Business Systems Analysis W1

Discussion Question 1

Role of a System Analyst

List the primary roles of a business systems analyst within systems analysis and design process (see page 11 of the text book). Then pick one such role to describe it in greater detail. Systems analysts must also have ability to lead a team and manage a project. Discuss why effective team collaboration is important for the Systems Analyst.  Justify your answer using examples from your experience.  What are the consequences of a systems analyst with poor team building skills?  Provide justifications and citations for your responses.

Assignment 1

Proposal for a Business Information System

You will develop a PowerPoint proposal presentation for your plan for fulfilling a business need that would help the organization achieve its goals. Please note, you will use the same proposed business information system each week in presentations assignments and in your final paper in Week Five. The topic would be of your choice, however, some examples of topics are listed below (these are only examples, you should select a topic that you are personally interested in and have some knowledge of):

    An employee expenditure tracking system (tracking of trips, travel expenses, food costs, etc.)
    A health club membership system (for tracking members’ charges, visits, rental of equipment, etc.)
    An event planning system (conferences, seminars, parties) planning and follow up system (planning, announcing, follow up and reporting)
    A college admission system (registering applicants, charging fees, entering applicant data, generating reports and reminder letters)
    A Student Forum management system (allowing student membership, creating discussion topics and threads on courses, topics, etc.)

Your analysis content will be as specified in the chart below.  Include citations to support your points throughout the presentation.

The format of your PowerPoint presentation should be:

Slide 1:  Title of PowerPoint, Course, Instructor, Date Submitted, Student Name

Slides 2-4:  Describe a business organization for which you are proposing design of an information system. Perform a brief research on similar existing systems and provide their background information. Some areas to investigate and report in the research include availability of off-the-shelf software, required technology platforms, cost issues, type of technology used in existing systems, etc.

Slides 5-7:  Describe the business requirements of the proposed system. How would you elicit requirements of the system from the business information system stakeholders? Briefly discuss the functional requirements of the system. Describe the alternative system development methodologies (SDLC, prototyping, JAD, RAD, etc.) in the context of the proposed system and what would be the best approach for development.

Slides 8-9:  Management would have several other projects to consider when authorizing approval of the proposed system. Since most organizations have limited resources, you would have to make a pitch for the proposed system. Discuss why your proposal is the one that should be funded, how the system would help the organization meets its business and strategic goals, and identify other benefits the system would provide for the stakeholders.

Slide 10: Reference List

The Proposal of Business Information System PowerPoint

    Must have a minimum of 8 slides inclusive of speaker notes on each slide (not including title and references page slide) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
    Must include a separate title page with the following:
        Title of Power Point
        Student’s name
        Course name and number
        Instructor’s name
        Date submitted
    Must use at least three scholarly sources in addition to the course text.
        The Scholarly, Peer Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source for a particular assignment.
    Must document all sources in APA style.

Assignment 2

Organization as a System

Consider the organization you are currently working for or the one you have worked for in the past. Describe this organization as a system in a three page APA style paper (excluding title and reference pages). Discuss each of these concerning this system (Please see Definition of a System and its Parts in Chapter 1 of the text):

    What is the input to this system?
    What is the output?
    What is the boundary of the system?
    What are the components? And their interrelationships?
    What are the constraints?
    What is the purpose?
    What are the interfaces?
    And what is the environment?

Draw a diagram of this system (you can use Word or PowerPoint to draw a diagram).

In addition to the requirements above, your paper:

    Must be 900 word double-spaced (three pages) and use 12 point font.
    Must be formatted according to APA style.
    Must reference two scholarly resources in addition to the textbook.
    Must include a list of references written in APA format.