Category: Systems Analysis & Design


The following 6 categories are useful for classifying problems, opportunities & directives (NOTE: Some problems may fall into multiple categories):

Performance

Information (& data)

Economics

Control (or security)

Efficiency (of people & processes)

Service (to customers, suppliers, partners, employees)

Reference: SAD pg 77

Framework for the

Application of

Systems

Thinking (representative systems development process).

FAST Phases are more detailsed than the classic phases:

  • Scope Definition
  • Problem Analysis
  • Requirements Analysis
  • Logical Design
  • Decision Analysis
  • Physical Design & Integration
  • Construction & Testing
  • Installation & Delivery

Reference: SAD pg 71, 79

Project Initiation

System Analysis

System Design

System Implementation

Reference: SAD pg 79

An Information Systems life cycle can be divided into two stages:

  • Systems Developement (Build system)
  • Systems Operation & Maintenance (Use & maintain system)

Two key events alters between the stages:

  • CONVERSION: triggers change from System Development to System Operation & Maintenance
  • OBSOLESCENE: triggers change from System Operation & Maintenance to System Development

Reference: SAD pg 71

Assesses the maturity level of an organisation

Level 1: INITIAL (inconsistent methods)

Level 2: REPEATABLE (consistent project management)

Level 3: DEFINED (consistent process used)

Level 4: MANAGED (process managed & measured)

Level 5: OPTIMISED (continuous process improvement)

Reference: SAD pg 69

Systems Analysis & Design methods are required for developing information systems for businesses.  In order to understand the processes fully, invest in the following book:

Systems Analysis & Design for the Global Enterprise 7th Edition

L.D. Bentley / J.L. Whitten

Published by McGraw-Hill/Irwin

ISBN-13: 978-0-07-110766-2

ISBN-10: 0-07-110766-5

I refer to this edition often & recommend it to anyone interested in focusing on Systems Analysis & Design.  It gives an overall picture & breaks the process down into easy to read chapters, identifying what stage the method refers to in the life cycle.