Assignment 1 (Due: December 12, 2011, before 01:00pm)

Based on your learnings of chapter 1, identify and discuss some charateristics you have as a good Systems Analyst. (at least 2500 words)

What is a System Analyst?
By my own understanding, a system analyst is a specialist in formulating or designing solutions, specifically by developing information systems, for a wide variety of businesses and other organizations that needs support in technological aspect. By information system, as what was in our report on Systems Analysis and Design with the topic “The World of Information Systems Analyst”, we mean components that are interrelated to each other that collect raw data, process them, store them on a standard manner, and output information needed as a part of the business task. Examples of information systems that are useful in businesses are Human Resource Information System (HRIS) where different information on members of an organization or employee of a business group could be accessed such as background information, payroll, number of working hours, and others; and Financial Accounting Management Information System (FAMIS) where bookkeeping, calculations, and even generating presentation for financial statements are done. System analysts, according to money.usnews.com, are usually those who graduated with a bachelor’s degree on computer science, information science, or engineering.

Role of a System Analyst
The role of a system analyst has something to do with the system development life cycle (SDLC). It is for the fact that a system analyst does the following:
• A system analyst investigates the problem.
o The first step of the system development life cycle is to investigate the current status of the client company or what is the problem all about. System analyst gathers basic information of everything the system is all about. He or she interviews some of the employee who are going to be the users of the system, or asks the person who truly understands the whole process or the flow of the business (for example, in an enrollment system, a system analyst should know what would be the different steps of the enrollment, who are the people involved in this step, or how long will the operational time be). The system analyst would also ask the client to define his or her basic requirements that the to-be-system must have.

• A system analyst analyzes the situation.
o After the system analyst gathers enough information, he or she would now analyze the situation. He or she would work on understanding everything that happens during the operation of the system. The system analyst studies the problem, what is the possible reason why such problem arises, and what would be the best way to solve the problem considering many things such as efficiency, cost, and other components critical to a business. In analyzing, a system analyst would still be in constant communication to the client for it would be faster to understand the unique process of the business.

• A system analyst designs the solution.
o By fully understanding the problem, the system analyst could now design the system. He or she creates the database design, the user interface, and other important parts of the system while still considering the wants and needs of the client company. The system analyst also decides what tools and approaches he or she must use for the system to be finished on time and efficiently.

• A system analyst develops what he designed.
o In this step, the system analyst now uses different tools such as programming tools and other utilities needed in developing systems. The system analyst now may also be called a system developer. He or she develops the system based on the design created, where he displays his or her skills in programming, constructing the system by modules for an easier approach.

• A system analyst installs the system.
o In this stage, the system has now attained the defined requirements of the client. The system is now to be deployed in the operation area ready to be tested by the users. The system analyst should train the users on how to use the finished system or how it works.

• A system analyst evaluates the installed system.
o Even though the system has finished developing, the system analyst should now evaluate how the users reacted to the system or how are they with the system. He or she should know if the client is happy with the resulting system the system analyst has developed. If there are any requirements failed to meet, the system analyst should handle the failure and continue developing it until the client is satisfied.

• A system analyst should maintain the system.
o There is no perfect system. Eventually, bugs and malfunctions will occur and as a system analyst, he or she should be prepared for the worst. Thus, a system analyst should know how to maintain the system where possible bugs and malfunctions will be prevented.

The above mentioned role of a system analyst is not true at all times. It is not true in a way that in the above case, we are assuming that the system development is done only by a system analyst. This is true to small scale businesses who can only afford to hire a system analyst and let him or her develop it right away. In medium or large-scale businesses, some businesses have separate people whose specialty is in system analysis or system development only. Nonetheless, we can say that a system analyst could also be a system developer.

A system analyst, basically, should be a business problem solver. He or she must resolve different problems on the field of business by developing solutions that are generally information systems. Problems on business may be manual processing of data which would be slower compared to when automated, but there are also problems that cannot be solved by automating the system. Information system should still have human support for its formula is hardware plus software plus peopleware.
By creating systems as a solution to business problems, system analyst is already translating business requirements to IT projects. This role of a system analyst is basically the framework of the solution to business problems. The work of the system analyst is to know how to translate business to information technology.

Skills of a System Analyst
On our discussion on the class, we have identified three general skills a system analyst must have. These are categorized into technical, business, and people knowledge and skill.

Technical Knowledge and Skills
Being a system analyst, he must be at least a technical type of a person. And being technical, we have different areas to be familiar for us to be a good system analyst.
• Computers/ Peripheral Devices (Hardware)
o Knowing the basic parts of a computer is very essential to become a system analyst. It is the basic requirement for a system analyst because a system deals not only with the software but also the hardware. In creating systems for businesses, the software created by a system analyst must be compatible with a certain type of hardware. There must be no compatibility issue between a software and hardware. That is the reason why in an analysis of a system, there is requirement to specify the hardware definitions to be used for the system to work well.

• Communication Networks and Connectivity
o One thing a system analyst that must keep in mind is that a business is composed of lots of departments and branches. And all the works of each part must be integrated or connected to each other. That is why a system analyst must also be knowledgeable enough to be able to create a system that is enabled to be networked throughout the whole business organization. Creating systems with networking could be done by having a web based software or offline systems connected or equipped with networking devices such as routers, cables, and etc.

• Database and Database Management System (DBMS)
o A system always deals with data and then processes it to become information. And when we talk about lots of data to process, we would eventually come up to have a database to be able to have a secure and better way of storing data. Knowing how to manage data is essential in data analysis because it is concerned with the nature and use of data. It involves the identification of the data elements which are needed to support the data processing system of the organization, the placing of these elements into logical groups and the definition of the relationships between the resulting groups. Having to do all of these, a system analyst should be able to develop a good database design. Designing a bad database design could lead to data reliability issue and other forms of damage to the data.

• Programming Language
o As a system analyst, it is not really required to become a full fledge programmer. What is required to become a system analyst is the skill just enough to be able to have a decision in terms of choosing what programming language to use for the system he is working on. A system analyst isn’t necessary to program the whole system he is at work at. It is because in a company project, there are also pure programmers who do the coding part of a system development, and the system’s analyst part is just by managing the whole project and required to plan what the developers must do. So even just by having the basic knowledge on programming languages, it is already enough to become a system analyst; but having the skill to code while being a system analyst is really an advantage to have a good career in the IT world.
o Talking about programming languages, learning how to use them is easy when you know how to program; and by knowing how to program means to have the logical skill in understanding the flow of the program. Basically, when someone switches learning another language, it would be easy then for them to adapt the new language because the only part the analyst must know is the new syntax of the language.

• Operating Systems and Utilities
o Another thing to consider when creating a system is to what type of platform of computers is the system to be installed on. And when we talk about platforms, we also talk about operating systems. An operating system, as what is defined during our class discussion in the subject operating systems, is a set of programs containing instructions that coordinates all the activities among computer hardware resources. Operating systems are very important to a computer for it is a requirement for a computer to work. Thus, a basic knowledge on operating systems is important for a system analyst to know.

Business Knowledge and Skills
Another skill a system analyst must possess is the ability to become a business-minded person. He must think like he is an expert in business while not forgetting about being technical.
• Business Functions Performed by Organization
o To know every function performed by each employee of a business organization is one of the most important tasks a system analyst has to do. Thus, he must have the skills to become knowledgeable on each function done by the whole organization. He must somehow become the employee that uses the system that he creates. A system analyst must be able to integrate all the functions needed to create the system that encompasses all the works done by the employees.

• Strategies, Plans, Traditions, and Values of the Organization
o To be able to work well with the workers of the organization a system analyst works with, he must basically know the general plan of the organization. A system analyst must be able to cooperate and jive with what is normal on the organization he is on to. Working with people you don’t feel comfortable will lead to a system with functionality that may have failed to match the requirements of the users. So to effectively create a system that will surely accord with the system requirement, the system analyst must somehow become a part of the organization that cooperates with the other members.

• Organizational Structure
o The knowledge on the organizational structure of the organization is very essential in terms deciding the accessibility of a certain data or information or functionality to every user if the system. Accessibility is a critical item that a system must define clearly for it tells who can access a file at a certain time or who can only access that file. With that, the skill in knowing the organizational structure is an important work to do for a system analyst.

• Organization Management Techniques
o Managing the organization pertains to the management of every resource the organization have. Different control techniques provide managers with the type and amount of information they need to measure and monitor performance. The information from various controls must be tailored to a specific management level, department, unit, or operation. So to ensure complete and consistent information, organizations often use standardized documents such as financial, status, and project reports. And as a system analyst, he must be skilled enough to integrate these techniques in the system. He must know other techniques that are more efficient that this type of technique for a better usage for the users. as for the fact that an organization has different departments where they have different things to manage, a system analyst must know what type of technique to use for each area.

• Functional Work Processes
o To know each function of every employee of an organization is not enough to create a system. The most important thing to know is the whole process itself, and having the skill to look outside the box while also considering the inside of the box is a key skill for a system analyst. Looking outside the box while also considering the inside of the box means knowing the general process of the business flow and each functions happening at every point of the process.

People Knowledge and Skills
As a system analyst, he must work with other people during his job on analyzing systems. And so a system analyst must be able to have skill in handling people.
• Need To Understand People
o Understanding people is a skill only available to open minded persons. As a system analyst, he must deal with the people of the organization he is working for. And as the system analyst analyses the system, he must think like the people who will use the system he is making. A system analyst must consider how long the users will be able to learn to use the functionality of the system. Situations like when employees encounter changes that they are incapable of solving on their own should be considered by a system analyst, thus, having to know how to react to change.

• Interpersonal and Communication Skills
o As system analyst gathers information on the system that he analyses, he must have the skills to communicate effectively with the other people. He must know how to motivate them in telling him what kind of information he needs from them. And with cooperation that is a helpful thing for the company, he might be able to understand the complexity and workings of the organization in order to provide necessary support. Having to do all these things, a system analyst must be really good in interpersonal and communication things.

Characteristics of a System Analyst
Based on the roles and skills of a system analyst, I have come up to a list of characteristics that a system analyst have.
1. A system analyst is a strategic person.
2. A system analyst is an understanding individual.
3. A system analyst is an open-minded entity.
4. A system analyst is adaptive to changes.
5. A system analyst is a professional in communication.

Me as a System Analyst
As a Computer Science student, and as of now, I can say that I have some of the skills and characteristics a system analyst possesses. As I am still currently studying, my skills are gradually growing and eventually, I know that it is very possible that I could really become a system analyst. To become a system analyst is really not an easy process. Being a system analyst needs a lot of brain works for you to become a full fledge one. One thing I can say for sure is that we must always remember that enjoying the process to what we would want to become is the key to be successful in the career that we chose.

Link to blog post: http://somethinglikemikelito.blogspot.com/2011/12/good-system-analyst.html

Name: Patrick Duane Valle
Course/Year: BSCS III

Assessment 1

Name: Alexander D. Manlod


The world of information system analyst –the whole chapter one talks about. At first, I find it very confusing. I thought it was just a simple analyzing systems and the person involve in it. That then, it was a hard time for me understanding the duties and responsibilities, what are its job functions, the features of it, the must required skills, its work environment, the education, the salary and how long will it be done when you are to create a particular system or project.

As an IT student, of course, being a professional information system analyst was my dream about since then. I find it more interesting since perhaps it is the major field of being an IT. Maybe I was fascinated with its main purpose to acts as a lead to develop, design, document, maintain, evaluate, support and provide problem resolution for information systems applications and performs a variety of technical and analytical services for Business, Finance, Payroll and Personnel departments. Analyzes, evaluates and trains users on mainframe computer system; performs other related duties as assigned.

As I comprehend the whole chapter, it was all about of giving basic information of how information system analyst was all about, how he troubleshoots and implement problem-solving skills. It was also illustrated that an analyst should have an expert knowledge of the systems and software programs that are being developed to communicate to management and end users about the possibility of upgrades and software changes. This includes estimated time frames for software upgrades and completion of new application modules, or the decision to buy and maintain a commercial software package. Some examples of information system given by the reporter are course registration system which attempts to alleviate these hassles by providing several services to students through the internet. CRS provides a way to search for classes without having to open a course catalog, a way to “shop” around and view various possible schedules, and finally, officially register for the chosen classes. All this can be done in the privacy of the students’ own rooms and without the stress and time it takes to stand in line in University Hall. Also the online order system which gathers all the customers since most of the people now are getting involve with the computer and the internet.

Information system is important because it supports the business functions in modern business organization. It usually check, preserve, and maintain the programs of the computer systems which includes in coordinating of installation in the programs of the computer as wells as systems. It mainly use object oriented programming languages such as the client and server applications development procedures as well as multimedia stuff and with the technology using internet. regarding clients about the field of the processing of information or computing which needs a program of the computer to address. As it coordinate and pairs to the system of the computer in an organization to improve the compatibility and as the information can be shared. As they say, being and information analyst, you should know about science, as well as engineering, and all other related processing of data dilemmas for the applications into any data processing. Hence, the more knowledge of one person has would make the process easier and make better outcome. A great communication skill without saying is much more important. This made me think back regarding about the dissimilarity of a system analyst and a programmer. I was mainly asked by the person we interview about that. About an essay article entitled the differences of being a system analyst and a programmer I have previously investigate through the internet, I have read that “ system analysis and design has a huge difference from computer programming though some of us actually relate the system analyst as a programmer in the project team. Moreover, the most important key skill or characteristic that sir has want to get is, that a system analyst should have a knowledge on how to communicate good-enough. Say for example, you have a certain project and most of your programmers are already starting creating the certain project, then in the climax one you fail to spot the information which is needed to tackle about, this could be a great effect in a waste of possessions, effort of the project, the time spent by it, and most important, the money you invest in that certain project. It is somehow relates to the skill of the people that a system analyst should mainly possess. Skills on communication are very significant especially particularly on dealing with different people which are involved in your system. A system analyst should work with the people on project which composed of the system developers and programmers, designers, the one who document, the one who test, the one who document, the project managers and a lot of others counting the customers and client sometimes. If there are no great communication along with the people of the project, a big chance exist of misunderstanding, “ he pointed out. He also put us a picture of variety of interpretations of the dissimilar people who are getting into in a particular system development. One is a system analyst should be eager to detail, he should be observant in each single information of its own system. This is imperative chiefly that, in any modeling process, if you fail to spot a single information of the system, it could result to a catastrophic project.

