Systems analysts solve computer problems and apply computer technology to meet the individual needs of an organization. They help an organization to realize the maximum benefit from its investment in equipment, personnel, and business processes. Systems analysts may plan and develop new computer systems or devise ways to apply existing systems' resources to additional operations. They may design new systems, including both hardware and software, or add a new software application to harness more of the computer's power. Most systems analysts work with specific types of systems—for example, business, accounting, or financial systems, or scientific and engineering systems—that vary with the kind of organization. Some systems analysts also are known as systems developers or systems architects. 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. So enough for the introduction let’s go to the definition.
A System Analyst is responsible for researching, planning, coordinating and recommending software and system choices to meet an organization's business requirements. The systems analyst plays a vital role in the systems development process. A successful systems analyst must acquire four skills: analytical, technical, managerial, and interpersonal. Analytical skills enable systems analysts to understand the organization and its functions, which helps him/her to identify opportunities and to analyze and solve problems. Technical skills help systems analysts understand the potential and the limitations of information technology. The systems analyst must be able to work with various programming languages, operating systems, and computer hardware platforms. Management skills help systems analysts manage projects, resources, risk, and change. Interpersonal skills help systems analysts work with end users as well as with analysts, programmers, and other systems professionals. This was the definition that a Wikipedia.org gave to me as I researched it on the web. But for me, I think the definition of a system analyst is planning, analyzing, coordinating and recommending software and systems to the top management in order to meet the organization’s business goals.
So enough for the definition and functions of a system analyst, let’s go to the question of what skills that are needed for a systems analyst to develop in order to be more effective in designing any modeling process? And try to answer what are those skills that are needed to develop. There are four skills that a system analyst must develop in order to be more effective in designing any modeling process. These are the analytical skills, technical skills, management skills, and the communication skills. So, let us define each of them in order to explain why a system analyst must develop these types of skills.
First is the analytical skills, so what is an analytical skill? Analytical skill is the ability to see things as systems, identify, analyze, and solve problems in an optimal way for a specific organization. So from what is stated above, the ability to see things as a system, the ability to identify, the ability to analyze, and the ability to solve problems are the main concerns of a system analyst in the analytical aspect of a systems analyst. So a system analyst must develop these types of skills. As we all know that we can have all these skills but a system analyst must really develop in order to be more effective in designing any modeling process. So, enough for the analytical skill and lets go to the next one which is the technical skills.
The second one is the technical skills, so what is a technical skill? Technical skill is the ability to understand how computers, data networks, databases, operating systems, etc. work together, as well as their potentials and limitations. So from what is stated above, the ability to understand how computers, data networks, databases, operating systems, and etc. work together is the main concerns of a system analyst in the technical aspect of a system analyst. So a system analyst must develop these types of skills in order to be more effective in designing any modeling process. I think for me this very important that a system analyst must really develop in order to be more effective.
Technical skills needed by systems analysts include but are not limited to:
1. Computers (PCs, mini, mainframes, etc.)
2. Computer networks (LAN, WAN, VPNs, administration, security, etc.)
3. Operating systems (UNIX, Mac/OS, Windows)
4. Data Exchange Protocols (ftp, http, etc.)
5. Programming languages (C++, Java, XML, etc.)
6. Software applications (Office, project managements, etc.)
7. Information systems (databases, MISs, decision support systems)
8. System development tools and environments (such as report generators, office automation tools, etc.)
The third one is the management skills, so let me define what a management skill is all about. So what is a management skill? Management skill includes organization’s recourse management, project management (people and money), risk management, and change management. So to elaborate more it is just management skills help systems analysts manage projects, resources, risk, and change. So a system analyst must develop these types of skills in order to be more effective in designing any modeling process. They should be able to manage all the things that are needed to be manage in an organization such as resources, be able to properly disseminate all workforce in a project and properly manage it, be able to know the risk that are involve, and able to anticipate changes in the environment.
Managerial skills needed by systems analysts include but are not limited to:
1. Resource management - effectively managing the project’s resources, including time, equipment, hardware, software, people, money, etc.,
2. Project management - determining the tasks and resources needed for a project and how they are related to each other,
3. Risk management - identifying and minimizing risks,
4. Change management - managing the system’s (organization's) transition from one state to another
The last skill that a system analyst must develop is the communication skill. So let me define what communication skill is all about. So what is communication skill? Communication skill includes effective interpersonal communication (written, verbal, visual, electronic, face-to-face conversations, presentations in front of groups), listening, and group facilitation skills. To elaborate, communication skills are very important to develop in order for the system analyst and clients understand each other. Having good communication with client’s makes things go smoothly and properly. Poor communication leads to mismanagement and even resulting to a project failures, and etc.
Communication skills needed by systems analysts include:
1. Clear and effective interpersonal communication, whether written, verbal, or visual, from writing reports to face–to–face conversations, to presentations in front of groups;
2. Listening (accepting opinions and ideas from other project team members),
3. Group facilitation or formal technical reviews (FTR) skills:
· setting an agenda,
· leading discussions,
· involving all parties in the discussion,
· summarizing ideas,
· keeping discussions on the agenda, etc.
So these are the skills that a system analyst must develop in order to be more effective in designing any modeling process. A system analyst must develop the four skills that I listed in order to be more effective. All the four skills that I stated must be developed so that the goals on an organization can be attained. Because in an organization information is very crucial, so in order for the system analyst attain the goals of an organization and in order for the organization to prosper a system analyst must develop the analytical skill, technical skill, management skill, and the communication skill.
Skills
1. Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
2. Writing computer programs for various purposes.
3. Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
4. Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
5. Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
6. Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
7. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
8. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
9. Talking to others to convey information effectively.
10. Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Knowledge
1. Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
2. Structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
3. Principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
4. Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
5. Principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Abilities
1. Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
2. Communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
3. Choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
4. Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
5. Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
6. See details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
7. Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
8. Come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
9. Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
10. Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Tasks
1. Analyze information processing or computation needs and plan and design computer systems, using techniques such as structured analysis, data modeling and information engineering.
2. Assess the usefulness of pre-developed application packages and adapt them to a user environment.
3. Confer with clients regarding the nature of the information processing or computation needs a computer program is to address.
4. Define the goals of the system and devise flow charts and diagrams describing logical operational steps of programs.
5. Determine computer software or hardware needed to set up or alter system.
6. Develop, document and revise system design procedures, test procedures, and quality standards.
7. Expand or modify system to serve new purposes or improve work flow.
8. Interview or survey workers, observe job performance and/or perform the job in order to determine what information is processed and how it is processed.
9. Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems.
10. Recommend new equipment or software packages.
In relation to what I have interviewed, he is a systems analyst of the Davao Light and Power Company. I won’t tell you the name for security purposes. He told us that based on what he had experienced as a system analyst, he stated that what a system analyst really need to develop in order to be more effective is communication, technical skills, how to model data, how to model processes, and administrative work. For communication, he stated that you must know hot to point something to the clients. You should know all the systems in an organization, develop and program systems, knows business functions and processes. So basically, these were the words that he stated during our interview regarding what are the skills and characteristics that a system analyst must develop.
Appendixes:
References:
Wikipedia.org
Google.com
http://jobs.virginia.gov/careerguides/computersystemsanalyst.htm
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