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Lesson 1. The World of the Modern Systems Analyst INSY 55: System Analysis and Design
1.2.6 Communication Support System (CSS)

CSS is an IS application that supports systems that allow employees to communicate with
each other and with customers and suppliers.

1.3 Required Skills of the Systems Analyst

Because of the complexity of business problems and the information systems that solve
them, a systems analyst needs a great deal of knowledge and many special skills, including
technical, business, and “people” knowledge and skills.

1.3.1 Technical Knowledge and Skills
These are the most obvious areas of expertise: computers, peripheral devices,
communications networks, databases, programming languages, and operating systems. Analysts
also use tools and techniques to build systems:
o Tools: Software products used to help develop analysis and design specifications and
completed system components.
Examples include development packages like Microsoft Access or Visual Age, and
PowerBuilder, integrated development environments (IDEs), computer-aided system
engineering (CASE) tools, program code generators, documentation generating tools,
testing tools, project management tools, etc.

o Techniques: Strategies for completing specific system development activities.
Examples include project planning techniques, systems analysis techniques, systems
design techniques, system construction and implementation techniques, and system
support techniques.

Some techniques cover completing smaller parts of systems analysis or systems design,
such as data modeling techniques, process modeling techniques, interviewing techniques,
feasibility studies, interface design techniques, database design techniques, etc.

1.3.2 Business Knowledge and Skills
Systems analysts need to understand business organizations and how they operate, since
they are solving problems for them. This is why the MIS or CIS majors are typically majors in a
business degree.
It is important to understand the business functions performed and how organizations are
structured and managed, including finance, accounting, manufacturing, marketing, and other
business functions.

It is also important to understand the specific organization involved. What does it do?
What makes it successful? What are its strategies and plans? What are its traditions and values?
A system solution is tailored specifically for the needs of a specific organization.

1.3.3 People Knowledge and Skills
Analysts work with others to develop systems, including employees from various areas of
the company and with other system developers. Therefore, people knowledge and skills are
crucial. Analysts need to understand how people think, learn, react to change, communicate, and
work.

1.3.4 Preparing for a Career as Systems Analyst
The principal role in systems project is played by the systems analyst. What does it take to
become a successful systems analyst?

Mr. John Mark L. Dula