The reporter also discussed about the roles of an information system analyst, what does it need to be done, and how it will be done. She said that a system analyst should investigate, analyze, design, develop, installs, evaluate, and maintains a company’s information systems, including Software testing, modification and maintenance are a daily responsibility for the information systems analyst. I just recall the time we visited some companies in manila I thought I would just get bored on the company we will be visiting. Since I can frequently see Social Security System sites here in Davao. But I was greatly amazed as I enter the hall of that site. I mean it has a huge difference between SSS Davao and SSS Manila. Not only the gigantic structure, but also the facility and the systems they are running. I also noticed that they easily entertain clients and applicants through their improved method and procedures, computerized system and such modern and huge machines they are using. Aside from astonishing stuffs, the person in charge there welcomed us so warmly. They entertain us as gently as they could. Even they provided snacks just to make us comfortable on their lectures. Part of their lecture was about the membership and the benefits of a member. They provide the most reliable and convenient method for the beneficiaries. I realized that it is really made for the good of the working individuals. It gives such good goals and visions. I was also inspired by the last lecturer which was a part of their technical and networking support team. If I were to define this company, it would be the coolest school I’ve ever seen here in Philippines. They are running cool softwares and other stuffs. They make sure that you will be one of those best artist and web developers nowadays. In fact, as we visited that academy, it seems that almost all students are working hard to learn because they wanted to learn. I mean they enrolled their selves in that school because they wanted to improve their skills as artists which relates to computer and technology. In fact, they teach us the basics of making 3D images using Maya software. They also presented some artifacts to give inspiration to those non artistic person engaged in computer arts. I was amaze on how they make the 3D apple, since it was my first time to see creating such cool stuffs. Even Mr. Gamboa opened a topic about creating a new course in USEP which relate on computer arts with the help of their instructors and masters. Perhaps Mr. Gamboa opened such good idea to give options on IT and CS students to shift. When this event is still fast approaching, I was very excited about visiting University of the Philippines. Not only for the beautiful girls there, but also the facilities and gadgets they are running comparing to our own university. I was quite observing those rooms and faculty on how they differ on ours. As the seminars take place, all the lectures are quite interesting but I was greatly amazed on one lecturer, Ms. Len Degracia. She was cool enough to make all the students listen to her even her slides are obviously unprepared. It was fun, specially when she said that : “ it is not necessary to have a good grades when you are applying, it is your portfolio makes you hire. “, for me, she had a good lecture that other nerd lecturers, . She presented cool stuffs which she created and what she do with her successful life. We also visited one the best thesis in their school. They presented on what’s the use of their idea and how it did work. I can now say, that UP students are nerds . They provide such brilliant idea for the progress of their school and perhaps for our countrymen.

The reporter also said that it he should be a business problem solver, as the web defines it, “An information systems analyst analyzes data processing problems and provides solutions by programming software changes, implementing software upgrades or developing new programs”. The projects and system must be done perfectly good. It must be running by high end and the running systems must engage with two screens. They can use two desktop in one system unit which is very useful with their work. I mean they can drag any working file into the other desktop so that they can manipulate every data accordingly. They also showed the project of their own which relates to recording of data and videos played in the television. I appreciated their projects well and find it very useful nowadays. Since almost all of us spending our time watching television when we get bored and others are waiting for their favorite TV shows. It can be use to record such videos and TV shows you missed to watch. And also, it minimizes monthly bills like paying cable services and other gadgets like DVD players. They have also huge clients like TV networks which give inspiration to us, building such great company like them. We had a great time stuying, we have learned such huge servers, when I mean huge, I mean HUGE! I cannot imagine how they create and manage that server. They also presented the rooms where different transactions happened with their company, where clients engage with their gadgets and other stuff. We had also a great time with the attractive lecturer where she presented on how system analyst thinks. She mentioned that most their products now are partly hardwares and mostly softwares, it’s because they have seen the potential of businessman in making such cool and useful applications and other functional softwares to improve their company in terms of their products and sales. She pointed out that a certain systemhhires different field of course which you have graduated and train you as far as they could and how workers and employees of a company loved their work so much.

There are many types of information system, as it was reported; there are a lot of different types of information system. They all have different purposes and because they can be confusing, knowledge of information science is essential to make an information system successful. I have search about information system and I have found a lot of it.
They have also discussed about the required skills of the system analyst. Of course, not all can be a system analyst. He must have a knowledge of Utilization and purposes of management information systems, database structure and data verification method. I can say that the developers of the presentation they showed are genius. They provide such brilliant ideas that could definitely help the people to do the easiest way in accomplishing their works. They give emphasis on Conducting scientific research and development in the advanced fields of Information and Communications Technology and Microelectronics. Their projects were amazing. They produce such unique machines and gadgets to provide reliability and consistent daily activity on workers. I can see their perseverance in engaging their selves to the development of the Filipino society and the Philippines as a nation. I was very fascinated with their projects such as digital multimeter, according to its definition, it is the first ever produced multimeter product designed by Filipinos to reach the market. This portable test instrument is capable of handling various electrical measurements such as different kind of systems, current and resistance measurement and other special features. It is also low cost digital built which dedicated to users and client.

The chapter opens with a extensive discussion of the functions of management, the various types and levels of decision that marketing managers must make. I have learned that Managerial skills needed by systems analysts include but are not limited to resource management. One of the best examples of companies is Hitachi, one of the biggest companies we visited during our field trip and seminars. It gives me satisfaction on paying such big amount after visiting Hitachi. We have seen different working hard disk which is currently used by the country nowadays. They have been known on creating their small but terrifying hard disk. Their facilities were very amusing. They are quite strict when it regards to outfit entering the site. They are focusing on doing business in various fields from social infrastructure to home appliances, materials, logistics, and services. I noticed that almost all of their employees in one specific are were ladies, the person in charge explained that it is necessary because ladies are much more comfortable with that work. It seems that they were very careful on their hand that one mistake, their work will definitely throw on garbage. The employees there are very entertaining. They welcomed us as warm as they could and I am very thankful to be treated by them nicely.


To sum up this chapter, the whole chapter try us to understand the proper role of information systems and one must examine what managers do and what information they need for decision making. We must also understand how decisions are made and what kind of decision problems can be supported by formal information systems. I have learned that it is important Communicate effectively in both oral and written forms; explain technical concepts in non-technical terms to individuals and groups; research and resolve inquiries; demonstrate initiative and work independently with a minimum of supervision; work under time constraints to meet deadlines; set priorities, and make decisions on a variety of complex matters; organize, schedule, and coordinate a variety of activities and projects; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted during the course of work; research and evaluate information systems software applications; learn and adapt to changes in technology; retrieve data to prepare documents, and produce a variety of reports from databases. One can then determine whether information systems will be valuable tools and how they should be designed.

Source:

http://job-descriptions.careerplanner.com
http://www.cs.brown.edu

Identify and discuss some characteristics you have as a good System Analyst.

The world is stepping in a fast changing world, where technologies are like mushrooms popping just around the corner. Attach to this are the need of business professionals to analyze and design some interesting stuffs that will catch the attention of the consumer in the market and one of business professionals is the System Analyst.
This paper is intended to discuss and identify the characteristics of a good System analyst. But before that let us define what a system analyst is.

What is System Analyst?

From the chapter 1 presented by the reporter, System Analyst is a business professional that uses analysis and design techniques to solve business problems using information technology. To call you as a software analyst is like calling you as an expert of everything behind and beyond a one technology. Affix to this is the crucial responsibility on your hand where could the business is leading to. That is why system analyst is a business problem solver and in order to solve some business problems you should need to carry some of the good characteristics to be able you to call you as a system analyst not just by name but having also the evidences of being a system analyst. A systems analyst job is keeping a company's computer network up to date. They are responsible for all software and hardware upgrades and any design changes that are needed in the system. According to ask.com a computer systems analyst is an employee who is responsible for providing the computer systems and technology needed to meet the needs of the company.

The following are the general characteristics of a system analyst:

• Has computer technology knowledge and programming expertise.
o As a business solver that uses information technology, how could you solve if you don’t know how to use the resources and the tools to come up into a solution. And besides information technology composes of knowledge about hardware and software.

• Understands business problems.
o As we go along we tend to face several problems, but how could we face problems if we don’t know how to identify that we have problems. Academes really don’t give emphasize how to identify problem but we do this by learning from our own experience_ in reality. Therefore understanding problem might quite easy but in information technology as time goes by problem might start so easy yet ramification get stronger.
o This is supposedly a default ability of a personbut it’s the other way around in a system analyst, business solver needs constant update to his/her ability to instantly identify problem in the field he/she evolving in. Therefore understanding the problem is quite hard where it involves scientific methods.

• Uses logical methods for solving problems.
o In addition to the last sentence I have just mention, so problem needs logical reasons through scientific method thus also the solution needs logical and scientific methods. You started it with all the supporting details which are a product of scientific observation to come up into a problem does also good to finish better what you started.

• Has fundamental curiosity
o Software Analyst always seeks knowledge and wisdom and does not stop learning to improve himself. If you are curious you are tend to open your imagination and discover new things that might creating new division of ideas that you may work on. In every aspect you need constant learning to develop your skills because curiosity is a key to develop oneself and guide you to mold who you want to be.

• Wants to make things better
o As a system analyst you should not to degrade the system but to improve the system for the better of the business.
• Is more of a business problem solver than a technical programmer
o As a system analyst is equivalent to a wide variety of task not just person who has knowledge in using programming tools and software but to embrace the whole scope of Information System.

Required Skill of the System Analyst

Technical knowledge and Skills
An analyst should have a fundamental Technology knowledge of

• Computer/ Peripheral devices (hardware)
As a person using computer as tools you should be familiar on the hardware what function it produces and what parts do you need in order to run a system. System Analyst will deals on how to use the programming tools to develop a system that match to his or her objectives. The environment that the system analyst deals should also put into consideration in developing a system and even in planning stage.

• Communication networks and connectivity
We are in Information era where you can access information just a click and behind that technology is the different network communication running in different architecture that binds them with one connection. As a system analyst needs to familiarize what are the concepts of networking. Since cloud computing is a fast trending technology nowadays it is best to deploy any system that transacts with internet connection for the efficiency of the system and easy access and does include to your planning stage. The capacity of the system also matters if it is advisable to have connection for the goodness of the business.

• Database and database management systems (DBMS)
System is a collection of information that collect, process, store and produce output for the business organization function well. In connection, all information should be store in a database where database’s role plays an important role in designing a system. One of the basic technologies that the system analyst must have is to understand the environment of how to use the database and have fundamentals in database management systems. Any transactions that includes storing database is indeed needed and therefore as a system analyst he or she must have a fundamental knowledge.

• Programming Languages (for example, VB.NET or Java)
Programming tools are the software we use to produce a system where it helps the system analyst to materialize his or her outputs in different phase of System Development Life Cycle. There are different programming tools available depending on what you need and what output you would like to implement and as a system analyst he or she must have a programming tool that can be used and give effort to master the environment.

• Operating Systems and Utilities
You should know the concepts of Operating System if your system does meet the requirements if it is compatible to your system. Everything that comprises computer to function should the System Analyst must familiar with. In deploying, testing and maintaining a system, Operating system is very important in planning stage before you take action in developing the system. It is one of the most important things that the system analyst must consider.

Analyst uses tools
• Software productivity packages
o There are different Software packages that provide a convenient environment to its user, it is just up to the system analyst to learn and be resourceful to the tools he or she has.

• Integrated development environments (IDE’s) for programming languages.
o This will help the system analyst from using tools that all are integrated to less the time of looking for the other tools he or she needed.

• CASE tools, testing, documentation support, reverse engineering, configuration management.
Since analyst will develop a system these tools mentioned above will be the instruments he or she will face of.
The generic “phases” used for this document are Planning, Analysis, Design, Implementation, and Support. These five phases comprise a generic system development life cycle (SDLC).

Analyst understands SLDC techniques

• Project Planning, systems analysis
o Planning phase there are two elements the security analyst has to consider for the organization. These elements include the enterprise security policies and risk.

• Systems designing, database design, network design

• Construction, implementation, systems support.

Business Knowledge and Skills

Analyst must understand
• Business functions performed by organization
o The system analyst must have knowledge of what the system he or she developing for. It is the primary job of the system analyst to know what he or she involving in.

• Strategies, plans, traditions, and values of the organization
o In developing a system, the system analyst must not run out the plans and strategies that the organization created. Whatever the system he or she develops it will point and answer the business goals of the organization.

• Organizational structure
o It really helps if you understand the organizational structure of a company, it may give the necessary information you would like to penetrate in the modules that the system required.

• Organization management techniques
o Sometimes a system analyst could also be a business analyst in some companies. Due to that system analyst may involved in the marketing planning or strategic planning that may help in boosting their company.

• Functional work processes
Systems analysts typically study business administration/management in college with major in CIS or Management Information System

People Knowledge and Skills

System analysts need to understand how people

• Think
o You should know how the people think and what the capacity of your users is.

• Learn
o System analyst must know how people learn to estimate the advancement of the system he or she making.

• React to change
o Since the only thing here in the world that is constant is change and your system should adopt any updates you should consider how the user react to the changes you have made.

• Communicate
o System Analyst deals different people that are why you need to communicate very well to the people that contribute to the requirements you are gathering for the system.

• Work (in a variety of jobs and levels)


People Knowledge and Skills

Interpersonal and Communication skills are crucial to

§ Obtaining information
We thought communication is very easy but along the way you need to carry the guidelines for the things you want to ask like for example the requirements that you should need with corresponds to the system that the organization would like to have. Obtaining information is very crucial does interacting to people is indeed very hard.

§ Motivating people
To motivate people and convincing people to agree what you wanted to be is very hard, it requires a good communication skill that not all people have. But the good thing is a good communication skill can be practiced and upon practicing leads you to a good communicator to a good system analyst.

§ Getting Cooperation
Clients need updates to the system they wanted to have to be able to build a relationship between the system analyst and the business organization. You need to update yourself as a system analyst by getting in touch to the organization, and again its all about communication.

§ Understanding the complexity and workings of an organization in order to provide necessary support.

Integrity and Ethics

Analyst has access to confidential information, such as salary, an organization’s planned projects, security systems, and so on.

