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With the overarching goal of preparing the analysts of tomorrow, Systems Analysis and Design offers students a rigorous hands-on introduction to the field with a project-based approach that mirrors the real-world workflow. Core concepts are presented through running cases and examples, bolstered by in-depth explanations and special features that highlight critical points while emphasizing the process of "doing" alongside "learning." As students apply their own work to real-world cases, they develop the essential skills and knowledge base a professional analyst needs while developing an instinct for approach, tools, and methods.
Accessible, engaging, and geared toward active learning, this book conveys both essential knowledge and the experience of developing and analyzing systems; with this strong foundation in SAD concepts and applications, students are equipped with a robust and relevant skill set that maps directly to real-world systems analysis projects.
Preface v
Part 1 Planning Phase
1 The Systems Analyst and Information Systems Development, 3
Introduction, 4
The Systems Analyst, 5
Systems Analyst Skills, 5
Systems Analyst Roles, 6
The Systems Development Life Cycle, 7
Planning, 10
Analysis, 10
Design, 11
Implementation, 11
Project Identification and Initiation, 12
System Request, 14
Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 15
Feasibility Analysis, 18
Technical Feasibility, 19
Economic Feasibility, 20
Organizational Feasibility, 26
Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 29
Chapter Review, 31
Appendix 1A: Detailed Economic Feasibility Analysis for DrōnTeq, 35
2 Project Selection and Management, 37
Introduction, 38
Project Selection, 39
Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 40
Creating the Project Plan, 41
Project Methodology Options, 42
Selecting the Appropriate Development Methodology, 49
Estimating the Project Time Frame, 51
Developing the Work Plan, 52
Staffing the Project, 56
Staffing Plan, 56
Coordinating Project Activities, 59
Managing and Controlling the Project, 62
Refining Estimates, 62
Managing Scope, 64
Timeboxing, 64
Managing Risk, 65
Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 66
Staffing the Project, 68
Coordinating Project Activities, 70
Chapter Review, 70
Appendix 2A: The Function Point Approach, 74
Appendix 2B: Project Management Tools: The Gantt Chart and PERT Chart, 79
Gantt Chart, 79
PERT Chart, 79
Part 2 Analysis Phase
3 Requirements Determination, 85
Introduction, 86
The Analysis Phase, 86
Requirements Determination, 88
What Is a Requirement?, 88
The Process of Determining Requirements, 92
The Requirements Definition Statement, 92
Requirements Elicitation Techniques, 94
Requirements Elicitation in Practice, 94
Interviews, 95
Joint Application Development (JAD), 101
Questionnaires, 105
Document Analysis, 107
Observation, 109
Selecting the Appropriate Techniques, 110
Requirements Analysis Strategies, 111
Problem Analysis, 112
Root Cause Analysis, 112
Duration Analysis, 112
Activity-Based Costing, 114
Informal Benchmarking, 114
Outcome Analysis, 114
Technology Analysis, 115
Activity Elimination, 116
Comparing Analysis Strategies, 116
Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 116
Eliciting and Analyzing Requirements, 116
Requirements Definition, 117
System Proposal, 119
Chapter Review, 119
4 Use Case Analysis, 124
Introduction, 124
What Is a Use Case?, 126
The Use Case Concept in a Nutshell, 126
Use Case Formats and Elements, 127
Casual Use Case Format, 128
Use Cases in Sequence, 130
Fully Dressed Use Case Format, 130
Applying Use Cases, 133
Use Case Practical Tips, 133
Use Cases and Functional Requirements, 133
Use Cases and Testing, 134
Creating Use Cases, 134
Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 144
Identifying the Major Use Cases, 144
Elaborating on the Use Cases, 145
Chapter Review, 150
5 Process Modeling, 153
Introduction, 153
Data Flow Diagrams, 154
Reading Data Flow Diagrams, 154
Elements of Data Flow Diagrams, 157
Using Data Flow Diagrams to Define Business Processes, 159
Process Descriptions, 164
Creating Data Flow Diagrams, 164
Creating the Context Diagram, 165
Creating Data Flow Diagram Fragments, 166
Creating the Level 0 Data Flow Diagram, 168
Creating Level 1 Data Flow Diagrams (and Below), 169
Validating the Data Flow Diagrams, 172
Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 176
Developing the Process Model, 176
Creating Data Flow Diagram Fragments, 176
Creating the Level 1 Data Flow Diagram, 178
Creating Level 2 Data Flow Diagrams (and Below), 180
Validating the Data Flow Diagrams, 181
Chapter Review, 181
6 Data Modeling, 186
Introduction, 187
The Entity Relationship Diagram, 187
Reading an Entity Relationship Diagram, 188
Elements of an Entity Relationship Diagram, 189
The Data Dictionary and Metadata, 194
Creating an Entity Relationship Diagram, 196
