Assignment 3 (Due: December 14, 2011, before 01:00pm)

Discuss the role of a systems analyst as a project manager. (at least one thousand words) .... you need to interview an analyst/project manager ..attach evidences ..

Revised...

Name: Valle, Patrick Duane D.
Course/yr.: BSCS III

Assessment 3

“The role of system analyst as a project manager”


In a group, there must be a leader that govern the group in order to have organization. To be an effective leader, you must have a leadership skills and leader is not only about commanding the members but he must also be a good follower. To be a project manager is not easy because they plays an important role for the success of the project.

In order to understand the role of a system analyst as a project manager, we need to go out, explore and interview people that has a deeper knowledge about being a project manager. We interview Ma’am Sharon Lei M. Molantas which is a project manager of City Information Technology Center(CITC) of Davao City Hall. She graduated at AMA(1994) and previously, she went to Australia to enhance her skill in system analysis. Ma’am Sharon is more than 15 years in service and we can see that they are one of the best in Davao city. She and her team also develop some system in city hall which I already said in the previous assessment and they are Infrastructure Project Monitoring System, Scholarship Databank System ,Integrated Infrastructure Permit System, City Public Assistance Mgt. System, Attendance Mgt. System, Motorized Tricycle Franchising, Davao City Informal Settlers Profile and others.

To be a project manager is not easy and it requires a leadership skill. Leadership skill is a skill that able the leader to govern the group effectively. He/she must know how to discipline his/her group and he also need to know how to lead them. You also need to have a managing skills in order to organize the work. Leadership is the key to have a successful output. When you will be appoint as a leader, you need to accept it with all your heart because if you don’t feel to be a leader or manager, you will not be effective as a leader. Leadership will be effective if the leader know how to follow. If you will be a leader, be a good follower so that your member will respect you not only because you are a leader but also they will respect you as a person. I can say that the main role of a system analyst as a leader is to lead and to correct.

Manager is not only to govern the people or the member. Another role of a manager is to insure the success of the project. If there is no manager to govern the member, the chance to achieve success is lower that those who have manager. The manager is very useful especially if you have a big and complicated project. Just imagine a school without a principal or director, it will really not work

To be a project manager, you may or may not be involve in the coding part of the system. It will depend on the situation of the project because there is an instances that will not participate in the coding part of the system so that the manager can focus his/her attention to the member of the group. Because of the focus of a manager, he/she will be effective at work and in the project. If the project is just small and you just have a few members, the manager can participate in the coding part so that the project will be finish at the deadline.

One role of the system analyst as a project manager that I like the most is that manager act as a shield to its member. We can’t be perfect every time and there will a point during your development time, some of your member can make mistake and your department will be blame for the damage that has been done. The manager now will act as a shield to its member not just to get sympathy and respect but because you need to understand that you are the man in charge and responsible for your member. Protection is one of the things that manager can give to its member so for this, you can see that the role of a system manager is not easy. You need to be a hero sometimes and you also need to be a bad guy sometimes because another role of a manager is to discipline and for that, you don’t have to tolerate you member always.

Another role of a system manager is to minimize pressure without sacrificing too much of the resources. Almost all man with a pressure in their chest, they can’t be effective during the operation. They can commit errors compare to the situation that they are calm. To minimize pressure as possible will allow the member to have a good and accurate output. The manager is not always concern about how fast the system to take in order to make it finish but you need to consider also the quality of the system. The less the quality of the system, the more problem that may occur but if you will also consider always to put them in a way that they are so relax then it can be bad also. We need to take note that time is money and the longer the duration of making the system will be, the higher the cost that you can get. In short, you need to balance things and that’s another role of a system manager. Balancing every situation is not that easy because you need to consider a lot of things like time over quality and cost over the duration. Without a balance is impractical to do because if you are strong to this then you will be weak at any aspect but if you balance the things around you, you can be strong in some manner and you will cover your weak aspect or weak spot of the situation.

To motivate your member is also a role of system manager. The system analyst is always under pressure and the role of system manager, he/she will prevent them from falling and surrendering because of the pressure and for that, you need to motivate and encourage them and push them so that they will never quit. In developing system, both mind, body and emotion plays a big role in making project and the task of system manager is to prepare the mind, body and emotion from collapsing.

If you are a system analyst, you need to identify your member and that’s another role of a system analyst as a project manager. If you know your member then you can understand them and predict their reaction and if you identify them then it will be easy for you to govern them.

To sum it up, being a system analyst as a project manager is not that easy. You need to consider your member in every aspect of development, you need to have a good leadership, a great motivator, defender and a good follower. To be a project manager is about controlling power and not abusing them.