Whatever the information that the analyst will gather he or she should not disclose it to the other people because if whatever information might leak it will leave a black mark to your career that can ruin your analyst’s career. Since analyst should not disclose information instead they make the information more secure to protect the confidentiality of the information he holds. Since it get access to the information of the company you have the power to disclose the information or not but you need to think the consequences if you disclose the information.

Other Characteristics that the System Analyst must attain.
• A system analyst can be a perfect presenter, perfect system developer, good skills, better management and there association must be better.

• The characteristics of a system analyst are as follows:
1. Good Architect
A system analyst is a good architect for it he designs the system like the real architect does. Since system analyst also involved in designing the system, he or she should be a good architect and manifest the characteristics of a good architect.
2. Change Agent
A change agent has an initiative to create change for the better future of an organization. So as a system analyst, he or she must become an agent of change for him or her to contribute for the better of their business function.
3. Politician
A system analyst must also be a politician to court his or her client to meet their conditions halfway.
4. Psychologist
A System analyst must acquire the skills of a psychologist because it will help the system analyst to psycho the users and his or her clients.
5. Motivation
System Analyst should motivate himself to accomplish something and to materialize the system to the field.
6. Good Sale Person
A system analyst must be a good sale person to create clients and to support the development of his or her systems.
7. Investigator
A system analyst must be a good investigator to have a secure system and it is the primary abilities of a system analyst and it is included in developing a system.
8. Monitor

A system analyst must monitor his or her system for the maintenance of the system which is included in System design life cycle in the last part.

How to become a system analyst

Begin the appropriate education to become a system analyst. A bachelor's degree in computer systems, industrial engineering or business management is desired by the companies who hire specialists. In addition to majoring in computer science, you should choose a variety of elective courses, such as finance and database maintenance, to give you a well-rounded education.

Brush up on computer software. It's utilized in different industries for system applications and data processing methods. By exploring the areas of this program you like best, you can better focus your job search after college.
Manage your choices wisely during college to prepare for a career as a analyst. In addition to taking classes like SAP XI and NetWeaver, learn about business administration and sales and marketing. While working in the corporate structure, an analyst tends to overlap with many different departments.

Find Employment as a System Analyst

Apply for a position as a system analyst. A larger organization can offer you the most opportunities for growth and job diversity. Some companies design and configure modules in-house or hire consultants or information systems agencies to take on the analyst role.
Get a professional certification to add to your credentials. In addition to your bachelor's degree, obtain a master-certification in systems to give you an added boost in getting a job. You can apply for certification at the official website (see Resources below).
Continue your education. For further advancement in this field, a postgraduate degree can serve you well. Additionally, you need to possess either a master's degree or 10 years of solid experience in information technology in order to attain certain positions in this field.

I am a system analyst

To become a system analyst is not easy and does required a lot of skill to be a good system analyst. It is like an integration of all the professions mentioned above in this page. It takes time and experience to be a system analyst.

Reference
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_System_Analyst_and_its_responsibilities
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_write_a_paragraph_on_a_systems_analyst
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Characteristics_of_a_system_analyst

System Analyst based on what I knew is the one that investigate, analyze, design, develop, installs, evaluates, and maintains a company’s information systems. System analysts figure out how to use computer to get things done. They also tell organization and other businesses which computer and software to buy, and they decide how to get those tools to work together. They are called the problem solver and they also help translate business requirements into IT projects or Information System. System analyst should have a strong backgrounds and experiences in dealing with problems.
System analyst should have a logical approach or methods in solving problems. System analyst also should have great expertise and knowledge about technology, in computers (hardware), computer network (connectivity). System analyst should have also have experiences and knowledge about database design, and database management system. System analyst also should have to know different programming language, and operating system and its utilities. System analyst must know the how to use software tools such as IDEs, CASE tools, reverse engineering, and tools that are in the computer. System analyst should know System analysts have the skill of making plans, database design, network design, system design, and constructing system support.
System analyst should have knowledge about how businesses run or managed, or they have to know what are the business functions that the business currently performing. System analyst should have the skill to identify Strategies, plans, traditions, and values of the organization. The system analyst must know the organization management techniques. And lastly, System analyst should have a skill that can understand how people think, learns, react to changes, communicate, and work.
For me to discuss the characteristics of system analyst that I possess would take me time to discuss. In my 18 years of existence, for me, the first characteristics that I have as a good system analyst is that I can deal with problems resourcefully. In dealing with problems, I spend most of my time multitasking doing something, and thinking and solving problems at the same time so that I can thing deal the problem immediately. In dealing with problems the first thing that I always consider are the things or resources that I have, in case that it would help me dealing in my problems. It includes what would are the things that I have and the things that I need, the money that I need to buy or get the things that I need, and the time that I would spend doing something concerning with that problem or project. I also consider the energy I have if I am exhausted, I sleep for an hour since sleep is my priority. My approach to a problem depends on the problem because for me, problems have differences and have to deal with it differently.
The other thing and characteristics which I proudly of is that I have a sense of analysis. I always analyze things up to its small details. When I see things, I always think towards things like what would be it use, what made up to this thing, how can I use it efficiently, and how can it help me solving problems.
When I analyze thing, I usually want to know and think something about it from its general aspect to its basic and smallest detail concerning about it. I believe that everything and every problem that I encounter are just related and is correlated to what I usually do and I usually encounter and saw in my daily life. Analysis for me is just observing the broad detail up to its smallest detail. It’s just like solving mathematical problem or solving physics problem, solving or doing programming and playing chess. I always analyze even I played games and doing strategies in gaming.
In analyzing problems, I always consider is that, how can I solve this problem and what would I do to solve this problem. I deal with project or problem like I played chess. I always consider what will happen I move this way or move that way. In think problems while walking or while I wait for a bus. i just want to deal with problems logically in a way that I can have benefits when executing my plan or analysis, it is like chess. To have a logical approach in solving problem makes a me feel good and comfortable. I anticipate what will happen when I do something. in thinking about what method that I will do, I always consider the worst case scenario or the worst scenario that I would encounter when dealing with problems. I always think what would be my solution in that worst scenario initially. If I have solution for that happenings, that would be the time that I insert less effort in solving problem. In other words, I think and anticipate the logical methods on how to solve problem from the worst case scenario to the small things that might happen along the way. Someone says that I am a logical man and I think about things differently to the point that they do not understand when I explain it to them. When formulating methods in solving problem, I always ask the question or “why not this?” or “is my effort worth it?”
In my course, technology should be my best friend. Even I cannot buy some of it, at least I read some reading materials to know the features and basic functionalities of it. Even I can’t by it, I have the basic knowledge on how to use it and I can say that a gadget is faced out or out of the latest. I have to know the latest technologies that are existed in the mainstream or even the ideas of technology that were presented by inventors of companies around the world. I have to read a lot to know the most basic and most complex technology that are existed around the globe. Above all, my interest would remain to the latest technology concerning with the computer and its different usage. The latest computer architecture and the latest computer components that is present in the mainstream. it includes the new networking tools and devices, and the new programming language presented by the computer scientist. I also am observing the new updates about the latest networking protocol and the new computer related stuff. In reading something about the latest gadgets and technology, I always consider what would be the use of the gadget or technology in solving the world problems and its other usage and functionalities.
In my course and in my 3rd year of my study, I had a great experiences concerning about computer networking in my computer networking subject and computer hardware in my computer system organization. For me I have enough knowledge about computer networking and computer organization and hardware. In my class in computer networking, we are required to make or do computer networking designs. I also have to understand what are the usage and drawback of every networking components and device. I also had hands on exercises about designing a good computer networking design. In my computer systems organization class, we had a great time learning what are the components of a computer system and how the computer system work each other that make a computer system. I learned also from that class about how central processing unit (CPU) do its calculation and work. I also learned how the components of the computer system do their respective task in order to run a process, program or computer services. With those classes, I had great time learning the basic on computer networking and computer system organization, computer hardware, and computer architecture. After knowing the basic about computer, I always read some reading materials and articles concerning about the latest of computer networking, latest computer architecture, and computer hardware that the biggest computer hardware manufacturer offer. i also read something about the details in computer architecture and also the details in computer networking.
I also have a basic knowledge and enough experiences concerning about database designing and implanting it using database management system (DBMS). it was third year first semester in my Bachelor of Computer Science Course that I had subject called database that helped me a lot about database design and implementation. In that database subject, I learned the details about designing database, making Entity Relationship diagram. I had a approachable and experienced facilitator that can answer my question and clear my confusion. I also learned how to make a system that made me knew what would I do to in making system which was in that case was a enrollment system. The things I learned on how to design a database made me finish our subject in making our version of enrollment system. Even though it was not perfect system, we did apply our learning in database designing and implement the database design to our system. in that class, I obtain the basic knowledge on how to design and implement a database in our system that we have done. I also learned how to connect database and I also learned how to use the Database Management System (DBMS) which I think has a great impact to my programming course. My knowledge about database designing would help me in analyzing a system and help me in my methods of system analysis and designing.
In my course I learned several programming language like C, C++, java, and visual basic. I learned my C and C++ when I was in my 1st year college, first semester. That was a tough time for me, since I was in my first year and have a hard time reading and analyzing C++ codes. That time, it was my first time seeing computer codes and it was my first time making programs. My interest in coding is getting strong, and made me more inspire to do some readings about some functions and the things that C++ can do. At that time I learned how to interpret and read the structure of codes, and i think my way of analysis was enhanced with reading and tracing computer codes. In second semester of my first year in college, I had a subject that facilitates us to learn about java. At that time my analysis was more enhanced and it made me do my own algorithm. At that time I was able to design, implement and make program structures within my program. It was the first that I did a system without using a database and database management system. Instead, I did some data structure in order to manage my data. My way of thinking was improved at that time. In my database subject, our facilitator introduced us to visual basic. My knowledge about programming languages would be a great help in doing some system analysis and designing. My way of analysis that was developed while studying those programming languages would be the greatest for me as system analyst.
In my college life, I almost think ahead about all of my schedules, projects, and the things that I have to do. I plan things if not alone, while I was walking with friends and I do it silently without them knowing it. i always use my head, use it for planning what would me my next step or the thing that will do or the thing that I will do after school. It makes me comfortable when I anticipate what probably will happen and know what I would do when I encounter those things that might happen.
Even I don’t have experiences running a business. i can say that I have enough observations about business. Even though I can’t verify my observation about business structure and organization, it would take me small time to read and understand more how a business run and manage. And it would take me only small time to know the details about how a business was organize and construct. My observation skills would help me a lot in learning business management and structure. Concerning about my strategy skills, I always consider everything as applicable to strategy. From playing tag of wars to playing computer games like DOTA (Defense of the ancient). When thinking about the strategy, I always consider what would be the efficient way to win the play if it is with game applying strength. If it would a computer game, I always consider what the weaknesses of the enemy team are. From that, I determine what the strengths of the team are and play with it. In real life, I apply the same way of thinking strategy of doing something so that it would be efficient for me to exert efforts. I consider myself as a strategist, but concerning about whether if i always make a good strategy, i can’t tell something about it. Sometimes they always accept my strategies or play with my play since I am always the play or strategy maker of every team that I join. When planning strategy about a project or academe activities, I always let the ideas circulating I always accept ideas that can collaborate to the existing strategy or sometimes, I always give ideas to make the strategy more stable and effective and sometimes they accept it, sometimes they not. Above all, I am very confident about my ability in formulating plan and strategy but it would take more practice to advance my analysis skill to analyze from the biggest aspect to the basic and smallest detail of things that I analyze. Because for me, in order to make a good analysis, everybody must have to identify what are the things to analyze and I have some difficulty in identifying It when analyzing something because I always see the obvious things.
As I wrote before, I consider myself as a good observer. Before college, my interest was focused on how the people think and decide. From time to time, I always observe the behaviors and characteristics of my classmates and even to every person that I met. In my observations to my classmates and people around me, I always ask why they act like that and why they do that. With that observation, it resulted to me not to trust everybody so easily. I found out the people around me act similarly and with that observation, I can anticipate what would be their next reaction and what would be their decision. With also in my observations, I can say that I can have at least a small anticipation on how people around me think, decide, and learn. I believe that I still did not see the different characteristic, behavior and psychology that people can do, that makes do more observation on every people I see.
Everything that I mention about the characteristic that I have as a system analyst is the thing that I can confident to myself. Even though the characteristics I have are not as great as those of professional System Analysis, the characteristics of those system analyst are still in my practice now. It will be just time can say if every characteristics that I mentioned would be improved or perfect along the way in my life.

Name: Melissa B. Carpio
Course/Year: BSCS 3

In order for me to identify what characteristics I possess as a good Systems Analyst, let me first define what a Systems Analyst is and what are this profession’s characteristics and roles in the world of Information System based on what our classmates reported last meeting in our class.
As what was presented by the first set of reporters, they defined Systems Analyst as a business professional who uses analysis and techniques in order to solve business planning with the use of information technology. Based on my own understanding about the definition of a Systems Analyst, they are the ones who make the “blueprint” of a certain system. Why blueprint? It is because blueprint serves as the foundation and guide of a planned structure to be built, same as with the Systems Analyst’s role, they are the ones who analyze a certain business problem and through proposing a system, a problem may be solved. A Systems Analyst makes sure that the system he handles performs for the betterment of the organization and achieves the goal in the business, which is to have progress as future rapidly approaches.

The work of a Systems Analyst is really a tough profession because it needs a lot of skills to perform his tasks. Before he could solve the business problem, it must be analyzed thoroughly and analysis phase could take ample time before he could move to his next step. According to nextstep.direct.gov.uk, other than analyzing the business problems, his work would also include the following:

Identifying the client organization’s needs. One of the main works of a Systems Analyst. In order for him to have a specific system to deal with, he must identify the needs of the business organization. The organization may comprise of different departments and of different needs and it is the job of the Systems Analyst to find out what those needs are.

Drawing up plans for a modified or replacement IT system. Before a system can be develop, it has do undergo through lots of planning and analysis. After several phases of planning and analysis, a Systems Analyst should not implement his system directly and replace the existing system of the business organization, he should first plan for the modified system and seek approval to the client.

Carrying out feasibility studies of proposals and making recommendations. After the problem has been identified, the Systems Analyst should make feasibility studies on the future system and seek recommendations on which part of the system should they revise or upgrade before developing it.

