System Analysis and Design(SAD) - Part 1(Introduction to Information Systems)

System Analysis and Design - Introduction to Information Systems

Computers are now becoming part of virtual reality in every action in an organization, even in our personal lives. Every computer system consists of  six (6) basic components.

• People
• Interface
• Data
• Information Technology
• Network
• Process

System Stakeholders

System Stakeholder is any person who has an interest in an existing or proposed information system. Stakeholders can be divided into 5 major categories. It maybe include technical people, non-technical people and external and internal workers.

1. System User
2. System Owner
3. System Builders
4. System Designers
5. System Analysts

System User is a person is a person who will use or affected by an information system on a regular basis in many ways.

System Owner is the person who owns the system, sponsor and advocate, set the vision and priorities,determine the policies ane responsible for the funding the project.

System Designer is a technical specialists. He can translate system user's business requirements and constraints to technical solutions. Designs the computer files, databases, inputs, outputs, user interfaces, networks and programs that will meet the user requirements.

System Builder is the person who construct, test and deliver the information system based on design specifications generated by the system designer.

System Analysts are the people understand both business and computing. Studies the problems and needs of the organization and determine how people, data, processes and information technology can best accomplish improvements for the business. 

Legacy Systems

Legacy System is an existing computer system or a application program which continues to be used because users does not want to replace of redesign it. (Antique System)

There are some potential problems in using these kind of systems.

1. Often run on obsolete hardware which is usually slow
2. Hard to maintain, improve and expand because there is a general lack of understanding of the system
3. Ones who developed and designed the system may have left the organization, so there is no one to explain how it works
4. Difficult to integrate with new systems because technology difference may occur

There are some difficulties also when upgrading or replacing these systems.

1. The technology and the programming languages which are used in these systems may obsolete and there maybe no skilled personal to understand the system.
2. Maybe these systems are still working fine and the processes which are done by the system are critical, so stakeholders can not afford a chance of occurring an error during the upgrading process.

Sources - University of Colombo School of Computing Teachers Notes(BIT Degree Program)

Comment box below is open for your ideas, suggestions and discussions...