Module 1: Introduction to Systems Analysis and Design
horizontal system
A basic system, such as an inventory or payroll package that is commonly used by a variety of companies.
empowerment
A business practice that places more responsibility and accountability throughout all levels of an organization.
help desk
A centralized resource staffed by IT professionals that provides users with the support they need to do their jobs. A help desk has three main objectives: to show people how to use system resources more effectively, to provide answers to technical or operational questions, and to make users more productive by teaching them how to meet their own information needs. Also called service desk or information center.
information technology
A combination of hardware, software, and telecommunications systems that support business operations, improve productivity, and help managers make decisions.
information system
A combination of information technology, people, and data to support business requirements. The five key components are hardware, software, data, processes, and people.
B2C
A commercial exchange (e.g., products or services) between businesses and consumers conducted over the Internet.
B2B
A commercial exchange (e.g., products or services) between businesses, typically enabled by the Internet or electronic means.
service oriented
A company that primarily offers information or services, or sells goods produced by others.
management information system
A computer-based information system used in business planning, control, decision making, and problem solving.
certification
A credential an individual earns by demonstrating a certain level of knowledge and skill on a standardized test.
business profile
A definition of a company's overall functions, processes, organization, products, services, customers, suppliers, competitors, constraints, and future direction.
business process
A description of specific events, tasks, and desired results.
spiral model
A development model with a series of iterations, or revisions, based on user feedback.
system requirements document
A document that contains the requirements for the new system, describes the alternatives that were considered, and makes a specific recommendation to management. It is the end product of the systems analysis phase.
system design specification
A document that presents the complete design for the new information system, along with detailed costs, staffing, and scheduling for completing the next SDLC phase, systems implementation. Also called the technical design specification or the detailed design specification.
systems request
A formal request to the IT department that describes problems or desired changes in an information system or business process. It might propose enhancements for an existing system, the correction of problems, or the development of an entirely new system.
business model
A graphical representation of business functions that consist of business processes, such as sales, accounting, and purchasing.
business process model (BPM)
A graphical representation of one or more business processes.
server farm
A large concentration of networked computers working together.
systems analyst
A person who plans, analyzes, and implements information systems. He or she may work internally within a company's IT department, or be hired by a company as an independent consultant.
deliverable
A polished, final product, suitable for its intended use. End products or deliverables often coincide with the completion of each SDLC phase.
joint application development
A popular systems development technique that uses a group of users, managers and IT professionals that work together to gather information, discuss business needs, and define the new system requirements.
knowledge base
A popular systems development technique that uses a group of users, managers, and IT professionals that work together to gather information, discuss business needs, and define the new system requirements.
Moore's Law
A prediction that computing power would double every 18 to 24 months due to increased miniaturization of electronic components.
enterprise resource planning
A process that establishes an enterprise-wide strategy for IT resources. ERP defines a specific architecture, including standards for data, processing, network, and user interface design.
electronic data interchange
A process that involves the computer-to-computer transfer of data between companies.
modeling
A process that produces a graphical representation of a concept or process that systems developers can analyze, test, and modify.
software
A program run by computers for a specific function or task.
corporate culture
A set of beliefs, rules, traditions, values, and attitudes that define a company and influence its way of doing business.
system
A set of related components that produces specific results.
app
A software application that runs on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet.
business process modeling notation
A standard set of shapes and symbols used to represent events, processes, and workflows in computer-based modeling tools.
vertical system
A system designed to meet the unique requirements of a specific business or industry, such as a web-based retailer or auto-supply store.
adaptive method
A systems development method that typically uses a spiral development model, which builds on a series of iterations, to make adapting to changes easier for all stakeholders.
rapid application development
A team-based technique that speeds up information systems development and produces a functioning information system. RAD is similar in concept to joint application development (JAD), but goes further by including all phases of the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
Computer aided software engineering (CASE)
A technique that uses powerful programs called CASE tools to provide an overall framework for systems development. The tools support a wide variety of design methodologies, including structured analysis and object-oriented analysis. Also referred to as computer-aided systems engineering.
class
A term used in object-oriented modeling to indicate a collection of similar objects
structured analysis
A traditional systems development technique that uses phases to plan, analyze, design, implement, and support an information system. Processes and data are treated as separate components.
supply chain
A traditional systems development technique that uses phases to plan, analyze, design, implement, and support an information system. Processes and data are treated as separate components.
systems development life cycle
Activities and functions that systems developers typically perform, regardless of how those activities and functions fit into a particular methodology. The SDLC model includes five phases: 1. Systems planning, 2. Systems analysis, 3. Systems design, 4. Systems implementation, and 5. Systems support and security.
iterative
An adaptive method typically uses a spiral development model, which builds on a series of iterations.
prototype
An early, rapidly constructed working version of the proposed information system
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
An equipment management model where employees are in charge of their devices (e.g., computers, tablets, smartphones) at work, not the IT department. This includes device selection and setup, program installation and updating, and network connectivity (including security).
mission critical system
An information system that is vital to a company's operations.