Working closely with programmers and software developers to build the system. The work of Systems Analyst is to analyze the problem, understand the problem, make some plans on how to solve the problem by developing a system, and design the system to solve the problem. In order to implement the system, he needs the help of a programmer and software developers to actually implement the system. In other words, Systems Analysts cannot stand alone in implementing a system.

Overseeing installation and testing correcting problems ('bugs') before the final version is released. A Systems Analyst may deploy an initial system or trial version to check whether bugs may occur as the system runs, if there are no bugs found, final version may be released.

Providing staff training and instruction manuals for the new or upgraded system. In order for the clients to embrace the new or upgraded system the Systems Analyst has deployed, he must provide manuals or guidelines with regards to the functionalities of the system.

Based on the woks that a Systems Analyst would deal with, I can say that I do not have enough experience yet on making those works but as soon as we handle a company to analyze with, maybe I should give importance to those tasks listed above to perform the role of a Systems Analyst. It is not enough to just have knowledge on what are the works of a Systems Analyst; we have to have ideas also on the skills possessed by a good Systems Analyst. There are a lot of skills required to perform the task of a Systems Analyst, according to the reporters, the skills needed involves Technical, Business, and People Knowledge. On the narrower description of each skills, Technical Knowledge and Skills deal mainly with the hardware, database, the programming languages used, etc.; Business Knowledge deals with strategies, plans and other functions in the business organization; and People Knowledge which is concern on how clients think, learn, react to change, communicate, work, etc.

*On Technical Knowledge and Skills

Computers/peripheral devices. One of the fundamental requirements when you are to deal with the world of Information System is about hardware. Being a Systems Analyst may deal mainly on the software but he/she must ensure that there would be no compatibility issues regarding the software being deployed to a certain hardware. There is a need of specification for software to minimize compatibility issues towards the hardware.

On my part, I have undergone IT Fundamentals since first year and one of our topics were the parts of a computer or the peripheral devices. I think that it is the basic thing that an IT related profession should know before digging up to their forte.

Communication networks and connectivity. As a Systems Analyst, you are to develop a system that can make the work of each department in the business organization convenient, easier, and faster. The System Analyst should have knowledge on communication networks and connectivity in order to meet the need of the client that is to reach every department with the use of technology.

My background on this skill is our subject on Network Technologies. In our subject, we discussed different topologies that can be made in order for the computers to be connected using wires. We also made simulation on connecting the different campuses of USEP using the Packet Tracer that our instructors introduced to us.

Database and Database Management Systems (DBMS). When dealing with a system, its primary job is to handle data being stored by clients and these data are essential in every business organization. Systems Analyst should have knowledge on the database in order to deal with the data storage, data retrieval, and data recovery which are some of the concern of the clients.

We had our Database subject last year under Sir Ariel Pabilona and we had a lot of learning from the past subject. We learned new programming language that supports database system, the Virtual Basic. Virtual Basic is more user-friendly than other language in my own opinion because the codes are understandable and easier modification on the user interface.

Programming languages. Some of the Systems Analyst limit their job in analysis and designing and need not to implement the system because other profession may do the coding but for a good Systems Analyst, there is a need to have knowledge on programming languages even on deciding what language he/she must use in a certain system. It is not necessary that the Systems Analyst should dig deeper on each programming languages, knowledge on each language is enough to support the system he/she would design.

The basic foundation of an IT student is the programming language being taught in school. We have already learned C++, Java, and the previous language which is the Visual Basic. It is necessary in an IT related course to learn programming language because it is the way to communicate instructions to the computer.

Operating systems and utilities. When designing a system, one of the things that need to be considered is the operating system. A user cannot run an application program on the computer without an operating system; therefore an implemented system may not work also without the operating system.

We also had our Operating Systems subject last year, and the fact that we seldom meet with our instructor; we haven’t learned much from this subject. We only have basic knowledge on what is an operating systems and what is the role of operating systems in the computer.

Software productivity packages. The main role of a Systems Analyst is to design a system needed by the clients to attain progress in the business. The system should have the capacity to perform productive outcome to the business organization and some additional features that may be helpful to the clients.

*On Business Knowledge and Skills

Even though I am not yet indulged in any business matters, I can relate this one on handling a school organization because I was once a secretary in our environmental organization and handling an organization needs extra effort in order to attain the goal of the organization.

Business functions performed by organization. One of the things a Systems Analyst must analyze first is the business functions of the organization. As a Systems Analyst, he must determine the functions performed by the organization in order for him to know what system he would develop. In developing the system, he must consider the performance of the system if it is fit for the organization and satisfies the need of the client.

As for my experience as secretary of our organization, it is necessary to know what are the works of an organization in order for the group to perform the tasks needed to satisfy the goal of one’s organization. I can say that I have this kind of skill even though the work that I experienced is not related in becoming a Systems Analyst but a foundation of skills and knowledge in becoming one of it.

Strategies, plans, traditions, and values of the organization. A Systems Analyst must work as if he is part of the organization or he is one of the employees. He should have the knowledge on the strategies, plans, traditions, and values of the organization in order for him to work normally inside the organization. By attaining this mutual understanding with other workers, he may effectively develop a system that is acceptable to the employees and to the organization.

Having a position in an organization needs to have an idea on the plans, strategies, traditions, and values of the organization. Just like on becoming a Systems Analyst, you must have idea on what company you are dealing with.

Organizational structure. By having knowledge on the organizational structure of a certain organization, a Systems Analyst can determine the hierarchy of different entities such as the branches, department, workgroups and individual. This may be a critical part on a Systems Analyst because some data must be kept secured and only those authorized persons are allowed to access the file. A developed system must determine who should access a data for a specific operation.

Organization management techniques. Organization management deals with the planning, organizing, leading, and controlling the efforts of organization members and resources to achieve stated organizational goals. It has to do with managing different departments with different problems and needs. The work of the Systems Analyst is to put together in one system the necessary information needed by the different departments in order for them to have consistent data needed for any business transactions. The Systems Analyst should also learn other techniques that can be used in improving the system developed.

*On People Knowledge and Skills

A Systems Analyst needs to understand how people think. He must think as if he is the employee who is about to use the system. The system should be flexible enough to understand by the clients because the main objective of why Systems Analyst develops a system is for their clients.

I can relate this one when I was the leader of our group. In order for us to meet the expected output of the group, I have to know the opinion of each members of the group. Being a leader may have the control on overruling the group but it should not be practiced because in order to be a leader, you must be a good follower. In order for a Systems Analyst to perform his task, he must listen to what the clients want.

A Systems Analyst needs to understand how people learn. Clients that are trying to adopt the system may have difficulties in learning it. The Systems Analyst should consider the part of the clients as beginners of the system, thus certain manuals and guides may be necessary in the clients' learning.

Just like when we have new gadgets and we are so naïve on that matter because the fact that it is new, we can’t actually use it but the good thing is that gadgets are packed together with its user manual. Just like on the work of a Systems Analyst, he must able to produce a manual on the certain system he designed for the users to have guide on the system.

A Systems Analyst needs to understand how people react to change. As the old proverb says, "You can't please everybody," the Systems Analyst can have the system developed and deployed but the thing is, are the clients ready to embrace the new system being deployed by the Systems Analyst? It is the role of the Systems Analyst to adjust on the needs of the clients.

A Systems Analyst needs to understand how people work. A Systems Analyst must consider the types of work he has to deal with his system. A complex system may be deployed on the upper part of the organization (i.e. Management, finance departments) but it may not be necessary to deploy on the lower level of the organization.

One of the advantages of being a Systems Analyst is that he has the access on the confidential information of the business organization, such as the organization's planned project, security systems, salaries, and other confidential information. "With great power, comes with great responsibility" I may say because the Systems Analyst should keep the information private and confidential. If he gives importance to his job, he would not do any impropriety towards the organization's privacy because it can ruin his career as a Systems Analyst. Another advantage of being a Systems Analyst is the salary it may have in developing a system. According to jobsdescriptions.net, most of the employees working on the field of information technology earn more than the national average, and also for the Systems Analysts. Based on the figures in 2008, labor statistics show a non-supervisory systems analyst averaging around $1400 gross per week, compared to a national average of $600 gross per week. Systems analysts are really paid well because of their expertise and specialized skills. Those who have college degrees in business and courses related to computers also should be able to find jobs in this field. New jobs are expected as more companies try to use computers to improve their businesses. New Internet and wireless technologies are also expected to create more jobs.

Based on the characteristics and skills that are actually done discussing by the previous reporters, I can say that for a student like me, I may not have enough experience yet but looking at the characteristics of a good Systems Analyst I can communicate through means of writing and of verbal communication, I may say that I can easily get along with people especially when we have of same likes and tastes. In terms of work, as long as others would be helpful in attaining the result needed, I am open to other ideas. I may not have the specific skills defined above but may be some of it are progressively enhancing as I get along with my studies and future projects.

Source:
https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/PlanningYourCareer/JobProfiles/JobProfile0882/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.jobdescriptions.net/technology/systems-analyst/
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/systems_analyst_job_description.htm
http://jobs.virginia.gov/careerguides/ComputerSystemsAnalyst.htm

The first chapter of our lecture – discussion session in SAD talks about the topic The World of the Information System Analyst. The subtopics cover the roles of a system analyst, the various systems an analyst can work on, the required skills of a system analyst, the analyst’s role in strategic planning, and why ethical behavior crucial for an analyst’s career.
I know little about the qualities and functions of a system analyst. To me, it sounds cool. Being the analyzer of the system – of how every component of the system works and operates. It was only later that we have all come to know what a real system analyst does.
Systems Analysis is a process of understanding in detail what a system should accomplish. It is about understanding the goals and strategies of the business and defining the information requirements that support those goals and strategies. Most importantly, systems analysis is not about programming.

A system analyst plays a major role in a project team which works primarily for an information system. A Systems Analyst serves as a business professional who uses analysis and design techniques to solve business problems using information technology. As we all know information technology is the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware, which deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and securely retrieve information. A systems analyst researches problems, plans solutions, recommends software and systems, and coordinates development to meet business or other requirements (wikipedia)

A system is defined as a collection of components that work together to realize some objective forms a system. Basically there are three major components in every system, namely input, processing and output. In a system the different components are connected with each other and they are interdependent. For example, Human body represents a complete natural system. We are also bound by many national systems such as political system, economic system, educational system and so forth. The objective of the system demand that some output is produced as a result of processing the suitable inputs. An information system (IS) is a collection of interrelated components that collect, process, store, and provide as output information needed to complete tasks (Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, 4th Edition). Role of System Analyst differs from organization to organization. The role of an analyst is to help organizations understand the challenges before them to make this transition and to ensure that the needs and expectations of the client are represented correctly in the final solution. Each company needs to define the specific roles and responsibilities that an analyst plays in their organization. However, the general roles and responsibilities of an analyst are defined below. In general, the analyst is responsible for ensuring that the requirements set forth by the business are captured and documented correctly before the solution is developed and implemented. In some companies, this person might be called a Business Analyst, Business Systems Analyst, Systems Analyst or a Requirements Analyst. While each of these titles has their particular nuances, the main responsibility of each is the same - to capture and document the requirements needed to implement a solution to meet the clients' business needs. If requirements are not captured and documented, the analyst is accountable. If the solution meets the documented requirements, but the solution still does not adequately represent the requirements of the client, the analyst is accountable.

When you're solving business problems, it's all-too-easy easy to skip over important steps in the problem-solving process, meaning that you can miss good solutions, or, worse still, fail to identify the problem correctly in the first place.
One way to prevent this happening is by using the Simplex Process. This powerful step-by-step tool helps you identify and solve problems creatively and effectively. It guides you through each stage of the problem-solving process, from finding the problem to implementing a solution.

I can say that for how many years I have been studying in information technology, I have come to be fond of working things out with the help of technology. It is just that for years of my stay in the university where I am studying, I have come to realize how technology can really help a lot through its applications to aid our efficiency in our daily work. Technically, I have gathered a lot of knowledge while studying in my course.
The Characteristics of a good Systems Analyst are listed below to help follow how to become a good system analyst.
1. The system analyst must be able to communicate in writing and orally.

2. The analyst must easily get along with people.

3. The analyst must be a good listener and be able to react to what people say.

4. The analyst must be knowledgeable of technology. The analyst is not expected to know the intricacies of programming, but a decent general knowledge of concepts and terms are essential.

5. The analyst must be knowledgeable of business. The analyst is not expected to be an expert in business but a decent understanding of the client's world is required.


I believed that I possessed the qualities and skills to become a system analyst. Understanding the goals and strategies of a business and defining the information requirements that support those goals and strategies are a mighty hard task done by a Systems Analyst. This task requires specific skills and these are: Technical Knowledge, Business Knowledge and People Knowledge.
My technical knowledge in both tools and techniques with project planning, systems analysis, systems design, database design, network design, construction, implementation, and systems support is not that strong but it would be developed as time pass by and studying it for more than a lot of time a day. I have enough knowledge in Systems Integration / Systems Development.
If you have the experience of developing system you wil have the idea of how to do it, what to do, what's there, what's not there, what's there to fix, etc. System Analysts should start with something small, he associated the carpenter who starts to build small houses, he said that SA should also start with something small, such as programming small-scales. He also imparted to us his thought that a Systems Analyst should have a 'part' or experience of every task such as in documentation team, developing team, quality assurance team, communication team and the likes. Because if he lacks something on those skills there is a possibility that the Systems Analyst won't be effective in doing his job.
I can say that I am flexible. This is one of my good characteristic to become a system analyst. I would be systems analyst should be flexible to be prepared for the rapid changing technology that we have. I am flexible to accept new duties, assignments and responsibilities. He can perform more than one role until the incremental duties and functions assumed can be assigned to co-workers in newly defined roles. He is also willing to dig in and do grunt work tasks which eventually will be performed by lower level employees.
I also have the energy to do this task. I have high level of enthusiasm and energy. I consistently generate output that is higher than could be reasonably expected. I’m fully committed to the organization, its goals and overall success.
Not only does I desire to make a contribution to results, I am in needs to see the results of my contributions quickly, not measured in years.
Team Player is another good characteristic that I possessed. I’m a true team player, I recognizes how my role contributes to the overall effort and success of the organization. I accept accountability and ownership for her area of responsibility and expects others on the team to do the same. I also recognize the roles and contributions of others and applaud their efforts sincerely.
A system analyst must also be a good communicator and this characteristic needs to be improved within me. As one job of an information system analyst is being a collaborator of the project team, he/she must know how teamwork is essential to the project. Professional information system analysts can work independently yet seeing to it that the project of the team can continue System analysts work closely with developers and programmers. Just imagine a system analyst not in good terms with the project developers and programmers. It would certainly result in arguments because of differences in views and ideas of the system specifications that could end in an unsuccessful project implementation. I as an aspirant do think I have the communication skills of a system analyst. Currently, I am working with a team in making our software engineering project. We are going to develop a system for one of our university offices. I must admit that the team where I belong right now composed none of my closest friends in college but I have worked with them in previous projects in other subjects. So far, we have accomplished those projects smoothly with good, if not better teamwork and collaboration with each other. I have always believed that one need not be with close friends in a project all the time as this would sometimes result in team members working dependently with one another. Right now I am practicing to work with people whom I could say, are nice to work with because we don’t take our tasks personally rather we try to work professionally. As a project manager of our team, I also have the responsibility to maintain good relationship among my team members, seeing to it that we also have time to relax a bit needing not to engross our heads in our project rather we talk about it and discuss to the team what is best for our project. Arguments are normal, they are actually not unhealthy – because we are just letting ideas clash and eventually it could help us sort things our on which components are lacking or needs enhancement and may not be needed to implement in our system – but we are doing it in a manner of professionalism – we do not take striking words personally just for work.
I can do this things because I am Improvement Oriented. I am more than willing to challenge in a constructive way existing procedures and systems; to me the status quo is temporary. I suggests changes and improvements frequently and encourages others to do so also.

