |
Advantage |
Disadvantage |
|
Observation |
|
|
|
Interview |
|
|
|
Document Analysis |
|
|
|
Questionnaire |
|
|