The role of a systems analyst as a project manager
What is an analyst?
According to the Business Dictionary, an analyst is the person who reviews and examines data or information for a specific area. For example, a financial analyst looks into the economic and financial information associated with stocks and other securities and a system analyst who guides through the development of an information system. In this paper, we will discuss more about the system analyst as a kind of analyst, and referring it as a project manager. Then, we will discuss about the project manager and the relation of it to a system analyst.
What is a system analyst?
Based on the definition on TechTerm.com, a 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.
Role of system analyst
The Role of System Analyst differs from organization to organization. Most common responsibilities of System Analyst are following:
 Help the 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.
 Ensures that the requirements set forth by the business are captured and documented correctly before the solution is developed and implemented.
 Provide system-level support of multi-user operating systems, hardware and software tools, including installation, configuration, maintenance, and support.
 Captures and document the requirements needed to implement a solution to meet the clients' business needs.
 Making sure that the overall project successfully meets the client needs.
 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
 Developing an understanding of how present and future business needs will impact the solution
 Identifying the sources of requirements and understanding how roles help determine the relative validity of requirements
 Developing a Requirements Management Plan and disseminating the Plan to all stakeholders
 Identifying and documenting all business, technical, product and process requirements
 Working with the client to prioritize and rationalize the requirements
 Helping to define acceptance criteria for completion of the solution
In assumption, a system analyst is the one who was a part of the business operation and worked with Information Technology to improve the quality of the products and services being delivered by the IT organization to someone who apart from gathering Business Requirements, also assists in Integration and Acceptance Testing, supports the development of training and implementation material, participates in the implementation, and provides post-implementation support. Business Analysts today are also involved in the development of project plans and often provide project management skills when these skills are not available in other project participants.
We already discussed about the system analyst, now let’s discuss about the project manager and his role.
What is project manager?
• A project manager is a professional in the field of project management.
• A project manager is the person responsible for accomplishing the stated project objectives
• A project manager is often a client representative and has to determine and implement the exact needs of the client, based on knowledge of the firm they are representing.
Role of project manager
The role & responsibilities of a Project Manager is little complex and needs to be explained elaborately in clear terms for each project. Let me list down few important roles & responsibilities of a Project Manager.
• Project managers can have the responsibility of the planning, execution and closing of any project.
• Project managers responsible in creating a clear and attainable project objectives, building the project requirements, and managing the triple constraint for projects, which are cost, time, and quality
• The Project Manager is responsible for defining the organizational structure of the project and for interfacing with the functional organizations.
• The Project Manager directs and controls all work performed within the framework of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
• The Project Manager is involved with the planning, controlling and monitoring, and also managing and directing the assigned project resources to best meet project objectives.
• The Project Manager makes final decisions on tradeoff studies, and task changes within the contract statement of work.
• The Project Manager is responsible for daily communications and formal project reviews with both the customer and his/her senior management.
• The Project Manager is the person responsible for accomplishing the project objectives within the constraints of the project. He is responsible for the outcome (success or failure) of the project.
• The Project Manager examines the organizational culture and determines whether project management is recognized as a valid role with accountability and authority for managing the project.
• The Project Manager collects metrics data (such as baseline, actual values for costs, schedule, work in progress, and work completed) & reports on project progress and other project specific information to stakeholders.
• The Project Manager is responsible for identifying, monitoring, and responding to risk.
System analyst as a Project manager
As define on the earlier part of this paper, system analyst is one who examines the problem and makes suitable solutions and the project manager is the one who implement the project plans and do monitor on the progress of the project and responsible for the any outcome of the project. In some cases, system analyst and project manager could be consider as one or referring to a same group, it could be a system analyst and act as a project manager on the same time. In addition, the system analyst and project manager has similar functions and responsibilities in accomplishing a project.
Interview
In relation, I together with Kevin Mendez, and Patrick Duane Valle interviewed two system analysts namely Sir Arial Pabelona from USEP and Sir Mark Fernandez of Digital Interface Incorporated. Thanks to them on giving an idea about the relation of system analyst and project manager.

Evidence:









References:
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/analyst.html
http://www.techterms.com/definition/systemanalyst
http://www.slideshare.net/infinityrulz/roles-responsibilities-of-system-analyst-3043450
http://leadershipchamps.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/roles-and-responsibilities-of-a-project-manager/
http://guidebook.dcma.mil/79/evhelp/pmgr.htm