Moreover, a system analyst should have both holistic and systematic approach - a holistic approach looks at the whole picture. The totality of something is much greater than the sum of its component parts and they cannot be understood by the isolated examination of their parts. While a systematic approach is more of a philosophy than a technique. It's the way one approaches problems in life, as opposed to the specific solutions that exist. Given a certain problem, one has many choices as to how to solve it. However, approaching the problem haphazardly, may or may not solve the problem. But, approaching the problem with the analytical approach, one is more likely to find the solution to the problem. How one can approach the problem analytically, or systematically, depends on how one views the problem. This is what is often called Analysis, and is really the same thing as breaking the problem down, sometimes referred to as "Divide and Conquer." By breaking down a problem, one can see the various aspects of the problem, and how they inter-relate, and by isolating the causative factors in the problem, one can find the solution to the problem. A Systematic Approach can be used in many areas, such as, systems analysis, software development, (which are part of the software development life cycle), internet site design, web optimization, hosting, business management and consulting, sales, and training. He emphasized that both approaches or views should be a character of a Systems Analyst.
In additional, system analyst Should have a skill on Calculating Risks - this is very important he said, because the Systems Analyst should be a risk-taker in a smart way. He let us define what is 'risk' for us but he answered his own question he answered that risk is a possibility of a loss. In every move that a Systems Analyst take, there are so many risks involve. HE said that we can never stop a risk from coming but we can prepare on how it will affect us. He emphasized the importance of this characteristic by sharing to us the murphy's law which states that 'If something can go wrong, it will, and it will hit you in the most inappropriate time.' A Systems Analyst knows and understands that murphy's law will exist forever. A good Systems Analyst should be able to identify, analyze and detect the risk that might be involve on his plans. A good Systems Analyst should also be able to take the risk.
The following traits are not meant to determine whether a person is a competent Business Analyst. Competency in business analysis tasks is something that typically is tied to the ability for an individual to perform BA tasks at a certain level of complexity and autonomy. Usually Business Analysts improve their competency over time with experience and ongoing professional learning. That said I find these traits can partially predict a person’s inherent ability to rapidly improve their competency in business analysis through on-the-job and classroom training and experience.
The neat thing about these traits is that you can structure interview questions and scenarios to actually try and bring these traits to the surface. If you look for these traits while you’re interviewing you will definitely have a leg up in determining if the candidate will be able to work well as a BA in your organization.

For systems analyst, programmer-analyst, and database administrator positions, many employers seek applicants who have a bachelor's degree in computer science, information science, or management information systems (MIS). MIS programs usually are part of the business school or college and differ considerably from computer science programs, emphasizing business and management-oriented course work and business computing courses.
The level of education and type of training that employers require depend on their needs. One factor affecting these needs is changes in technology. Employers often scramble to find workers capable of implementing “hot” new technologies. Those workers with formal education or experience in information security, for example, are in demand because of the growing need for their skills and services.
As technology becomes more sophisticated and complex, employers demand a higher level of skill and expertise from their employees. Individuals with an advanced degree in computer science or computer engineering or with an MBA with a concentration in information systems should enjoy highly favorable employment prospects. College graduates with a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, information science, or MIS also should enjoy favorable prospects for employment, particularly if they have supplemented their formal education with practical experience. Because employers continue to seek computer specialists who can combine strong technical skills with good interpersonal and business skills, graduates with non-computer-science degrees, but who have had courses in computer programming, systems analysis, and other information technology areas, also should continue to find jobs in these computer fields. In fact, individuals with the right experience and training can work in these computer occupations regardless of their college major or level of formal education.


resources:
http://www.nos.org/htm/sad1.htm
http://www.mindtools.com
http://www.modernanalyst.com/

The whole chapter 1 talks about mainly on what is information system and how to become a system analyst. The role of a system analyst in a developing company is not an easy task to do. In words, it is easy to describe a system analyst but in works, one of the most crucial works. The success of a certain company depends on the works of a system analyst.

In chapter 1, system analyst was explained. But before it explained the characteristics of a system analyst, we must first understand what a system and information system is. Based on the report on chapter 1, an information system is a collection of interrelated components that collect, process, store, and provide as output the information needed to complete a business task. It is Crucial to success of modern business organizations. Why crucial? Because it can help you to gain more profit or it may lose your whole profit. But Example of these is what we called enrollment system. With the help of it, our process in enrolling is more convenient than the previous ones. There is also what we called banking system, registration system and many more that involves collecting of data. To analyze a system, in this way, this where system analyst works.

The role of a system analyst in a business company is very important and it is not an easy job to do. Some people would say that system analyst is problem solver. He/she knows hot investigate the problem of the company. He must know to analyze and design a system. In this regard, system analyst should undergo thorough research in a particular system. He/she must analyze a system and after that, he/she can conclude and start to make a design a system. Also, one of the roles of the system analyst is that he/she can help translate business requirements to IT projects. He/she can help to make the process of a certain system to an easier one with the help of technology. Another role of system analyst is in strategic planning. He/she develop information systems that support strategic planning. He can develop an application architecture plan, a description of the integrated information systems that the organization needs to carry out its business function. He can also develop a technology architecture plan, a description of the hardware, software, and communications networks required to implement planed information systems. In order for a system analyst to be effective, system analyst is the person who selects and configures computer systems for an organization or business. His or her job typically begins with determining the intended purpose of the computers. This means the analyst must understand the general objectives of the business, as well as what each individual user's job requires. Once the system analyst has determined the general and specific needs of the business, he can choose appropriate systems that will help accomplish the goals of the business. Systems analyst investigates the problems, finds solutions, recommends software and systems, and manages development to meet business requirements and other requirements. They will be familiar with several varieties of programming languages, operating systems, and computer hardware platforms. The systems analysts are the connections between vendors and information technology professionals. They may be responsible for developing cost and benefit analysis, design implementation, and creating the time lines of the system.

System Analyst as business problem solver has to understand business problems. He/she uses logical methods for solving problems. A system analyst wants to make things better. And also he/she is more of a business problem solver than a technical programmer. There are several approaches in solving a problem. He/she researches and understands the problem. A system analyst should verify benefits in solving the problem. He/she can define the requirements for solving a problem. He/she can develop a set of possible alternatives solutions. A system analyst will decide the details of the solution and also can implement the solution. He/she can maintain to ensure the desired result. As a systems analyst would be needed by a company to examine their systems and processes, and recommend improvements. A Systems Analyst serves as a business professional who uses analysis and design techniques to solve business problems using information technology. A systems analyst performs the following tasks: Interact with the customers to know their requirements, Interact with designers to convey the possible interface of the software, Interact or guide the coders or developers to keep track of system development, Perform system testing with sample data with the help of testers, Implement the new system, Prepare High quality Documentation

The system analyst is the person or persons who guides through the development of an information system. In performing these tasks the system analyst must always match the information system objectives with the goals of the organization. Based on what I have read, the role of System Analyst differs from organization to organization.
In System analysis, it understands the goals and strategies of the business. He or she defines the information requirements that support those goals and strategies. It includes system's study in order to get facts about business activity. It is about getting information and determining requirements. It is where the responsibility includes only requirement determination, not the designing of the system. In System analysis and design, system Analyst is in charge for the designing of the new system. In Systems analysis, design, and programming, a system analyst is also required to work as a programmer, where he actually writes the code to implement the design of the planned application.
The required skills of the system analyst are based on knowledge and skills. We have Technical knowledge and skills. We also have business knowledge and skills. And lastly people knowledge and skills.

• Technical knowledge and skills
A system analyst should have fundamental technology knowledge of Computers or peripheral devices. It is more on hardware part. He/she should have skills in Communication networks and connectivity. It is more on networking. A knowledge on Database and database management systems or DBMS. In this way, system analyst knows how to create database and how to maintain it. System analyst should have knowledge and skills in programming language. Programming language is used in the implementation part of the system. It is the basic knowledge of being a programmer. Examples of it are VB.NET or Java. He/she should have knowledge on Operating systems and utilities. It is because it is the basic of the computers and we use computer nowadays. It is a help on maintaining a system by knowing the operating system used and its other functionalities.

Another aspect on technical knowledge and skill is that system analyst uses tools. A system analyst uses Software productivity packages. There are many Software productivity packages out there that can help the system analyst. He/she uses Integrated development environments or IDEs for programming languages. It is more convenient to write a code in an IDE because an IDE helps to compile the code and also it has type checking. It will if there are errors. A system analyst uses CASE tools, testing, documentation support, reverse engineering, configuration management. CASE tools or Computer-aided software engineering, is the scientific application of a set of tools and methods to a software system which is meant to result in high-quality, defect-free, and maintainable software products. It also refers to methods for the development of information systems together with automated tools that can be used in the software development process.

Another aspect on technical knowledge and skill is that system analyst understands SDLC techniques. SDLC or what we called System Development Life Cycle is defined as the process of developing system or software to meet certain requirements. It covers many activities. It starts from understanding why the system should be built, studying the project feasibility, analyzing problems, choosing the system design and architecture, implementing and testing it, up to delivering the system as product to the user. In project planning, it is the process of understanding why the system should be built and defining its requirements. It also includes feasibility study from several different perspectives, technical, economic, and organization feasibility aspects. The next one is systems analysis, includes activities such as problems identifying and analysis, and even predicting potential problems that may arise in the future regarding the system. The deliverables or products of this phase will drive how the system will be built and guide the developer’s works. Next is system design. System analysis leads to design decision, which exactly determines how the system operates in terms of process, data, hardware, network infrastructures, user interface, and other important factors in the system environment. In implementation, this is probably the most consuming phase of all. It will consume time, resources and cost. This is when the system is actually built, tested, and finally installed. It also includes activities such as user training and system maintenance. SDLC tries to achieve high quality system that meets or exceeds the requirements. Many methodologies have been developed and introduced in order to implement SDLC or System development life cycle.

• Business knowledge and skills
When we talk about system analyst, it is just not depend on technical; a system analyst must also have knowledge and skills on business. Main purpose of system analyst is that, he/she is a business problem solver. That’s why we need to have knowledge and skills on business. A system analyst must understand Business functions performed by organization. He/she must understand strategies, plans, traditions, and values of the organization. The organizational structure of the business that you want to analyze. System analyst must understand the organization management techniques. He/she must understand functional work processes. These things needed by a system analyst for them to able to analyze a certain system of the company. He/she can identify the problem of the system. And he/she can implement a solution that is also connected to the company’s problem. As the analyst might have to develop any kind of a business system, he should be familiar with the general functioning of all kind of business.

• People Knowledge and Skills
System analyst need to understand how people think. He/she can think of what people think. If system analyst thinks that he is the employee, he/she maybe can identify the problem. System analyst need to understand how people learn. In planning in making solution to the problem of the system, system analyst should understand the people who are going to use the system. They are new to the system. They cannot easily adapt to the system. It can help to have tutorials in using the system or have a guideline in using the system. System analyst need to understand how people react to change. In this aspect, we cannot please people to love directly the system. Some of them are curious. Some of them have question in their mind on how are we going to use the system. Or maybe at least people would don’t like the system. System analyst should find ways to please the people and encourage them have a change in the system. We cannot deny on reacting on change, but system analyst can minimize on reacting, by analyzing them. System analyst need to understand how people communicate. It is very important to know on how people communicate to the system, whether they can adopt it or not. It is a big help for the system analyst on how people communicate in a system because he/she knows what to do and not for a certain system. System analyst need to understand how people Work (in a variety of jobs and levels). In this aspect, system analyst should consider the people who will use the system. Example of it is that it is not good to have complex systems if you are in encoding section. Interpersonal and communication skills are vital in Finding information, According to what I have read, Motivating people getting cooperation and understanding the complexity and workings of an organization in order to provide necessary support. It simply means that if we don’t have interpersonal and communication skill, we don’t have the knowledge and skills in people.

We can define those skills as hard skills and soft skills. The hard skills are the skill that is in technical area in which database design, programming, and telecommunication are involved while the soft skills are the skills in nontechnical areas such as interviewing, team management, interacting with other people and leadership.

There are other Characteristics of a good Systems Analyst. A system analyst must be flexible. it is one of the characteristics needed. A systems analyst should be flexible to be prepared for the rapid changing technology that we have. A systems analyst should have a skill on Calculating Risks because the systems Analyst should be a risk-taker in a smart way. He let us define what is risk for a company but he answered his own question he answered that risk is a possibility of a loss. In every move that a Systems Analyst take, there are so many risks involve. A good Systems Analyst should be able to identify, analyze and detect the risk that might be involved on his plans. A good Systems Analyst should also be able to take the risk. Some of them are the system analyst must be able to communicate in writing and orally, the analyst must easily get along with people, the system analyst must be a good listener and be able to react to what people say, system the analyst must be knowledgeable of technology. The analyst is not expected to know the intricacies of programming, but a decent general knowledge of concepts and terms are essential, the system analyst must be knowledgeable of business. The analyst is not expected to be an expert in business but a decent understanding of the client's world is required.

