Based on your learnings of chapter 1, identify and discuss some characteristics you have as a good Systems Analyst. (at least 2500 words)

What is System Analyst?

A systems 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 good system analyst must possess the following characteristics:

1. The system analyst must be able to communicate in writing and orally.

2. The analyst must easily get along with people.

3. The analyst must be a good listener and be able to react to what people say.

4. The analyst must be knowledgeable of technology. The analyst is not expected to know the intricacies of programming, but a decent general knowledge of concepts and terms is essential.

5. The analyst must be knowledgeable of business. The analyst is not expected to be an expert in business but a decent understanding of the client's world is required.

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

The Knowledge of:
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

The Ability to:
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.

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.

-Fundamental knowledge about the computer hardware, software, operating systems, database management systems, software development phase is required, recent trends and their comparison.
- The systems snalyst should be well versed with the software system development techniques and tools, such as Integrated Development Environment (IDEs), CASE tools, and other system development tools.
- In order to complete specific system development activities, the systems analyst needs to know the techniques of project planning, systems analysis, system design, coding and testing , implementation and system support.

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, programming, and other systems professionals.

Because they must write user requests into technical specifications, the systems analysts are the liaisons between vendors and the IT professionals of the organization they represent. They may be responsible for developing cost analysis, design considerations, and implementation time-lines. They may also be responsible for feasibility studies of a computer system before making recommendations to senior management.

These are the characteristics I have as a good System Analyst

A good system analyst must possess the following characteristics:

As a future system analyst I can communicate to people well and also through writing.
I can easily get along with people and a good listener and can react to what people say.
As an IT student I’m knowledgeable in technology.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_analyst

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080725042042AA2MqMh

http://jobs.virginia.gov/careerguides/computersystemsanalyst.htm