A SYSTEM ANALYST AS A PROJECT MANAGER

“With great power comes with great responsibility”, as to what is said by Benjamin Parker in the movie Spiderman and without any objection it is really true. As of today those how are holding high positions are those who has the power and has the ability to change what is as of today, it may for the betterment of all or it may be for the worst and devastating others. In the field of information technology were it is changing rapidly, those who can adapt and use it has the power or the ability to change how we look and live life within the scope of technology. In medicine and health, faster detection and prevention of cancer, better research and testing results through simulations and data gathering and up-to-date information distribution about new viruses and diseases. In business, innovative and competitive business through the use of multimedia and graphics design, effective statistical analysis on market and client feedbacks and fast information processing and distribution through wired and wireless media. And in our daily lives is to make our everyday life easy and more productive.
In the field of information system, it all begins with the one who has the knowledge about systems and business efficiently-a system analyst. System analysts analyze the flow of a scenario into which a certain problem occurs and creates solutions which could be a project or system with the use of technology and since it was the system analyst idea so he or she is the project manager of it. So what is a project manager? A project manager is a professional in the field of project management. Project managers can have the responsibility of the planning, execution and closing of any project, typically relating to construction industry, architecture, aerospace and defence, computer networking, telecommunications or software development [1]. As a project manager the system analyst must have the following skills and characteristics:
A project manager knows how to use technology efficiently. We are not limited with our resources as of today and even in the future because of the rapid innovations in technology and a project manager should be able to look and use good and efficient products of technology through the completion of the system or project. For example, what kind of database management system or DBMS to use. What kind connection should be use, is it wired or wireless. A project manager is in charge of choosing what kind of technology to use. If also that there are specification or scope that the business gives for an instance that the business not that big, a project manager is able to manage what was given by the client.
A project manager should have background in software development [1]. It is given that a system analyst is a project manager, he or she has knowledge on system development life cycle or SDLC. He or she must able to manage resources that are required in every phase throughout the cycle.
A project manager should be team player. A system analyst as a project manager does not just focus on the system development but also he or she should manage the team whom he or she is working with. He or she must also able to distribute the work load equally to its teammates and able to assigned those person on where and what they are good at in system development. He or she also should motivate its teammates through critical times like on the development phase.
A project manager should know how to manage time. Time is the most precious resource that every project manager has. Even though a project manager is good in managing its task and its team and other stuff if he or she cannot manage its time or the time it takes for the project development it can’t result into a good project or system. And since in system development is sequential if on the previous phases fails to produce results on time it will cause delays and delays causes’ pressure on to the developing team for the reason that the team will try to cope up with the time lost or else it will result into much greater delay.
A project manager should be responsible. He or she as a system analyst and as a project manager, he or she is responsible for everything that is in the system from it development up to its implementation. As noted by Michele Berrie [2] and mentioned in Wikipedia.com [1], responsibilities of a project manager vary depending on the business or the company but there responsibilities that are common to all project manager and those are:
• Developing the project plan – Since that the project manager does the research and analysis on the problem he or she should come up a plan on how the team develop the system.
• Managing the project stakeholders – The project manager serves as the middle man between the client and the IT professionals.
• Managing the project team – The project manager is also the head of the developing team and he or she should assist the team through project completion.
• Managing the project risk – It can’t be avoided that there are risk to take in every solution that come up but there are ways that it can be dealt with. There are some treatments that a project manager can take, either to avoid it, prevent it, reduce it, share it or just accept it [3]. A project manager should be knowledgeable on how they manage the risk, it the project’s managers call.
• Managing the project schedule – The project manager should manage the time and work load of its teammates and when each deliverables can be delivered.
• Managing the project budget – It takes for a project manager not only to be good in system analysis but also good in accounting. Be able to budget not only financial resources but also manpower and time.
• Managing the project conflicts – It does not always the situation that all is going as plan. So as a project manager, he or she must have alternative plans if there are conflicts throughout the project development.
A system analyst as a project manager is not an easy job. One should be able to have an open mind and should be responsible enough not only to its teammates but also to the business or company for they dictate the future of it by providing the solutions that can set the business up or down. And I believe that it takes a lot of experience to be a one effective project manager.

References:
1. Wikipedia – Project Manager
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_manager)
2. The Project Management Hut – Project Manager Responsibilities
(http://www.pmhut.com/project-manager-responsibilities)
3. Wikipedia – Risk Management
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_management)

Evidences:

