Requirements for efficient commercial systems analysis and design

Abstract

Systems Analysis and Design (also known as Systems Development) is the systematic process of problem identification, problem definition, analysis of the causes of the problem, the design of alternative solutions to the problem, and the eventual implementation of the selected solution as a computer system (if possible). During this systems development process there are a quite a large number of principles and approaches that need to be considered. It is also required from the systems analyst to have certain skills and to know how to apply a number of tools and techniques. The purpose of this research is to determine which approaches, principles, skills, tools and techniques are required by the industry for the development of commercial computer systems so that_prospective systems analysts can be properly trained in those aspects. This means that the course content of training institutions should be updated accordingly. The aspects that form part of the course offered by the training institution where the researcher works, are discussed and identified out of the literature. The course content is compared with what is required by the industry by means of an empirical research consisting of a questionnaire and frequency and regression analysis. The results from the research indicate that the following aspects of systems development must be emphasized: 1. Phases of systems development " Implementation " Analysis " Planning " Design 2. Important tools and techniques " Data modelling " Process modelling " Presentations " Input and output design " Observation (for fact-finding) " Cross Reference between the data and process model 3. Skills " Interpersonal relations " Third generation programming languages " . Basic understanding of CASE " Working knowledge of CASE