Building Entity Relationship Diagrams, 196
Advanced Syntax, 199
Applying the Concepts at Dro¯nTeq, 201
Validating an Entity Relationship Diagram, 205
Design Guidelines, 205
Normalization, 208
Balancing Entity Relationship Diagrams with Data Flow Diagrams, 208
Chapter Review, 210
Appendix 6A: Normalizing the Data Model, 213
Part 3 Design Phase
7 Moving into Design, 221
Introduction, 222
Transition from Requirements to Design, 222
System Acquisition Strategies, 224
Custom Development, 226
Packaged Software, 227
Outsourcing, 228
Influences on the Acquisition Strategy, 231
Business Need, 231
In-House Experience, 232
Project Skills, 233
Project Management, 233
Time Frame, 233
Selecting an Acquisition Strategy, 233
Alternative Matrix, 234
Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 236
Chapter Review, 238
8 Architecture Design, 240
Introduction, 241
Elements of an Architecture Design, 241
Architectural Components, 241
Client–Server Architectures, 242
Client–Server Tiers, 243
Server-Based Architecture, 245
Mobile Application Architecture, 246
Advances in Architecture Configurations, 247
Comparing Architecture Options, 248
Creating an Architecture Design, 249
Operational Requirements, 249
Performance Requirements, 250
Security Requirements, 252
Cultural and Political Requirements, 257
Designing the Architecture, 259
Hardware and Software Specification, 261
Applying the Concepts at Dro¯nTeq, 263
Creating an Architecture Design, 263
Hardware and Software Specification, 264
Chapter Review, 265
9 User Interface Design, 268
Introduction, 269
The Usability Concept, 269
Principles for User Interface Design, 270
Layout, 270
Content Awareness, 272
Aesthetics, 273
Usage Level, 273
Consistency, 275
Minimize User Effort, 276
Special Issues of Touch Screen Interface Design, 276
User Interface Design Process, 277
Understand the Users, 278
Organize the Interface, 280
Define Standards, 283
Interface Design Prototyping, 284
Interface Evaluation/Testing, 286
Navigation Design, 290
Basic Principles, 290
Menu Tips, 291
Message Tips, 293
Input Design, 296
Basic Principles, 296
Input Tips, 298
Input Validation, 300
Output Design, 300
Basic Principles, 300
Types of Outputs, 302
Media, 304
Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 305
Understand the Users, 305
Organize the Interface, 305
Define Standards, 306
Interface Template Design, 306
Develop Prototypes, 312
Interface Evaluation/Testing, 313
Chapter Review, 313
10 Program Design, 318
Introduction, 319
Moving from Logical to Physical Process Models, 319
The Physical Data Flow Diagram, 319
Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 322
Designing Programs, 323
Structure Chart, 326
Syntax, 327
Building the Structure Chart, 330
Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 332
Design Guidelines, 336
Program Specification, 342
Syntax, 342
Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 345
Chapter Review, 348
11 Data Storage Design, 354
Introduction, 355
Data Storage Formats, 355
Files, 356
Databases, 358
Selecting a Storage Format, 362
Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 364
Moving from Logical to Physical Data Models, 365
The Physical Entity Relationship Diagram, 365
Revisiting the CRUD Matrix, 369
Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 369
Optimizing Data Storage, 372
Optimizing Storage Efficiency, 372
Optimizing Access Speed, 374
Estimating Storage Size, 379
Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 380
Chapter Review, 382
Part 4 Implementation Phase
12 Moving into Implementation, 387
Introduction, 387
Managing the Programming Process, 388
Assigning Programming Tasks, 388
Coordinating Activities, 389
Managing the Schedule, 390
Testing, 390
Test Planning, 392
Unit Tests, 392
Integration Tests, 395
System Tests, 395
Acceptance Tests, 395
Developing Documentation, 397
Types of Documentation, 398
Designing Documentation Structure, 398
Writing Documentation Topics, 400
Identifying Navigation Terms, 401
Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 403
Managing Programming, 403
Testing, 403
Developing User Documentation, 404
Chapter Review, 407
13 Transition to the New System, 409
Introduction, 409
Making the Transition to the New System, 410
The Migration Plan, 411
Selecting the Conversion Strategy, 412
Preparing a Business Contingency Plan, 416
Preparing the Technology, 417
Preparing People for the New System, 418
Understanding Resistance to Change, 418
Revising Management Policies, 420
Assessing Costs and Benefits, 420
Motivating Adoption, 423
Enabling Adoption: Training, 424
Postimplementation Activities, 427
System Support, 427
System Maintenance, 428
Project Assessment, 430
Applying the Concepts at DrōnTeq, 432
Implementation Process, 432
Preparing the People, 432
Postimplementation Activities, 432
Chapter Review, 433
Index 436
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