editing.,

Before I mention something about what system analyst and its role in making and developing systems, I will first explain the words that construct it. The system according to oxford dictionary is a “complex whole; a set of things working together as a mechanism or interconnecting network; Human or animal body as a whole”. System, in software developer’s perspective and based on what I believe, is the collection of software application that the software developer’s made, and the collection of the software that was used that compose a system (computer system). Like in inventory system, the developers usually include report and checking functionality or application to the system.
System Analyst is the one that researches problems, plans solutions, recommends software and systems, and coordinates development to meet business or other requirements. They are also developing cost analysis, design considerations, and implementation time-lines. They do some research, observation, analysis, and recommendation of software and hardware specification, to make the work of the client more efficient and to make a low management cost.
Project Managers are the one that have the responsibility of the planning, execution, and closing of any project. So with this definition, the project manager is just in the general field while the system analyst is specific.
The role of the System Analyst as the role manager may vary depending on the software that he or she analyzes. To understand the role of the system analyst in detail, I am going to say it in step by step manner based on the interview that I’ve done with a system analyst. First, They usually ask people what they need their computers to do. Then they plan a computer system that can do those tasks well. A System may include many computers working together and different types of software and other tools.
After analysts understand what the system needs to do, they break down the task into small steps. They draw diagrams and charts to show how information will get into the computers, how that information will be processed, and how it will get to the people who need it. For example, analysts might decide how sales information will get into a store's computers and how the computer will add up the information in a way that makes it useful for store managers.
After analysts understand what the system needs to do, they break down the task into small steps. They draw diagrams and charts to show how information will get into the computers, how that information will be processed, and how it will get to the people who need it. For example, analysts might decide how sales information will get into a store's computers and how the computer will add up the information in a way that makes it useful for store managers.
Analysts experiment with different computer system plans. They try various tools and steps until they find the system that is fastest, easiest, and costs the least.
Next, analysts decide which computers, software, and tools to buy. They also tell computer programmers how to make any new software that is needed. They give the programmers step-by-step instructions. Some analysts help make the software, too.
The main job for some systems analysts is getting computers to work together. They connect them into a network. Analysts decide how to get information from one computer to another. Many help people get data from the Internet.
After planning a system, System analysts test it to make sure it works. Testing the system is part of the maintaining their implementations of their plan. They check to make sure that information is processed quickly and without mistakes. They also watch to see if the system is easy to use. Often, they have to change their plans to make the systems better. When they have changes, the system analyst as project manager will organize the members so that the implementation of the changes will be successful.
Computer systems analysts work in offices or computer labs. Some work from home. Working on a computer for a long time can give these workers eye, back, or wrist problems. Sometimes, these workers work long hours to get a project done on time. Analysts usually work as part of a team.
When doing a project, system analyst do as the project manager is that the system analyst will identify the task and build a work breakdown structure. System analyst is also the one that develop and formulate project schedule and recruit and train team members. Usually, system analyst develops a Gant chart in making and organizing schedule. As a project manager, the system analysts are the one that lead the member so that they can have the milestone and target of their work and organize the work of the member. The System analysts organize the members and make a workgroups and assign team to the workgroups. As a project manager, system analyst is the one that coordinates activities of the team members and sub teams. The system analyst is also the one that lead the communication between the members of the groups and initiate the team building. System analyst is the one that identify and asses project risks and system analyst is also the one that monitors and control project deliverables and milestone which includes verifying the quality of project deliverables. The system analyst as project manager is also the one that do the risk management and
The system analyst reports the project status and progress. System analyst, as project manager, is also the one that establish good working relationships with those who identify the needed system requirements or to the people who will use the system. The system analysts are the one that do interview and investigation about what are the needs of the user of the system. from that interview, they are the one that come up with a change or improvement. As project manager, system analyst is also the one that work directly with the client or to the project’s sponsor and to the other stakeholder. System analyst also does identifying resource needs and obtains resources.

Editing...

entry revision...

A system analyst is the person (or persons) systems analyst researches problems, plans solutions, recommends software and systems, and coordinates development to meet business to meet the request of the client. Also, the system analyst guides the development of the information system.

These are the list of the primary responsibilities of being a Systems Analyst :
1. Collect information to analyze and evaluate existing or proposed systems.
2. Research, plan, install, configure, troubleshoot, maintain and upgrade operating systems.
3. Research, plan, install, configure, troubleshoot, maintain and upgrade hardware and software interfaces with the operating system. Analyze and evaluate present
or proposed business procedures or problems to define data processing needs.
4. Prepare detailed flow charts and diagrams outlining systems capabilities and processes.
5. Research and recommend hardware and software development, purchase, and use.
6. Troubleshoot and resolve hardware, software, and connectivity problems, including user access and component configuration.
7. Select among authorized procedures and seek assistance when guidelines are inadequate, significant deviations are proposed, or when unanticipated problems
arise.
8. Record and maintain hardware and software inventories, site and/or server licensing, and user access and security.
9. Install, configure, and upgrade desktop hardware and peripherals to include; network cards, printers, modems, mice and add-in boards.
10. Work as a team member with other technical staff, such as networking to ensure connectivity and compatibility between systems.
11. Write and maintain system documentation.
12. Conduct technical research on system upgrades to determine feasibility, cost, time required, and compatibility with current system.
13. Maintain confidentiality with regard to the information being processed, stored or accessed by the network.
14. Document system problems and resolutions for future reference.


Role of System Analyst differs from organization to organization. Most common responsibilities of System Analyst are following:

1. System analysis: It includes system's study in order to get facts about business activity. It is about getting information and determining requirements. Here the
responsibility includes only requirement determination, not the design of the system.
2. System analysis and design: Here apart from the analysis work, Analyst is also responsible for the designing of the new system/application.
3. Systems analysis, design, and programming: Here Analyst is also required to perform as a programmer, where he actually writes the code to implement the design
of the proposed application.

With all the different responsibilities above mentioned that a system analyst must have. The system analyst requires to being a complex person with varied skills required at various stages of the life cycle. In addition to the technical know-how of the information system development a system analyst should also have the following knowledge.
Business knowledge: 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 businesses.
Interpersonal skills: Such skills are required at various stages of development process for interacting with the users and extracting the requirements out of them
Problem solving skills: A system analyst should have enough problem solving skills for defining the alternate solutions to the system and also for the problems
occurring at the various stages of the development process.

What does the project manager do?

A project manager is a professional in the field of project management. Project managers can have the responsibility of the planning, execution, and closing of any
project, typically relating to construction industry, architecture, computer networking, telecommunications or software development.

A project manager is the person accountable for accomplishing the stated project objectives. Key project management responsibilities include creating clear and
attainable project objectives, building the project requirements, and managing the triple constraint for projects, which are; cost, time, and quality.

