Course Description

1. UGANDA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY Faculty of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Information TechnologyIT2103: System Analysis and Design 1. Course OutlineProgram: BSCS II (Advent Semester – 2014)Lecturer: Rebecca Asiimwe Phone Number:+256 712-997- 544 /0704 522 081 Email: rasiimwe@technology.ucu.ac.ug

2. Course Description This course encompasses the concepts, tools and techniques required to analyze and design business information systems. This course will give an overview of Information systems analysis and design. Students will learn about analysis and design methodologies and techniques. The course covers basic Fact- finding techniques and requirements structuring tools and techniques, modeling system processes, logical data structures and system specifications.

3. Course Objectives • To become familiar with the principle, terminology and techniques of system analysis and design of business information systems • To develop critical thinking and problem solving skills such as those by system analysts • To improve written and verbal communication skills such as those needed by analysts

4. Learning Outcomes • Upon completion of this course, the student should: • Know what makes up an information system • Know how to start an information system project • Plan for the system, feasibility study • Be able to analyze a system, propose new system and design a new system • Be able to indicate requirements of a new system prior to development

5. Course Outline by Topic Basic Concepts and information system Overview The system Development Environment; The system development Life Cycle and different Development Methodologies System Planning; Preliminary investigation and Feasibility study Requirements Determination; Traditional and modern methods Structuring System Requirements; Process modeling-Data Flow Diagrams Logical modeling-structured English and Decision Tables and Data modeling System Design- design strategy, Architectural design, interface design

6. Mode of Delivery and Assessment • Mode of Delivery • Lecture Hours • Classroom Discussions • Practical Hours (these are field practice exercises and assignments to appreciate the introduced concepts.) • Mode of Assessment • 2 compulsory tests and a number of assignments will be administered. The Group assignments will be presented in class. • 50% of your final mark will come from your coursework assessment and the other 50% from your final Examination

7. Policy on Missed Assessments: No make up tests or assignments will be given to student who miss these assessments without a good reason. Students who are not able to make it to class due to unavoidable circumstances should communicate to the lecturer in advance and should present proof (for example, a medical slip from the university clinic) of the matter hindering them from attending classes or any tests on return.

8. Key note on plagiarism Any attempt by a student to represent the work of another as his or her own will lead to annulment of his or her work. This includes copying or substantially restating the work of another person or persons in any oral or written work without citing the appropriate source, and collaborating with someone else in an academic endeavor without acknowledging his or her contribution. Discussions are perfectly ok, but presenting the same work is unacceptable. -Knowingly allowing another student to represent your work as his or her own will also lead to cancellation of both students work. ** Late submissions will affect your grade or will lead to cancellation of your work.

9. Basic Reading List • Valacich, George & Hoffer ,Modern Systems Analysis and Design • valacich, George & Hoffer ,Essentials of System Analysis and Design • Donald Yeates and Tony Wakefield,System Analysis and Design • Kendall & Kendal ,System Analysis and Design

10. Best of Luck!!

11. System Analysis and Design 2: Introduction Program: BSCS II (Advent Semester – 2014)Lecturer: Rebecca AsiimweEmail: rasiimwe@technology.ucu.ac.ug

12. Course Overview Key Questions: • What is Systems Analysis & Design? • Why analysis and design? • Who is a Systems Analyst? • What are the skills and roles of an analyst?

13. What is system Analysis and Design (SAD)? • System Analysis: understanding and specifying in detail what an information system should do • With System Analysis more emphasis is given to understanding the details of an existing system or a proposed one and then deciding whether the proposed system is desirable or not and whether the existing system needs improvements. Thus, system analysis is the process of investigating a system, identifying problems, and using the information to recommend improvements to the system.

14. Systems Design System design : specifying in detail how the parts of an information system should be implemented. System design is the process of defining the architecture, components, modules, interfaces and data for a system to satisfy specified requirements.

15. Why is SAD important? For the Success of information systems Widely used in industry Career growth in IT- Lots of interesting and well paying jobs- systems analyst ( Senior positions) Increasing demand for system analysis skills To understand what the business requires from an information system

16. Systems Analyst • A systems analyst researches problems, plans solutions, recommends software and systems, and coordinates development to meet business or other requirements. • Are familiar with a variety of programming languages, operating systems, and computer hardware platforms. • Systems analysts write user requests into technical specifications

17. Systems Analyst • Studies the problem and needs of a business to determine how people, processes, data, communications and technology can best accomplish improvements for business • When a computer technology is used the analyst is responsible for; • Efficient capture of data • Flow of that data to computer • Processing and storage • Flow of useful and timely information back to business and its people

18. Roles of systems Analyst Three key roles Systems Analyst as a Consultant Systems analyst as Supporting expert Systems analyst as agent of change

19. Role of a systems analyst Investigate how information is used, handled and manipulated in an organization. Identity inefficiencies in the current system used by the organization e.g. delays, high operating costs, huge clerical effort. Analyze the results of the investigation that will lead to designing the system.

20. Role of a systems analyst … cont’d Design a specification of a new system which overcomes the inefficiencies and meets the organization objectives. Oversees the process of testing during the testing of the system. The analyst acts as a facilitator. She/he interfaces among many different types of people and facilitates the development of computer applications through these people.

21. Where do systems analysts work • System Analysts are found in most businesses • Information system Unit in the organization • Management consulting firms like Ernest &Young • Software houses like Microsoft corporation, IBM, Lotus

22. Job description System analysts are people who understand business and computing Transform business and information requirements of computer users into computer based technical solutions( system) implemented by computer programmers and other computer specialist

23. Which people work with the Analysts? System analyst would not exist without needs of their clients(users); end users and owners Programmers Database specialists Networking specialists Computer center specialists Hardware and software sales representatives

24. What does it take to become a successful analyst • Working knowledge of IS and Technology • Computer programming experience and expertise • General business knowledge • Problem solving skills • Interpersonal communication skills • Interpersonal relation skills • Flexibility and adaptability • Character and Ethics • System analysis and design skills

25. Analytical Skills of an Analyst Systems Thinking Organisational Knowledge Problem Identification Problem Analysing & Solving

26. Systems Thinking • Information systems are subsystems in larger organizational systems • Identification of a system leads to abstraction • From abstraction you can think about essential characteristics of a specific system • Abstraction allows analysts to gain insight into a specific system, to question assumptions, provide documentation and manipulate the system without disrupting the real situation

27. Organisational Knowledge Understanding of how organizations work Knowledge of specific functions and procedures of organization and departments How work officially gets done Internal policies Competitive and Regulatory Environment Organizational Strategies and Tactics

28. Problem Identification Problem: Difference between an existing situation and a desired situation. Identification is the process of defining differences. Differences are defined by comparing the current situation to the output of a model that predicts what the output of the final system/desired situation should be.

29. Problem Analysis & Solving Phases: • Intelligence • All relevant information is collected • Design • Alternatives are formulated • Choice • Best alternative solution is chosen • Implementation • Solution is put into practice

30. Technical Skills of Analyst Constant re-education is necessary as technology changes rapidly Understanding of a wide variety of technologies is required

31. Management Skills • Resource Management • Project Management • Risk Management • Change Management

32. Interpersonal Skills • Mastery of interpersonal skills is paramount to succeed as a Systems Analyst • Four types of skills: • Communication skills • Working alone and with a team • Facilitating groups • Managing expectations

33. Q & A