preliminary investigation
An initial analysis to clearly identify the nature and scope of the business opportunity or problem. Also called a feasibility study.
feasibility study
An initial investigation to clearly identify the nature and scope of the business opportunity or problem. Also called a preliminary investigation.
legacy system
An older system that is typically less technologically advanced than currently available systems.
stakeholder
Anyone who is affected by the company's performance, such as customers, employees, suppliers, stockholders, and members of the community.
user productivity system
Application that provides employees of all levels a wide array of tools to improve job performance. Examples include email, word processing, graphics, and company intranets.
product oriented
Companies that manufacture computers, routers, or microchips.
enterprise application
Company-wide applications, such as order processing systems, payroll systems, and company communications networks.
information
Data that has been changed into a useful form of output.
systems support and security phase
During the systems support and security phase of the SDLC, the IT staff maintains, enhances, and protects the system.
data flow diagram
Graphical representation of the system, showing it stores, processes, and transforms data into useful information.
business rule
How a system handles data and produces useful information. Business rules, also called business logic, reflect the operational requirements of the business. Examples include adding the proper amount of sales tax to invoices, calculating customer balances and finance charges, and determining whether a customer is eligible for a volume-based discount.
properties
In object-oriented (O-O) analysis, characteristics that objects inherit from their class or possess on their own.
enterprise computing
Information systems that support company-wide data management requirements, such as airline reservations or credit card billing systems.
inference rule
Instruction that directs a knowledge management system to identify data patterns and relationships.
transaction processing system
Operational system used to process day-to-day recurring business transactions, such as customer billing.
CASE tool
Powerful software used in computer-aided systems (or software) engineering (CASE) to help systems analysts develop and maintain information systems. See also computer-aided software engineering (CASE).
process
Procedure or task that users, managers, and IT staff members perform. Also, the logical rules of a system that are applied to transform data into meaningful information. In data flow diagrams, a process receives input data and produces output that has a different content, form, or both.
system software
Programs that control the computer, including the operating system, device drivers that communicate with hardware, and low-level utilities.
business support system
Provide job-related information support to users at all levels of a company.
application software
Software programs, such as email, word processors, spreadsheets, and graphics packages, used by employees in typical office scenarios.
groupware
Software that runs in the cloud or on a company intranet that enables users to share data, collaborate on projects, and work in teams, and may offer features in addition to basic email capability, such as calendars, task lists, schedules, contact lists, and document management. Also called workgroup software.
user
Stakeholder inside or outside the company who will interact with the system.
agile method
Systems development method that attempts to develop a system incrementally, by building a series of prototypes and constantly adjusting them to user requirements. Related to adaptive method.
technical support
Technical support is necessary to support the wide variety of IT systems and users. It includes six main functions: application development, systems support, user support, database administration, network administration, and web support. These functions overlap considerably and often have different names in different companies.
radio frequency identification (RFID)
Technology that uses high-frequency radio waves to track physical objects.
scalable
The ability of a system to expand to meet new business requirements and volumes.
critical thinking skill
The ability to compare, classify, evaluate, recognize patterns, analyze cause and effect, and apply logic. Such skills are valued in the IT industry.
object
The act of understanding an information system by identifying things called objects. An object represents a real person, place, event, or transaction. Object-oriented analysis is a popular approach that sees a system from the viewpoint of the objects themselves as they function and interact with the system.
object oriented analysis
The act of understanding an information system by identifying things called objects. An object represents a real person, place, event, or transaction. Object-oriented analysis is a popular approach that sees a system from the viewpoint of the objects themselves as they function and interact with the system.
systems planning phase
The first phase of the SDLC. During this phase the systems project gets started. The project proposal is evaluated to determine its feasibility. The project management plan is formulated, with the help of CASE tools where appropriate.
systems implementation phase
The fourth phase of SDLC. During this phase the new system is constructed, programs are written, tested, and documented, and the system is installed.
strategic plan
The long-range plan that defines the corporate mission and goals. Typically defined by top management, with input from all levels.
hardware
The physical layer of the information system, to include computers, networks, communications equipment, and other technology-based infrastructure.
system analysis and design
The process of developing information systems that effectively use hardware, software, data, processes, and people to support the company's business objectives.
project management
The process of planning, scheduling, monitoring, controlling, and reporting upon the development of an information system.
data
The raw material or basic facts used by information systems.
systems analysis phase
The second SDLC phase. The purpose of this phase is to build a logical model of the new system.
systems design phase
The third SDLC phase. The purpose of systems design is to create a blueprint for the new system that will satisfy all documented requirements, whether the system is being developed in-house or purchased as a package.
waterfall model
The traditional model of software development. A graph that depicts the result of each SDLC phase flowing down into the next phase.
ecommerce
Transactions (e.g., buying and selling of goods and information) that occur on the Internet. Includes both business-to-consumer and business-to-business.
requirements modeling
Used in the systems planning phase of the SDLC. It involves using various fact-finding techniques, such as interviews, surveys, observation, and sampling, to describe the current system and identify the requirements for the new system.