A project manager is often a client representative and has to determine and implement the exact needs of the client, based on knowledge of the firm they are
representing. The ability to adapt to the various internal procedures of the contracting party, and to form close links with the nominated representatives, is essential in
ensuring that the key issues of cost, time, quality and above all, client satisfaction, can be realized.

These are the common responsibilities of a project manager: developing the project plan, managing the project stakeholders, managing the project team, managing the project risk, managing the project schedule, managing the project budget and managing the project conflicts.

Characteristics of a Project Manager

Obtusely the project manager like managing projects. When managing a project there are many considerations that they must considered and they are neutral about it. According to syntelinc.com these are the top five characteristics of a great project manager:

1. Interpersonal skills. The ability to manage people is vital. Project managers will ultimately be responsible for coordinating the efforts of the technical staff assigned to the project. It's crucial that they have the interpersonal and leadership skills to direct team members and keep them motivated and on track. They also need to be able to smoothly navigate through the tricky politics within and between the participating organizations.

2. Organizational skills. This key characteristic of great project managers is absolutely critical to keep projects on schedule and budget. The ability to assign resources, prioritize tasks, and keep tabs on the budget will ensure quality and impact the project's success.

3. Communication skills. The project manager is the main communication link between the business managers and technical team. His or her ability to clearly communicate with members of both groups is essential. He or she must be able to clearly communicate project objectives, challenges or problems, scope changes, and regular project status reports.

Communication skills become even more critical. Project managers must not only communicate with team members that may be on the other side of the world, they must do so in a way that makes the global nature of the project invisible to the client. It's an added challenge to try to effectively communicate between on-site and offshore staff. But an experienced offshore outsourcing project manager can do this with ease. In addition to global distance between personnel, he or she also needs to be aware of and address cultural differences.

4. Problem-solving skills. In every project, it's unexpected problems or challenges that drive everyone crazy. The project manager must be able to effectively handle these situations and mitigate risk so they don't get out of control.

5. Professional training. Look for project managers that have PMI's Project Management Professional (PMP®) training, the project management profession's most respected and globally recognized certification credential. To obtain PMP certification, an individual must satisfy education and experience requirements, agree and adhere to a Code of Professional Conduct, and pass the PMP Certification Examination.

It takes an extraordinary person to be able to bring all these characteristics together. But taking the time to thoroughly interview and check references to ensure you find someone with the above skills is important. Making sure your project manager has these skills will increase the chances of success on your next project. It is sometimes the case that project managers do not feel sufficiently empowered to manage and control the things/people they need to manage and control in order to be successful. This problem has a solution.

Output of our interview with Mr. Donald Alforque of Global Alliance in Motion Incorporated.

Mr. Alforque said that the A Systems Analyst as a Project Manager is involved with the planning, controlling and monitoring, and also managing and directing the assigned project resources to meet the project objectives or the goals of the client for the business or an organization. The System analyst as an a project manager controls and monitors project scope, time and cost or the quality of the system—in managing competing project requirements. He also examines the organizational culture and determines whether project management is recognized as a valid role with accountability and authority for managing the project.
[center]

Evidences:




References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_analyst
http://www.freetutes.com/systemanalysis/role-of-system-analyst.html
http://www.syntelinc.com/Internal.aspx?id=707
http://www.statefarm.com/about/careers/it/it_careers/proj_manager.htm

This assignment 3, defines what project manager is? Then basically, we did interview a system analyst so that our information here is the basis of our answers in this assessment. In general terms, he said that he must work with his responsibilities of executing, planning, and closing in any project, computer networking, and software or telecommunications development. By that definition according to the project manager, he is working in related branch in computer networking and software development because he is working in the information system development. Moreover, a project manager is also the responsible for accomplishing the stated project objectives. The key project management responsibilities include creating clear and attainable project objectives, building the project requirements, and managing the triple constraint for projects, which are cost, time, and quality which is also known as scope. In addition to that, a project manager is often a client representative and has to determine and implement the exact needs of the client, based on knowledge of the firm they are representing. The ability to adapt the procedures of the contracting party, and to form close links with the nominated representatives, is essential in ensuring that the key issues of cost, time, quality and above all, client satisfaction, can be realized. According to him, being a project manager is very hard and difficult for adapting that kind of issues and situations. Handling all those kinds of problems could be considered of being a good and effective project manager. For him, he could meet all those qualifications because he has the complex experience of being a project manager for a couple of years. Based on him, the term and title project manager has come to be used generically to describe anyone given responsibility to complete a project. However, it is more properly used to describe a person with full responsibility and the same level of authority required completing a project. He said that if a person does not have high levels of both responsibility and authority then they is better described as a project administrator, coordinator, facilitator or expeditor. Being a project manager is very essential in the IT business industry because they lead and handle the big project that was assigned to him. Project manager has many responsibilities to do their effectively and efficiently. However, there are many hindrance and obstacles when doing their jobs. For more information he had answered during the interview is that there are specific responsibilities of being a project manager like him. He said it varies depending on the industry, the company size, the company maturity, and the company culture. Yet, there are some responsibilities that are common to all project managers. First, he emphasized the responsibility of developing the project plan, managing the project stakeholder, managing the project team, managing the project risk, managing the project schedule, managing the project budget, and last but not the least managing the project conflicts.