It is important for a system analyst to recognize the importance of ethical behavior. System analysts are trusted with private and proprietary information of a certain company. System analyst has access to confidential information, such as salary, an organization’s planned projects, and security systems. Any wrong doings of a system analyst can ruin his or her career.

Some system analyst doing analysis and design has many different job titles. Sometimes, analysis and design is part of their duties and responsibilities. System analyst can also manage a project or what we called the leader of the project as project manager. System analyst can also entitled as Programmer Analyst, Business System Analyst, System Liaison, End-user Analyst, Business/system consultant, System support analyst, System designer, Software engineer, System architect, Web architect, Web developer.

For me, as a computer science student, I can say that I may not have all the characteristics to be a good system analyst discussed above but I may have some of the skills and knowledge to be a good analyst. As a student, learning from our facilitator and from other people can help to improve some other characteristics. Being a system analyst is not easy task. The company’s future relies on the hands of a system analyst. The main task of a system analyst is the problem solver. It’s easy to explain a system analyst but it very difficult to do it. We have peers and our facilitator that can help us develop those skills mention above and to become a good system analyst.

References:
http://www.systemsanalyst.com/what-does-a-systems-analyst-do/
http://www.freetutes.com/systemanalysis/role-of-system-analyst.html
http://www.slideshare.net/Timothy212/systems-development
http://www.slepi.net/blog/system-development/system-development-life-cycle-sdlc-methodologies.html
http://www.mystudyroom.com.np/classnotes.php?nan=118&fire=4&cake=25&sun=6&rnd=13543472574e3a53a0a21b41.49643308

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http://ambot112-a1.blogspot.com/2011/12/topic-about-chapter-1-is-system-analyst.html



The topic about the chapter 1 is the system analyst as a project manager. After the topic was delivered, I was able to describe the analyst’s role in a system development project and describe the various types of systems an analyst might work on. I was also learned the concept of an information system, the key role of system analyst in business and the important skills that the analyst must have mush as technical knowledge, good communication to people, and business oriented.
The first subtopic of charter 1 is about of what is an information system. According what is presented, an information system is a collection of interrelated components that collect, process, store, and then provide an output for the information needed to complete a business task. So therefore, information system will be the output provider for the good of the business from the processed data which was collected and stored from an information system. The following are the major types of an information system that the system analyst might work on the future:
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) – it involves using technology to organize, automate, and synchronize business processes; principally sales activities, but also those for marketing, customer service, and technical support. In short, it is composed of methodologies, software, and usually Internet capabilities that help an enterprise manage customer relationships in an organized way.
• Supply Chain Management (SCM) – it includes product development, product acquisition, manufacturing, and inventory management.
• Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) includes intranet application to maximize employee access to financial data for planning and control.
• Manufacturing Process Management (MPM) – it is the collection of technologies and methods used to define how products are to be manufactured. It is also designed to assist in reducing operational overheads and supporting operational efficiencies in discrete, process, and mixed-mode manufacturing environments.
• Collaboration Support System (CSS) includes integrates order-processing and fulfillment system with SCM, support customer orders (mail, phone, and web).
• Knowledge Management (KM) - comprises a range of strategies and practices used in an organization to identify, create, represent, distribute, and enable adoption of insights and experiences. Such insights and experiences comprise knowledge, either embodied in individuals or embedded in organizations as processes or practices.
The Examples of information system are course registration system, online order system, online banking system and other system that has collect, process, and store activity. Information system can be also other system that uses the Input, Process, Output (IPU) system or deals with inputs, customer support system which includes hardware, software and people, and then produce an output. But here in University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), examples of an information system are the Student Record Management System (SRMS) for the students and the Human Resource Management System (HRMS) for the employee and faculty of the university, there was also systems for finance and accounting. In the SRMS, it is consist of registrar and database, the registrar is the one who collect, process and store in database the data about the student, then database will provide the output as a the certificate of registration, transcript of records and etc.
But then, why an information system is important for a system analyst? It is because of the following:
• It supports business functions; just like in the SRMS it makes the enrolment easier and more comfortable. It makes the some of the business transactions become faster, less hustle and easy to be done.
• It makes business more competitive, USEP’s SRMS makes the university compete from the other university in terms of what the student experience in enrolment or getting his/her records.
• It enhance productivity and profits, because of SRMS the enrolment process of USEP helps more efficient that can be able to serve the student in a minimum time that means more student will be served at the end of the day.
The second subtopic of the chapter 1 is about on system analysis and system analyst, it tackles of what is system analysis, what the role of system analyst and what is system analyst are doing about. So what is system analysis? It understands the goals and strategies of the business that can be able to help for the success of the business, defining the information requirements that support those goals and strategies this helps to determine on what are the things needed in strategy to accomplish the business goal. Then, what is the system analyst? The system analyst basically is the business problem solver. The system analyst is also the one who investigate, analyzes, design, develop, installs, evaluate, and maintains a company’s information systems. Therefore, a system analyst is a business professional who uses analysis and design techniques to solve business problems using information technology. A system analyst is not all about analyzing the system instead system analyst also do the following:
• Investigation on what is the problem and what are the solutions of the problem.
• Analysis on what is the best and suitable solution of the problem, understanding in details on what a system should accomplish.
• Design and develop of the system that may answer the needs of user and the affected parties, or the application of the solution based on the investigation results. Also specifying in details how components of an information system should be physically implemented.
• Installation of the solution, or deploying the system to the affected parties.
• Evaluation either the solution answer the problem, or not. It is based on the response of the users of the system deployed.
• Maintains the system to support the further need of the user.
The next topic was about the strategic planning. The system analyst must accomplish strategic plans to solve the business problem. The strategic planning is a process during which executives try to answer such question:
• Where the business is now? Or what is the current state of the business, is it productive? These questions determine the strength and weakness of the business. It also helps to develop their strength and compliment their weakness.
• Where they want the business to be? Or what they wanted their business will be after five or ten years? These questions set a goal for the business, and sets business to improve by motivating those goals.
• What they have to do to get there? Or what are the steps they will do to achieve their goals? These questions determine the things that the business should do to reach their goals.
Therefore, strategic planning determines the starting, and finishing points of the business. It also determines the needs and procedure undergo by the business to become better and be able to reach the finishing point.
But what is the role of an analyst in strategic planning? The role of analyst is to develop the information system that supports strategic planning. As stated earlier that the system analyst is the problem solver of the business, this means that the key of strategic plan on a certain business to become successful is depending to a system analyst. System analyst needs to develop an application plan which is a description of the integrated information systems that the organization needs to carry out its business function. This application architecture plan will be the pattern on what must do in accomplishing strategic plans. System analyst also needs to develop a technology architecture plan which is a description of the hardware, software, and communications networks required to implement planned information systems. This technology architecture plan will be the compilation of what are the tools needed in doing the strategic plan.
Strategic plans are used for solving problems of a business. Then, as a rule of system analyst is to solve the business problem. In solving those problems, system analyst must know some steps of approach as follows:
1. Research and understand the problem – in this step, system analyst conduct gathering of data regarding to the problem matters. Then, the data collected will analyze and determine the cause of the problem and think if there is possible way to solve the problem.
2. Verify benefits of solving problem out weight the costs –determine the benefits that can give by aiding the problem. Determine if the cost of solving problem is better than accepting the effect of the problem.
3. Define the requirements for solving the problem – if the cost of aiding the problem is lesser than the cost of accepting the problem, and then identify the things and tools needed to solve the said problem.
4. Develop a set of possible solutions (alternatives) – after determining the requirements for solving the problem, think what possible solution to solve the problem are.
5. Decide which solution is best and recommend – among the solutions identified in the previous step, choose the best solution that will perfectly aid the problem
6. Define the details of the chosen solution – when the best solution was identified, discuss it in more detail things. Determine what are the things needed to accomplish the solution.
7. Implement the solution – in this step, the solution was been applied with a guarantee that that was the solution of the problem.
8. Monitor to ensure desired results – after deploying the solution, it need to be monitor to confirm that it is really the right solution of the problem
It was said that system analyst solves the problem of the business, and businesses address those problem by strategic planning. So what are the usual problems that the system analyst and business wanted to solve. These are typical problems system analysts typically solve.
• Customers want to order product anytime of the day, it was normal situation in a business especially when it is online where the customers able to order anytime they want. But it is hard to difficult for the company to monitor their customers, so to avoid the loss of sales and to serve their customer immediately the aid of a system analysis is needed. Then, what system analyst and business do is improve the Customer Relationship Management and Manufacturing Management.
• Marketing want to know customer needs better. It is difficult to determine the needs of the customers especially on what are their responses on a business function. The business and system analyst usually do is create a forums, and chat rooms.
• Management wants to analyze financial information more efficiently. The management of the business wants to analyze financial information for the transparency. So the system analyst do is to develop the Financial and Accounting Management for easy access to financial information.
• Including to the topic in chapter 1 was as a system analyst was also required traits and skills to them become a real business problem solver. The following traits are those system analysts must have:
• They need to have a computer technology knowledge and programming expertise. As the definition of a system analyst is the one who uses analysis and design techniques to solve business problems using information technology which mean it is essential to a system analyst to have knowledge about the computer technology.
• They can really understand the business problems. How system analyst solves a problem if they did not understand the real problem. Meaning system analyst need to understand the problem first before they can solve the problem.
• They use logical methods for solving problems. To make a reasonable solved problem it need to use logical methods of solving to be able to provide effective proof.
• They have fundamental curiosity. Curiosity is very important for a system analyst because it is the foundation of new ideas. New ideas that could be very useful in solving problems and could be the foundation of another new idea.
• They want to make things better. Creating something is not the end is was just the beginning of another something new. This means that as a system analyst it is not absolutely done in creating new things. Instead, it needs be enhance more better and develop more.
On the other hand, the important knowledge of being a system analyst must have is divided into category as follows; technical knowledge, business knowledge and people knowledge. In terms of skill in was divided into two from the two areas, the hard and soft skills.
The technical knowledge of a system analyst refers to having knowledge about the hardware and software used in computer. Even the system analysis was not focus on programming, but still it is important have knowledge about the technologies especially now at modern days. So as system analyst it is need to know how to use some tools in programming, communication network and connectivity, database management system, and operating systems for more efficient work. That knowledge can be very useful in project planning, systems analysis and design, database and network design, construction, implementation, and support to the system.
The business knowledge refers to the knowledge about the business functions performed by an organization, strategies, plans, traditions, and values of the organization. It also refers to knowledge about the organizational structure, organizational management techniques, and functional work processes. This knowledge helps to a system analyst to analyze more on what are the possible solutions of the business problem because it gives an idea to the system analyst on what are they need and what are they want.
People knowledge refers to the ability to understand on how people think, learn, react to change, communicate, and work. System analyst must predict what are the possible reactions of people on how they adopt on the new environment that will be deploy as an information system. The interpersonal and communication skills of an system analyst are crucial in obtaining the require information from the business and the customer, motivating people to make some changes and aim for the goal, getting cooperation from the people surround because the key of the success of an information system project depends on how the people interact and help the system analyst, and understanding the complexity and workings of an organization in order to provide necessary support.
Hard skills are the skills in technical areas such as database design, programming, and telecommunication which are the necessary skills in doing information system by using the tools of being a technical system analyst. Then, the soft skills are the skills in non-technical areas such as interviewing other people, team management, and leadership. These soft skills are the skill of a system analyst on how they communicate to other people, either to their customer or to their teammates
As a system analyst, they have an access to confidential information about the business, such as salary, an organization’s planned projects, security systems, and so on. Therefore, system analyst must have integrity and ethics like they must keep the any business information in private; they must make plan security in systems that could protect confidential business information because any impropriety can ruin an analyst’s career and reputation.
Being a system analyst, they must be able to make ERP software related, conduct business analysts in different business functions such as auditing, compliance, and security. A system analyst must consider all possible aspect in making an information system.

