SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN LAB BOOK
PART ONE: AN INTRODUCTION TO SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT
CHAPTER ONE: FROM BEGINNING TO END- AN OVERVIEW OF SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN
Chapter Outline
■ Software Development and Systems Analysis and Design
■ Systems Development Life Cycle
■ Introduction to Ridgeline Mountain Outfitters
■ Iterative Development
■ Developing RMO’s Tradeshow System
■ Where You Are Headed—The Rest of This Book
Learning Objectives
After reading this chapter, you should be able to:
■ Describe the purpose of systems analysis and design in the development of
information systems
■ Describe the characteristics of iterative systems development
■ Explain the six core processes of the Systems Development Life Cycle
■ Identify key documents that are used in planning a project
■ Identify key diagrams used in systems analysis and systems design
■ Explain the utility of identifying use cases in systems development
■ Explain the utility of identifying object classes in systems development
Software Development and Systems Analysis and Design
> Computers are everywhere, and microchips impact every part of our lives. A large
part of our lives depends on computer chips, connection links and application
software.
> What is systems analysis and design, and why is it important? First, let's define
two things:
> A Computer application is a computer software program executed on a computing
device to carry out a specific function or set of related functions.
> An information system is a set of interrelated computer components that
collects, processes, stores(in a DB), and provides as an output the info needed to
complete business tasks.
Though used synonymously, an app is usually only the computer software, while
the info system includes the software, database, and even related manual processes.
So to answer our Q on why Systems analysis and design is important in developing
info systems. We can look at a scenario of creating a beautiful building. The buyer
will have the vision, the builder will construct the building, and the artictect
wil serve as a bridge between the two by capturing the vision of the buyer and
providing the builder with instructions.
In the same sense, we have the systems analyst who acts like an architect, the
programmer is the builder, and the owner is of course the owner here too.
In short, SA&D is about providing tools and techniques to the developer so you
can understand the need(business), capture the vision, define a solution,
communication the vision and the solution, build and launch the solution
application. It has skills, steps, guidelines and tools.
Systems analysis consists of activities that enable a person to understand and
specify what new systems should accomplish. Systems analysis describes in detail
the “what” that a system must do to satisfy the need
or to solve the problem.
Systems design consists of activities that enable a person to describe in detail
the system that solves the need.
Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
To Manage a project with analysis, design, and other development activities, you
need a project management framework to guide and coordinate the work of the team.
The SDLC identifies all activities required to build, launch and maintain an
INformation System.
There are six core processes required in developing a new app:
1. Identify the problem and obtain approval to proceed.
2. Plan and monitor the project (what to do, how to do it, and who does it)
3. Discover and understand the details of the problem.
4. Design the system components that solve the problem
5. Build, test and integrate system components
6. Compare system tests and then deploy the solution.
An information systems development process is the actual approach used to develop a
particular information system. Though newer and effective processes have been
developed such as Agile Development.
To understand these concepts, we will look at an example of a small info system
application project. The project involves Ridgeline mountain Outfitters, a retailer
and manufacturer of clothing for all types of outdoor activities.
INTRODUCTION TO RIDGELINE MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS (RMO)