Ms. Sharon Lei Lomantas is also a project manager in their team in City Information and Technology Center and a System Analyst. A project manager, according to Ms. Lomantas, is the one who organizes the task of every team member in the given project and the leader of the information system project of the company. Ms. Lomantas said that a project manager must have many experiences in handling a team in a project because of the complexity of t hat profession and for the reason that it is crucial in the hands, skills and characteristics of the project manager the successfulness of the project. As a project manager, he or she must have a high leadership skills for him or her to effectively guide and implement the necessary steps that a team must do in order to achieve the correct requirement that the client want to. And to be an effective leader, a project manager must had an experience before as a member in a team in a large project of a company because in that way, a project manager can fully understand the hardships, the necessary responsibilities of every team member, and every individual members of the team their skills and capabilities as how they must work their jobs in the project. As Ms. Sharon Lei Lomantas said, a project manager does not necessarily need to involve in programming task because it is a burden for a project manager to do that kind of task for the reason that he is the only leader in the team and he supervise all the task of every member in the team. The project manager only dictates to the every individual in the team their respective tasks but the project manager must know first the individual capabilities of the team members for him to correctly assign the important tasks in the project, and each member has individual task based on their capabilities because the project might fail if the project manager did not correctly assign the important tasks to the one who cannot fulfill the assign duty. The project manager also dictates to the team members on how to do all those tasks that they were assigned for them to really understand their main purpose in the project, and the project manager is the leader in the team and must lead the flow of the project. We had also interviewed Mr. Mark Fernandez who is working in Digital Interface, Inc., and he said that a project manager does not necessarily have a high IQ but the important is that he must be a critical thinker. A critical thinker in all aspect of the project, whether in financial, in resources, in management, and other related issues that may affect the development of the project. To be a project manager does not need to have a high IQ for the reason that managing a team in a project can be learned through experience and having an experienced to be a member in a team in the project especially if you are a system developer or a system analyst in the team, because those positions are very crucial in the success of the project. And if the project manager does not correctly assess and guide a system developer and system analyst there proper tasks that they must accomplish, there is a high possibility that a project may fail or maybe the deadline of the project is delay because of the slow development process of the project. A project manager, according Mr. Mark Fernandez, knows how to assess a problem that affecting the flow of the project, example in the delayed gathering of data of the system analyst. Because of the work of the system analyst is the foundation of the information system project. Mr. Mark Fernandez must always follow-up the deadline of the project for the client.

Interviewed person:
Ms. Sharon Lei Lomantas

We conducted an interview to the supervisor of the davao doctors hospital IT department last Saturday, December 9, 2011. At first, I was very excited to have a conversation with an system analyst but by then, I was got nervous when we reached the hospital. we asked a few questions and the conversation became more interesting. He said that, it is not that really hard to be a system analyst, if you love your what your doing then you never find it difficult. Being a system analyst, it always tries to figure out how to get involve with the computers to finish the work things done. They speak about business and some other establishments and organization that computers and software to buy, and then, they will choose how to get over those tools and techniques to work for the project together. Mainly, computer analyst always get their work by interviewing the certain people what their satisfaction and needs for their computers to well good enough. By then, they will plan a good computer system that can do those jobs and tasks well. A system can have many computers which are working together and use different kinds of applications and softwares, and other tools. By the time system analyst knows, understand and figure out what the system might need to do, they divide the task into small steps. Of course, they will draw some flow charts, diagrams to know well and understand how will the data and information can get into the computers, how that data will be processed, and then how it will make it to the people who needs it. Say for example, the particular system analyst may decide how the certain sales information will make into certain computer of a certain business and how it add up the data or information in a very useful way and gives an advantage for the store managers.
According to the person we interviewed, primarily System analyst experiment with the other different computer system strategy, they have methods, techniques, procedure to show their skills and abilities. They have to try a variety of steps and tools until they figure out the best system, which will be faster to use, easier to manipulate and of course, it least the cost. Then , analyst choose what and which computer specifications, the softwares and application they will used, the tools to buy, and other stuffs they needed on a certain project or system. They give the project programmers gradually steps and instructions on how the system or project will be efficiently done. Sometimes, some system analyst help in creating the software to use on that project too.
Mainly, the job of a system analyst, is making the particular computers to work on a same path together. Of course, they connect them in a good network. System analyst then decide how to get the certain information from these computer to another computer. He also said that google is a powerful tool to get information in getting things done. You can have all the data you want to make your system increase its efficiency and complied the client and customer’s satisfaction. After planning and preparation of a certain system, the system analyst examined it of course to make it sure that it really works. They double check to make sure that information and data is processed faster than the other one and mainly, without mistakes, bugs some other error might occur to the system they created. They also look for the system if it is user friendly and easy to use, and to find it by the clients and customers convenient for them, often , they must have to quickly change their preparations to make their system and project better than other one they planned. Most of the time, computer system analyst work in offices or might be as well as computer labs. Some work from home or so they called home based job. In working on these computer for a long time can make this certain analyst eye, back , or maybe wrist problems. Some of these workers work for very long time to get the project done which must be on time they supposed to finish.
He also pointed out, that being a software project manager can be of the same skills as they correspond to the other industries. Further than the skills which is basically associated with the customary project management in the industry such as constructing and manufacturing? Of course a software project manager can classically have an wide ranging background in software engineering and development. Most of the software project managers graduated and hold a degree in information technology, computer science, computer engineering, and other related field and can typically associated with the industry as a software developer. In a huge and great customary project management, prognostic techniques and methodology such as the waterfall model is often used on a certain system.