Based on my learning on the report about The World of The Information System Analyst, it is really hard to have skills of a system analyst. But those required skills of the system analyst can be learned through studies and experiences, and the best solution in requiring those skills is through experience because experience is the best teacher above all else. As some others have defined the system analyst in this way, the system analyst must know how to use computers to get the job done. Ang system analyst ang nagsasabi sa kanilang mga cliyente sa negosyo o organization kung anong klaseng computer at software ang kanilang bibilhin, and the system analyst choose on how those devices work together. Computer system analysts do their job first in having a question by the people on what they need their computers to do. And they plan a computer system on all those things that can work all those tasks well. Ang system na kanilang ginagawa ay kinakailangan ng maraming computers working together at iba’t-ibang klaseng software. After the system analyst understands what they must need to do in the system, hinahati-hati nila ang lahat ng tasks sa mga ibang myembro ng team para mapadali ang proseso. They create a diagram and charts to show how the information they gathered works, how that information will be processed, and how it will use by the people who need it. Ang system analyst din ay nag-eexperimento ng iba’t-bang computer system plans para sa kanilang simulation. At gumagamit sila ng iba’t-ibang tools at steps hanggang sa mahanap ng system analyst ang pinakamabilis, pinakamadali, at mas mura ang halaga, kagaya ng pagsasaliksik at pagformulate ng isang computer algorithm. Pagkatapos ay gagawa ang system analyst ng desisyon kung anong klaseng computer at software ang bibilhin at gagamitin. The system analyst also tells an instruction to the computer programmers on how to create any new software they must need. They give the programmers a step by step process. The main job for some system analyst is doing the computers work together. The system analysts make a decision on how to get information from the network, probably getting data from the Internet. After the system was planned, the system analysts try to test the system to make sure that it works. Sinusuri nila ang flow of process para makasigurado na ang impormasyon ay mabilis ang proseso at walang pagkakamali. They also look the system if it is easy to use by the user. But sometimes, they have to change their plans to improve the systems better.
Many computer system analysts are graduated in computer science, information science, management information system. An analysts must have an advance skills and understanding in computer, math, and planning. Logical thinking skills are also important. A system analyst must need to have a good, or preferably an excellent communication and writing skills, so that they can explain well and convince their clients that their systems is well-engineered, and give good instructions to the team.
According to Chapter 1, “An information system is a collection of interrelated components that collect, process, store, and provide as output the information needed to complete a business task.” And the job of the system analyst is to work on that information system to provide a desired result in Business Company. Information system is very important in business company because it “supports business functions in modern business organization, make business more competitive, enhance productivity and profits.” In that aspect, system analyst is very important in decision-making process because he/she is the one who deals with the problem. According to Job Responsibilities.com, the system analyst has its main responsibility in designing an IT solutions na kung saan ay makapagbibigay ng maraming produksyon sa negosyo. At itong trabaho ay maaring magawa para sa internal clients at sa external clients. Their responsibilities must include a constant communication with the clients, and checking the current model of business along with the data flows. After that, the system analyst must communicate with the client and make a more improved and appropriate IT solution for the client. The responsibilities of the system analysts can be more complex for the reason that they must fulfill their roles in the team; this includes their responsibilities of a constant long communication with internal as well as external clients. Next is the analysis of the current system of client. Then having a conversion of the requirements of a client to the strongly specified project description. The system analyst must identify immediately the proper solutions and receiving them for the purpose of both the business and technical stability. The system analyst must have a presentation of the proposals to the clients, and the production of the feasibility reports for the projects.
All those criteria are very important to the business company to have those responsibilities by the system analyst because of the competitive issues, especially the communication between the internal and external clients for them to update each other in every detail they want to succeed. As Chapter 1 discussed, the role of the system analyst is to “Investigate, analyze, design, develop, installs, evaluate, and maintains a company’s information systems; a business problem solver, the solution to the problem is generally a new information system, and help translates business requirements into Information Technology projects.” Investigation and analyzing is important in planning phase because it is the first step in system development life cycle and careful planning is the key to success. Collecting data, defining and understanding the problem can be hustle because of some limited resources you can gather or the complexity of the problem but good definition of the important problem can be succeed by the good system analyst. A good system analyst can be an asset for the company’s success because a system analyst is a business problem solver, and an experienced and a good background of a system analyst can create a best solution of the very hard and complex problem it encounters in the company. And also if the solutions were created after the analysis phase, a good design and development of the system can be achieved. But some flaws in the solutions they implemented can be seen after the system was deployed in the establishment. After the project had done, the system analyst must write or make a documentation of the system for a user manual for the clients.
A system analyst is the one who is “responsible for researching, planning, coordinating and recommending software and system choices” to be able to meet the organization’s business requirements, according to SystemAnalyst.com. A system analyst has a very important role in the system development process. A successful system analyst must have an analytical skill “to understand the organization and its functions”, which can be helpful in identifying the opportunities, and to analyze and solve problems. It is common that if you have a technical skill, you can understand the potential and the limitations of information technology. The system analyst must have an expertise in various programming languages to be able to work in different operating systems and computer hardware platforms. Having an advance management skills help the system analysts manage projects, resources, risk, and change. System analyst can be worked well with the end users with the help of their interpersonal skills, as well as they can also communicate with other analysts, programmers, and other system professionals. The system analyst must be responsible for developing cost analysis, design considerations, and implementation and they may also be responsible in making a feasibility study of a computer system before making recommendation to senior management. According to SystemAnalysis.com, there are six tasks that a system analyst must perform. First is the interaction with the customers to know their desired requirements. Second is the interaction with the designers to convey the possible interface of the software. Third is to interact or guide the programmers and system developers to keep track of system development. Fourth is that they must perform some testing in the system with sample or live data with the help of testers. After running some testing and if the results are enough for approval, then it must implement the new system. Then the last is to prepare high quality documentation. But many system analysts nowadays have shifted into business analyst “and the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that “Increasingly, employers are seeking individuals who have a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) with a concentration in information technology.””
So that definition is very accurate and detailed as what is really a system analyst. A system analyst must have a good background of a researcher and a business planner because that is the first step in defining the problem of the business establishment. A correct data gathering can be crucial in defining a correct solution to the problem because of the possibility of misunderstanding the data collected. A system analyst is also a planner in implementing the desired solution or output of the information. Coordination to others is also important for them to really understand the scope and complexity of the problem, and how he act to it as fast as possible. A successful system analyst must have an advance experience in analyzing a company’s problems and situations for them to think a better and competitive solution they want to implement for the future purpose. In technical aspect, a system analyst must have an expertise in information technologies just like programming skills and database management system for them to fully develop any possible solutions or any improvements they want to implement in the company or organizations systems to have their works makes easier. In managerial skills, a system analyst must have a better sense of time management because of the deadlines of the projects or limitations of resources they can encounter with, and having a better time management the system analyst can think any possible options that is better than the previous solutions he want to implement and he can solve right away any flaws he can encounter. And interpersonal skill is very important for the system analyst to fully understand what the clients or the customers want to improve more in the system they consult with. Interacting with other people, especially with other analysts and programmer, he can think any better solutions rather than his own idea because there is any possibility that the person he interacts has a better experience in his own profession. And other system analysts are becoming a business analyst because of their skills that can improve and develop their competitiveness in the global aspect and because most of the system analyst work there profession in business establishments. So that is why most of the system analyst is now called a business analyst because they most work their professions in business establishments.
There are so many definitions and interpretation as what is really a system analyst in the world of business companies and organizations but their roles in their professions as a member in the project is the important thing that every individual must understand. Ang role ng isang system analyst ay magbigay ng tulong sa isang organisasyon na maintindihan nila ang mga pagsubok na kanilang mararanasan kapag gagawa sila ng iba-ibang hakbang sa proyekto at sinisigurado rin nila ang mga kakailanganin at maabot rin ang lahat ng expectation ng kliyente sa tamang ibibigay na representasyon sa lahat ng mga solusyon. Next is the company must need to define the specific roles and responsibilities that a system analyst must do his job in the organization, but the system analyst must be very responsible for ensuring that the requirements set forth by the business are captured and documented correctly before the solution is developed and implemented. A system analyst can be called by some companies as a Business Analyst, Business System Analyst or a Requirement Analyst. Ang lahat ng mga ibat-ibang titulo na inuugnay sa system analyst ay mayroong kani-kanilang gawain, pero ang lahat ng mga iyon ay mayroong magkakatulad na responsibilidad na kanilang ginagawa, iyon ay gumagawa ng mga dokumentasyon sa lahat ng mga requirements na kakailanganin sa pagpapatupad ng solusyon para maabot at makuha ang gusto ng isang kliyente sa kanyang negosyo. In working in any elements or an organization, the system analyst is accountable if there are requirements that are not captured and documented and if the solution meets the documented requirements, but the solution still does not adequately represent the requirements of the client, the analyst is accountable. Ang ikapampito ay ang process responsibilities, kung nasimulan na ang paunang phase which is the analysis phase, ang analyst plays a key role in making sure that the overall project successfully meets the client needs. Katuwang na ditto, ang analyzing and understanding the current state processes to ensure that the context and implications of change are understood by the clients and the project team. Ang ikalawa ay ang pagdevelop for understanding of how present and future business needs will impact the solution. Ang ikatlo ay, ang pag-identify sa mga sources and references ng lahat ng mga requirements and understanding how roles help determine the relative validity of requirements. Then, developing a requirements management plan and isawalat ang plano sa lahat ng mga stakeholders. Pagkatapos nito ay ang pag-identify nang dokumento sa lahat ng mga negosyo, technical, product and process requirements. Ang pag-wowork sa mga kliyente para mauna and rationalize ang mga requirements. Ang pagtutulungan ay napakahalaga todefine acceptance criteria for completion of the solution. Again, hindi ibig sabihin na ang analyst sa piskikal na term ay siya lahat ang magtatrabaho. Maraming mga tao ang pwede pang mag-contribute ng gawain sa grupo, including the project manager. However, kung ang finished product ay mawawalang ng ibang features, or if the solution does not resolve the business need, then the analyst is the person held accountable. Kailangan din nito ang pagiging magaling sa analyst skills, generally, analysts must have a good set of people skills, business skills, technical skills and soft skills to be successful. Katuwang nito ang pagkakaroon ng good verbal and written communication skills, including active listening skills. Ang pagiging well-organized and knowing good processes to complete the work needed for the project. Ang pagkakaron nang effective relationships with clients to develop joint vision for the project. Ang pag-aasist sa project manager by managing client expectations through careful and proactive communications regarding requirements and changes. At pakikipag-usap o negotiate to build a final consensus on a common set of requirements from all clients and stakeholders. Para ma ensure that stakeholders know the implications of their decisions, and providing options and alternatives when necessary.
The system analyst is an expert in business role that is why his voice is very important in making a best solutions in any problems they want to eliminate or have better system, and the system analyst is the one who gives any advices and making the clients understand the situation of the problem if the solution presented have some setbacks in the company’s financial aspect. But the clients are the one who gives instructions to the system analyst or business analyst as to what to work within the establishment and they must communicate and interact regularly if the problem presented by the system analyst is very complex. And being a system analyst is very hard in terms of being a professional because he is the one who is accountable if the presented solution to the client does not meet the requirements.
Based on my own understanding as what is really a system analyst is all about. I may have some characteristics to become a system analyst but my skills is not enough because I’m still learning the way the system analyst must possess and work. But communicating to other people is my very challenging task because I don’t have any skills in that matter but maybe in that aspect I may improve myself in some time.

Reference:
http://www.jobresponsibilities.org/system-analyst%E2%80%99s.html
http://www.systemsanalyst.com/what-does-a-systems-analyst-do/
http://www.modernanalyst.com/TheProfession/Roles/SystemsAnalyst/tabid/184/Default.aspx
http://www.slideshare.net/infinityrulz/roles-responsibilities-of-system-analyst-3043450
http://www.bls.gov/k12/computers06.htm

