Monday, April 26, 2010

SAD 1 - (Assignment 1)

Based on your learnings of chapter 1, identify and discuss some charateristics you have as a good Systems Analyst.

Chapter 1 is all about “The World of the Information System Analysts”. This topic tries to explore the possibilities of a System Analyst. As an IT student, there are many possible jobs in the near future that wait. One of them is being a System Analyst, a business professional who uses analysis and design techniques to solve business problems using information technology. He/she is the person who views the analysis of problems as a challenge and who enjoys devising workable solutions.

As what I have understood on the discussions, a System Analysts can be of different role like as problem solvers that usually solve business problems using information technology, as consultants, as agent for change and as supporting expert. He/she plays many roles and sometimes balancing several at the same time. Therefore, an analyst must possess various skills to effectively carry out this job. System Analysts must have broad knowledge and variety of skills, including technical, business, and people skills. It is because a Systems analyst works on strategic plans and then system development projects so it should be an obligation that analysts must know what are those in the technical, business and the people. Technical knowledge is important in project planning, system analysis, system design, database design and even network design, implementation and systems support. The people knowledge will help the analysts to understand the people that he/she will get along with. He/she needs to understand how the people will think, learn, react to change and communicate to make the tandem easier and avoid conflicts. Interpersonal skills deal with relationships and the interface of the analyst with people in business that is why it can be very crucial because it evoke commitment from the client.

From the sharing and discussions, I was able to identify important traits and character that a System Analysts must posses to be able to meet respective goals and objectives. Below are some of most important traits, qualities and characters that I have to develop to be a good system analyst.

I must be a good communicator and have a strong personality to convey people. A System Analysts must be able to communicate both in oral and written. It is important in dealing with your clients while you are going to review the necessary information that the desired system needs. Also I have learned that an analyst must not only a good communicator but also a good listener and must be able to react what might people have to say. I must be capable of relating meaningfully to other people over extended periods of time. There should be a mutual understanding between the analyst and his/her client. It is very important in building trust and cooperation during the entire development and implementation process. The analyst must easily get along with people that he/she had to work in for.

I must be knowledgeable of the technology trends. The analyst is not necessarily have to posses’ extreme programming skills and not expected to know the intricacies of programming, but a decent general knowledge of concepts and terms is essential especially in dealing with the systems design. There should be also a technical knowledge so that it is easy for the analysts to deal with technicalities to glean information requirements from users and to communicate what is needed for programmers.

I must be knowledgeable of business functions. Though it is not expected that the analysts is an expert in business but a decent understanding of the client's world is required especially that the analyst will going to review business related issues. He/she is expected to review the business function performed by the organization during the information gathering.

I should be familiar with the concepts for the appropriate design of the particular development environment. It is not just doing the project because it is what the client wants. The analyst must know the appropriate design concepts. He/she must have the ability to conceptualize and think creatively. Also, the analysts should have the skills to use the tools to facilitate his/her work like using design software tools.

I must be flexible to adapt changes and twists during the development of the project and must be able to alter unexpected situations. It is very important for an analyst to have a strong heart to face whatever problems that the project will encounter during development. The systems analyst must be a self-disciplined, self motivated individual who is able to manage and coordinate innumerable project resources, including other people. There should be an effective time management and personal organization skills. A good analyst must be able to identify and suggest requirements that are more useful than what are the clients has been able to identify. Most importantly, analysts must have high standard of ethics and integrity in all dealings. It is very important especially that analysts will be given the chance to get involve in private information.

Finally, to be a good system analyst is to live with integrity. It is very much important to gain trust from expected clients and to build cooperation and camaraderie. For me it is better to enjoy the whole development process and make it easier for both parties. Though some organizations would like to build gap among outsiders, a good analyst must know how to break the gap. That is why it is also important to share and exchange ideas to better things. The aforementioned are just some of the important characteristic that a good system analyst must have. Otherwise, there is no good dealing between clients.

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