he give an emphasis his self as a project manager in the field of project management. He said that a project manager must have the knowledge and must responsible enough on how to plan, execute, and closing of that certain project. Certainly, we are to relate to industry of construction, networks of computers, the architecture, the software engineering or development. He said that a project manager is the person who is responsible for accomplishing the said affirmed project visions and objectives. The key project management responsibilities must take in creating sufficient, clear, attainable and achievable project visions and objectives, creating and manipulating the certain requirement of the system and projects, and managing the multi restraints for the system or project which are the money you invest for it, the time you spent in it, and of course the quality of work and the quality of the sytem which compromises your profession as a system analyst. It is often a customer or client representative and must determine and implement the correct needs and satisfaction of the customer or the client which is based on their knowledge of the firm they are use to represent.


evidences: (captured images link below)
http://lexus-sad.blogspot.com

Systems Analyst as a Project Manager
What is an 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. Systems Analyst is the one that determines the problem and identifies how to solve it.
What is a Project?
A project is a planned thing undertaking with a certain amount time; it is done by groups or a team and even individually. The real meaning of a project is it is a thing or a product that hasn’t existed before, so it means that a project sometimes is unique and if it is unique it means it has never been done before. Maybe it’s been done before but it is not exactly the same, maybe it is done with similar fashion. The main essence of a project is it has a start and an end and it is usually constrained by schedule and resource.
Why a Project Fails?
There are so many reasons why a project fails example of this reasons are incomplete or changing requirements, it means that a team is unable to decide what is the right thing to do or simply they don’t know their goals, another reason is limited user involvement, it means that when we make a system we should know the one that will use it if ever we don’t know we are not sure what are the function of the system that we will make, another reason is lack of executive support, we cannot deny the fact that we need a person that is good in decision-making or the one that administrate a team, another reason is lack of technical support, technical support is very important in making the project because it is the procedure on how we make the project, another reason also is poor project planning, in making a system we should plan it well because it is the first step on making the project, when this planning lacks the remaining will be affected also, another reason again is unclear objectives, any person who don’t know the real objective of what are they doing cannot proceed with the project, and also another reason why the project fails is unclear resources, resources is very important in making a project because it serves as a guide, it serves as an idea for example in when we talk about resources in a business, it serves as the funds or the capital of the business.
Reasons Why the Project Successes
If there’s a reason why the project fails there is also a reason why the project successes one reason is clear system requirement definitions, when we know the system requirements, we can set our focus to this requirements, because it is the only thing the user wants and if we know this there will be a great chance of success, another reason also is substantial user involvement, it is important from time to time the user tests the capability of a system in order for the developer to know what to do next or what to avoid, with this a large chance of success awaits, another reason is support from upper management, it is very important when we make a system that we have a support from the upper management it is the same as our parents that bring us to school that’s why we can study, with a proper support the project will be a sure success, and also the reason why the project successes is thorough and detailed project plans, any developer wants that the project plan will be clear because it is the only thing that serves as their guide with a proper project plan a proper way of thinking and a proper way of making the project and another important reason is realistic work schedules and milestones, when making a project it is very important that we have a work schedules and milestones because its serves as a sign and also a guide.
Systems Analyst as a Project Manager
As I’ve interviewed one of the systems analyst, I realize being a systems analyst is not an easy job; it takes a lot of skills. He says being a project manager is very challenging because a project manager serves as the brain of the team; a project manager is like the stem of the tree when you cut it the tree will fall. He says that project manager has so many responsibilities, first of all he says that the project manager is the one that identifies the task and also the one that create the work schedules and also being a project manager you’re the one that recruit members and when you recruit member you make sure that these members are capable of what they are doing, project manager is the one that assigns the different task to the members, a project manager is the one that coordinate activities of members and sub teams. The main role of the project manager is it the one that reports the status and progress to the clients and also the difficult part of being a project manager is it is the one that establishes good working relationships with those who identify the needed system requirements specially with the people who uses the system.
Conclusion
With the things that I observe being a systems analyst is a very difficult task what more if an analyst is the project manager. Being a project manager is like spider man “With great powers comes with great responsibilities” and also when the project manager fails all fails.

