Systems Analysis

Systems Analysis is a scientific discipline: the analysis of sets of interacting entities or systems, and the interactions within those systems. Systems analysis is closely related to Operations Research.

Systems Analysis is an explicit formal enquiry carried out to help someone (such as a decision maker) identify a better course of action and make a better decision than he/she might have otherwise made.

Systems analysis researchers apply mathematical methodology to the analysis of the systems involved when they wish to form a detailed overall picture.

The development of a computer-based information system often uses a systems analyst. When a computer-based information system is developed, systems analysis constitutes the following steps:

• The development of a feasibility study, involving determining whether a project is economically, socially, technologically and organisationally feasible.

• Conducting fact-finding measures, designed to ascertain the requirements of the system's end users. These typically span interviews, questionnaires, or visual observations of work on the existing system.

Systems analysis is often used to dissect systems that have grown haphazardly to determine the current components of the system. Jobs which use systems analysis skills include, for instance, systems analyst, business analyst, manufacturing engineer, enterprise architect.

While practitioners of systems analysis can be called upon to create entirely new systems, their skills are more often used to modify, expand or document existing systems (processes, procedures and methods).

A useful set of guides and a case study about the practical application of business and systems analysis methods is available at Briefing Study Guides and Case Studies (Crocus Information Ltd).

Further Learning

• Online tutorials and further information are available at Systems Analysis and Design (from FreeTutes)
• The Open University's Open Learning Space has courses on IT and Computing.

This content comes from The University of Essex