Based on your learning’s of chapter 1, identify and discuss some characteristics you have as a good Systems Analyst.
What is system analyst? A system analysis provides IT solutions to any business problems in which could be a new information system. They serve as a bridge between the end users and information technology professionals. They play an important role in business companies and like for they are responsible for the success or failure of the system being implemented with respond to the problems which the business encounters.
A system analyst must able to gather all possible details by most means which could help the success of the system designed. Being a system analyst, one should not only have good programming skills but should also have good communication skills. A system analyst must have an ear to every question, recommendations, suggestions and feedbacks that was been given by the system recipient for it helps with the proposed system’s development. There must be an open communication between the recipient and to those who will design the system. Also, communication plays a great part on data gathering where it could be a form of an interview directly to those who will be the end user of the system, their point of view with regards to the system proposed. In this way also, it provides another approach with regards to data gathering rather than just looking at the data presented by the company or business. Ever since I work as a part time employee, it does help me with improve my communication skills and be able to listen what are those feedbacks that are coming from our client. And if it talks with the programming skills, I am quite good in programming using C++, Java, PHP, HTML, CSS, javascript and jQuery. A system analyst must have accounting or business skills in order to relate and understand concepts to which is only in business can be found and bring out ideas which is beneficial to both sides. So by having the skills and knowledge on both programming and business part, the system analyst can deliver the details to both parties (company and to the system developer) efficiently.
A system analyst must be observant. Every discovery as of today roots from observations and it is proven through history. So every detail which could contribute to the propose system counts. The systems analyst should know what is the environment to which the propose system is to be implemented. By being observant, also, a system analyst is able to distinguish aspects that are not commonly found in business relating it to information technology and vice versa. As for me, I somehow able to be concern about what is happening on the world especially on information technology area, being eager to learn and try new things that are created through the innovations in science and technology.
A system analyst must have curiosity and should be a critical thinker. It should be a couple of what if’s that should run on a system analyst’s mind. By being curious, a system analyst is discovering new ideas that may relevant to the analysis and design of the system. It also helps for better defining the problem and to come up with a solid solution of the problem. A system analyst must be able to decide up to the most difficult decisions that may come up during the system’s development; it may be related to the system being designed or to the team in short a system analyst must have a common sense and good understanding on what is happen around him or her. An example of it is when a system analyst decides what approach to take in system development, the system analyst must weight all the possibilities that would affect the propose system during its development and implementation. It is very critical because once you started it wrong it is very hard to correct it in the middle way, and could be the only option to correct it is to rebuild the system design which is very expensive in terms of time and resources. As for me, even since is stated programming when I was still first year, I am always curious to what will happen in a piece of code in a program and what are possible problems that may arise with that piece of code. I assume all possible outcomes in a certain function or process that the code will do in order to formulate and build strategies that will help me in programming. One must be out of his or her box and take the risk to pursuit greater learnings and knowledge.
A system analyst must be a team player. “No one is an island, no one stands alone” as a song tells. A system could not be a success without its sub systems, same through with the system developer team. There should be a good work relationship within the team so that which member could deliver its assigned task accordingly. A system analyst must have a strong sense of leadership to set up the team to the right track and to be able to succeed whatever task is given to each one of them. As a system analyst, one must guide its team throughout the system development. When I was working part time, being a team player greatly improves not only our individual task but also brings the team into success. There is no solo play when it comes in system development, all must collaborate and share their ideas and point of view that may help them in working with the system in general. A system analyst must motivate its teammates especially on those times in system development that is very frustrating. It is not bad to show your weak side but one should show strength to keep the team from falling down. In my work, most of the time, we are pressured and more likely prone to sermons but after the day our supervisor would tells us that it is only a part of our job and in order for us to be more productive.
As a system analyst, he or she must separate work from is personal problems, professionalism in order words. It is not good to worry its personal problems when he or she is working. One should be able to focus itself to be able to deliver its full knowledge and ideas for the system’s development and to be a good model to the rest of the team. When I was working as a part time employee, it can’t be avoided that there are problems that arises throughout the work progress, but I manage to focus myself to my work even though there are problems with regards to my personal life with or even with regards to my workmates. One must take initiative in order carry or deliver his or her work effectively. Act one to be one, so one should embody the job as a system analyst to become one.
A system analyst must aim for the betterment of the business where the system is to be implemented. The main purpose of the system designed is to solve the problem that exist and set forward the business from where it is today and to what it will become in the future. A system analyst should be a problem solver and not a problem giver. Base on experience, it always comes in my mind that my work should beneficial to our clients and not only satisfy their needs but also to improve their working capabilities. It should be one of the main objectives of a system analyst to raise the quality of business with the use of technology and to make it globally competitive and it makes a clear goal for the system analyst and its team to accomplish its task.
A system analyst must be optimistic and patient. Most commonly, it is impossible for a system to be finish for at least a month so therefore a system analyst should build up patience especially on those phases in system development that requires repetitions. A system analyst must not give in into frustration for it could not only affect his/her performance but also to his/her team mates as well. A system analyst should think about the positive results that come up throughout the system development cycle which leads in finishing the work despite of adversaries the team or the analyst faces. In my side, this is the characteristic that greatly needs to be improved. Nobody wants wait for long but it should not be in the case when you are a system analyst, one should extend its patients in order to deliver the project efficiently and effectively. Lack of patient causes burst of anger and frustration which must not be in the characteristic of a system analyst. With regards to patient and being optimistic, there is no better training ground than University of Southeastern Philippines especially during enrollment period. During that period, if the student wants to be enrolled, he or she must go to school early and fall in line that always reaches up to the second floor of the College of Arts and Sciences building and arrives at the window when it is lunch break. While in other scenario, students in USeP during end of the semester are still very optimistic when it comes with their grades especially when they failed. You can still see the smiles in the student’s faces and even cracks jokes to uplift their classmates and you can always hear students saying, “Ok rana bay, naa pay next year, kaya pa lagi na”. Being optimistic is one of the characteristics of USePians so it is not impossible for the students in Institute of Computing to become a good system analyst.
A system analyst should be self sacrificing. It is not the idea that one should give its full attention to the system development and its other components but to give it enough time to finish it. In this characteristic, time is the most crucial resource that should be use efficiently. A system analyst must not think on the things what could only be beneficial to her or himself, he or she must also thinks about his or her teammates and his or hers project recipients. And as much as possible and it is reasonable, a system analyst should be available when he or she is needed by the team or by the company.
A system analyst must be excellence driven. A system analyst must not be contented only to what is average or good enough, it should be the best that should defines the system at its implementation and design. By being excellence driven, the system analyst uplifts the standard of the business competitiveness in this modern world. It was always in my mind to accomplish the task in which I am good at with excellence because in my own perspective, since I was able to do the task and I am good at it, I must do it with my full effort and passion and I consider those who work just to satisfy the given requirement as lazy persons. It comes with the concept that if you could do it, why would do it with your full effort. Ever since when I was working, I always do my task in the way that my boss or supervisor would be pleased and they do acknowledge it. One should love and enjoy its work or task in order to bring excellence on it as a result and it brings the feeling of happiness and contentment in itself. But despite of all of the acknowledgement and recognition one must always be humble and keeps its feet on the ground otherwise the time will come that one will fall flat on the ground and could not stand back.
A system analyst must have values. It is the characteristic that could be applied only to work but also to one self as person. Knowledge can be easily disregarded if one does not have values. It does not make any sense to others what you are doing because it will be covered with negative impressions and feedbacks. It is not bad about being true to one self but if it does not coincide with the fundamentals of values it will out that way. There are ethical standards that are present as of today that we should follow it otherwise we are bad in the looks of other and it would not help us to grow. Take for an example, if one wants to apply as an on-the-job trainee in a company; he or she must show values to the human resource person like answering politely and use appropriate words to the questions that are ask to him or her.
A system analyst must have integrity. As a system analyst, one must protect the data that was provided by the company or organization for it may contains important information’s that should only be available to those who belong in the company. It is unethical for a system analyst to expose information of the company especially to its co competitors. A system analyst must not break the trust that the company has given to it either there is a contract or none. By having integrity, a system analyst uplifts the credibility not only to him or herself but also to his or her teammates. It’s not just having integrity for nothing, if you have integrity the company or business notice that it will help the system analyst to continue it job by recommendations and promotions or even to those who are just starting as a system analyst to be absorb and work in the company or in the business.
A system analyst should be flexible and prepared in the rapid change of technology. A system analyst should have a holistic approach, must have greater view of the system under development in order to help a lot in understanding cases that might not be understood by the team is one of the skills needed by the system analysts to come up a better system at near future not only that a system analyst should be systematic in approach, a philosophical side might helpful in finding solution in a systematic manner. It is a mixture of philosophical views and technical aspects that makes a good system analyst. As to what is said by in a quotation, “The only constant in this world is change” so a system analyst must think ahead and foresee possible changes in technology trends.
And lastly as I could think, a system analyst must be wise in using technology. A system analyst should be mindful of the requirements that a system should have. For an instance, the company wants to connect its entire department to a shared network. For this problem, there are many ways to connect the entire department. In hardware part, the connection could be wired or wireless, either to use a router or a switch, etc. a system analyst should provide projects or solutions that are not only good for one to two years range because technology as of today is rapidly changing.

Characteristics I Have as a Good System Analyst

Based on my learning in the discussion we had in Systems Analysis and Design talking about the topic, The World of The Information System Analyst. Inside this topic I learn about, what is as System Analyst? What are the roles of a System Analyst? What are the characteristics of a System Analyst? Learning about this things arrive me at a simple question asking myself, do I have these kind of characteristics, and do I have the capability to be a System Analyst? Nowadays some of the organization depends on computer and information technology to conduct business and to perform specific functions to make their task easier and to lessen the number of their employees. A company hires a System Analyst to help them use their technology effectively and to examine what are the possible changes to be done to make their technology more efficient and useful.

What is A System Analyst?

We all know that System Analyst is the one that investigates and analyze the existing system or the possible system an organization could have. System Analyst is the one responsible in making the plan strategy more capable of making the project being effective and efficient. As we know the major role of a System Analyst in a project team is System Analyst works primarily for an information system. System Analyst should interact with other people because it is the only way that they would know the capability of their employees. We all know that a System Analyst is expert in computer and System Analyst is very professional in investigating different kinds of situation.

Skills on being A System Analyst

As our lesson goes further, I learn that being a System Analyst is not an easy job. Being a system analyst, you should learn how to talk to the people and know what are their needs and concerns. Being a System Analyst is that we all should research, plan, coordinate and recommend other software’s that will help or meet the organizations requirements. System Analyst has so many things to do, some of them are writing technical or methodological requirements from a critical phase, and also after that, System Analyst should cooperate with the designers or developers in order to fix and avoid system bugs. System Analyst is the one capable of testing the system, and it is also the one that deploys the system and determines the flow of the system. In our discussion I have learned, how to identify the three major skills of chapter 1.

1) Technical and Skills

When you are a system analyst you should be able to become a technical type of person, it simply means that you should know about computers, you should also know the easiest part of the computer that is very useful of becoming a system analyst and also the knowledge of computer in terms of peripheral devices(hardware), communication networks and connectivity, database and database management systems (DBMS), programming languages ( for example, VB.NET or Java), operating systems and utilities, software productivity packages, integrated development environment (IDEs) for programming languages, and CASE tools, testing documentation support, reverse engineering, configuration management, project planning, system analysis, systems design, database design, network design, construction, implementation, systems support. When we say peripheral devices, we should have the knowledge of computers especially in hardware’s, it is one of the basic requirements of a system analyst, because system analyst not only deals with software but also it deals with hardware, when we talk about communication networks and connectivity, system analyst must think that an organization is compose of different or lots of department and branches and a system analyst must ensure that this organization will be connected to each other. Becoming a system analyst always deals with data and processes it to make it as an info, and with this data it can formulate an idea that will help, in order to create an efficient system and also we all know that being a system analyst does not require to be a computer programmer however a system analyst must have a little knowledge of computer programming, because it enables the system analyst to decide whether this programming language is capable of making this system, and also some of the companies now have only one system analysis that can develop a system, even if programming language is not necessary but still having a basic knowledge in programming is still an advantage in the world of IT technology. And also in creating a system we should always consider our operating systems and utilities, it is important to know our computer in order to install the proper operating systems that could run our system. And also being a system analyst we should know the software we are using in making the system for us to know the capacity of our system, it will enable us to set some limitations and scope in the system we are making. It is very important as a systems analyst to plan first and a systems analyst should how to plan well in able to have a good start and also a systems analyst should know how to make database designs because database designs will determine the capacity of work to be done and also a knowledge of network design to avoid traffics and delays and also the most important thing is that a system analyst should know how to implement or construct and has the time to support the system.

2) Business knowledge and skill

A Systems Analyst’ most important task is to solve business problems, thus he/she should know the business functions performed by the organization. Some of these are:
• Business functions performed by organization
- It is one of the important task of a system analyst is to know the business functions performed by the organization, for example it is important to know what kinds of business functions an employee is doing, because it enables the systems analyst to analyze well what is the function the system lacks.
• Strategies, plans, traditions, and values of the organization
- Being a systems analyst is all about investigating the current system of some organization in order to improve it for the greater good of the company. A systems analyst, should know all the plans or goals of the organization because it is the most important job of a systems analyst to know what he/she is working on and also by knowing the strategies and the traditions of the organization will help him or her to find the best way in improving the system used by the organization.
• Organizational Structure
- In starting an investigation, a systems analyst should know the organizational structure because it enables the analyst to be more precise and accurate of what he/she is doing. Organizational structure serves as the flow chart of an organization.
• Organizational management techniques
- Organizational management is the lifeblood of any company or group. Being a systems analyst, it is important to know the lifeblood of the company in order to understand well what the needs of the company are. OMT is the methods used to manage the company's daily activities, motivate employees to produce at a high level and guide the company's future path, by knowing all these a systems analyst can simply determine what is the thing that the people in the organization wants. Understanding successful organizational techniques are important to effective management. The first thing to keep in mind is that it helps to understand multiple methods to the several techniques so the approach can be adapted for any given situation.
• Functional work processes
- It is important for a system analyst to know the whole process done by organization or the business flow and the different functions happening because as I’ve mentioned earlier it enables the systems analyst to analyze well what the system really lacks.

3) People Knowledge and Skills

A systems analyst need to understand important things regarding the people. Some of these are:
• Think
- It is very important that a systems analyst should know what do people are thinking because it will help or it is a guide to know what does the people really wants and a systems analyst must understand what their needs are.



• Learn
- It is important that a systems analyst should learn from the people around because learning in line with teaching the people to will create a good bond to the system and the people using it.
• React to Change
- It is important that a systems analyst would realize that the people will surely react to the change, and a systems analyst must analyze well the system and make sure that the system can be easily adopt, it is the role of a systems analyst to realize that.
• Communicate
- A systems analyst must communicate well to the people because it will help an analyst to gather more information and the people will have a trust to tell all the data he/she needs from them, and also by communicating well, an analyst can understand the complexity of the employees doing. It is important to make sure that an analyst must be good in communicating in order to motivate people and also provide necessary support
• Work
- An analyst should know what kind of work the people are doing in order so that they can easily adapt to the changes.

Additional Skills that a systems analyst should have:

Hard and Soft Skills
Hard skills are the skills in technical areas such as database design, programming, and telecommunication. Soft skills are the skills in nontechnical areas such as interviewing, team management, and leadership.

Characteristics of a Good Systems Analyst

A good systems analyst requires so many characteristics. An analyst must be good at planning in order to plan the system well, good at investigating or analyzing in order to arrange the system and to create a good one, must be good in communicating to other, must willing to take risk, must be a good leader and a team mate, a systems analyst must be patient and understandable, hardworking, good at observing, responsible in his/her work and also to top of it all must be good at business because a work of a systems analyst is to create a new system that could help the company and to lessen their work. And also good systems must easily get along to the people and must be a good listener and be able to react to what people say. And also analyst must be good at technologies.

Me as a Good Systems Analyst

After all I learned from above I’ve come up with a conclusion that the characteristics I have as a systems analyst are first I know how to plan, when I was at my younger age I used to plan all the things I want to make for example there are things that don’t need planning but for me I want to plan how to make these things in a shorter time for example in programming every program has so many algorithms but I am planning to find a way to create a shorter and easiest one, Another characteristics I have is I am good strategists in some ways, for example I play computer games, I think playing some of the computer games makes you a good strategists because when I am playing I will find a way to win, I will find a way to be strong and I will find a way to survive and also I like things that needs analyzing, I think one of my characteristics as good systems analyst is I am good at analyzing on some things, for example in programming, making a program requires knowledge and ability to analyze the problem well and for the years I’ve studied in USEP I think I become a good analyzer because it is easy for me now to analyze complicated things and find a way to solve it. You know when I analyze, even the smallest part of the problem, I analyze it, it makes me ask question what, why, who, when, where, how and also when I analyze I think above the time, I always think to the possible outcome or for example in programming, When I analyze the problem, I will determine first what are the possible bugs that this program can encounter and with that I can easily solve the problem. I think I’ve got good sense of analysis. And one characteristic I possess also is I am good at facing my problem or I mean I can deal with problems easily, for how many years I lived in this world, I’ve encounter so many problems, and dealing with this problems is not a problem to me now because I learn every time a problem comes to me, as the problem comes the more I know how to solve them, I use to solve many problems specially at school specially in programming, when the problem comes I don’t usually think of it, I usually think of the solution to it, that’s why for how many year I am good at dealing with problems. I’m also a good observer; I observe to the people behind me, I always observe to the things that people are doing, I think I am a good observer because when I observe I can easily find the difference between the things I observe I can easily comment and make an opinion on it, and also I can easily understand what is lacking to the thing I observe. And one important thing I have as a good systems analyst is I like to ask questions, because for me every question I ask is every answer I learn. Because of this attitude I became a better person now, asking so many questions before put me in a good situation right now, I don’t find asking questions as a sign of a lack of knowledge, because asking question puts you into the conclusion of someone you want to learn. As for me now, I’m still a student I’ve got so much to learn to become a really a good systems analyst, I will study hard and I will try my best to be a good analyst. I know it is not an easy task but every task has solutions or a way to solve it or to achieve it. I will not lose hope no matter what, no matter what problems will come I will become one of the best, but for now I’m still a student I will enjoy every day, I will always remember everything I learn.

Conclusion

To sum it all, to be a good systems analyst requires years of hard work and patience. Being a systems analyst is life time achievement that you need to be proud of. It is a thing that I can bring to the rest of your lives. All the characteristics I’ve mentioned is the me as a good systems analyst, although I know that it is not enough but the time is unlimited, I can practice every day a be a good one someday.