Yesterday, me and Alexander Manlod went to Discuss the role of a systems analyst as a project manager with Mr. Anghelito Abierra, Clinical System Analyst/Project Manager of Davao Doctors Hospital located at 118 E. Quirino Avenue Davao City,Philippines together with our friend Darrel Abello. We arrived there at exactly 3:00p.m. We see him at his office in Information Technology Department of the hospital at the ground floor of their building.
Mr. Anghelito Abierra is a System Analyst of the hospital and at the same time, he is also a Project Management. As systems analyst, Mr. Anghelito Abierra researches problems, plans solutions, recommends software and systems, and coordinates development to meet business or other requirements. They will be familiar with multiple varieties of programming languages, operating systems, and computer hardware platforms. Because they often write user requests into technical specifications, the systems analysts are the liaisons between vendors and information technology professionals. They may be responsible for developing cost analysis, design considerations, and implementation time-lines.
Mr. Anghelito Abierra is also a professional in the field of project management. He can have the responsibility of the planning, execution, and closing of any project, typically relating to construction industry, engineering, architecture, computing, and telecommunications. Many other fields in the production engineering and design engineering and heavy industrial have project managers. A project manager is the person accountable for accomplishing the stated project objectives. Key project management responsibilities include creating clear and attainable project objectives, building the project requirements, and managing the triple constraint for projects, which is cost, time, and scope.
The Program (Investment) life cycle integrates the project management and system development life cycles with the activities directly associated with system deployment and operation. By design, system operation management and related activities occur after the project is complete and are not documented within this guide (see an example of an IT project management framework).

System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) consist of the following steps:
• Project planning – initiate, ensure feasibility, plan schedule, obtain approval for project
• Analysis – understand business needs and processing requirements
• Design – define solution system based on requirements and analysis decisions
• Implementation – construct, test, train users, and install new system
• Support – keep system running and improve
• For example, in the US United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) the program management life cycle is depicted and describe in the overall VA IT PROJECT MANAGEMENT FRAMEwork to address the integration of OMB Exhibit 300 project (investment) management activities and the overall project budgeting process. The VA IT Project Management Framework diagram illustrates Milestone 4 which occurs following the deployment of a system and the closing of the project. The project closing phase activities at the VA continues through system deployment and into system operation for the purpose of illustrating and describing the system activities the VA considers part of the project. The figure illustrates the actions and associated artifacts of the VA IT Project and Program Management process.

As a discipline, Project Management developed from several fields of application including civil construction, engineering, and heavy defense activity. Two forefathers of project management are Henry Gantt, called the father of planning and control techniques, who is famous for his use of the Gantt chart as a project management tool; and Henri Fayol for his creation of the 5 management functions which form the foundation of the body of knowledge associated with project and program management. Both Gantt and Fayol were students of Frederick Winslow Taylor's theories of scientific management. His work is the forerunner to modern project management tools including work breakdown structure (WBS) and resource allocation.
Project Management has body of knowledge, the following is are it’s component.
• Scope management
 Control functions included in system
 Control scope of work done by team
• Time management
 Build detailed schedule of all project tasks
 Monitor progress of project against milestones
• Cost management
 Calculate initial cost/benefit analysis
 Monitor expenses
• Quality management
 Establish quality plan and control activities for each project phase
• Human resource management
 Recruit and hire project team members
 Train, motivate, team build
• Communications management
 Identify stakeholders and their communications
 Establish team communications
• Risk management
 Identify and review risks for failure
 Develop plans to reduce these risks
• Procurement management
 Develop requests for proposals (RFPs)
 Evaluate bids, write contracts, monitor performance
• Integration management

There are a number of approaches to managing project activities including agile, interactive, incremental, and phased approaches.
Regardless of the methodology employed, careful consideration must be given to the overall project objectives, timeline, and cost, as well as the roles and responsibilities of all participants and stakeholders.
A traditional phased approach identifies a sequence of steps to be completed. In the "traditional approach", five developmental components of a project can be distinguished (four stages plus control):

 initiation;
 planning and design;
 execution and construction;
 monitoring and controlling systems;
 completion.

Not all the projects will visit every stage as projects can be terminated before they reach completion. Some projects do not follow a structured planning and/or monitoring stages. Some projects will go through steps 2, 3 and 4 multiple times.

Many industries use variations on these project stages. For example, when working on a brick and mortar design and construction, projects will typically progress through stages like Pre-Planning, Conceptual Design, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Drawings (or Contract Documents), and Construction Administration. In software development, this approach is often known as the waterfall model, i.e., one series of tasks after another in linear sequence. In software development many organizations have adapted the Rational Unified Process (RUP) to fit this methodology, although RUP does not require or explicitly recommend this practice. Waterfall development works well for small, well defined projects, but often fails in larger projects of undefined and ambiguous nature. The Cone of Uncertainty explains some of this as the planning made on the initial phase of the project suffers from a high degree of uncertainty. This becomes especially true as software development is often the realization of a new or novel product.


blog link:
http://snailbob.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/role-of-a-systems-analyst-as-a-project-manager/

(see images here)






Resources:
http://wikipedia.com/
Group 3 report slide