Systems analysis has a broad definition depending on where it is being applied. Systems are found nearly in all fields of study. Interacting entities are usually studied in systems analysis with the most widely and commonly known is the system analysis in computer and computing technology (Bentley, 2005). A course of action that is relatively better when making decisions demands the use of a well guided systems analysis.
It can also be defined as the procedure which entails breaking down into smaller ones for purposes of understanding and expedited execution. The whole part of a component can be the system in this case. Systems analysis in business language can be defined as a systematic inquiry conducted to assist someone or organization in identifying the best approach towards solving a problem which they ought not to have made on their individual capacity. It also involves specific way of performing a task and shedding more light through a systematic approach in a study of interacting entities. Several elements are studied to bring overall analysis of the whole subject.
Systems analysis is used in most all fields where activities involved in developing new ideas are involved. Through this analysis, the effective and efficiency of a system can be realized which can then assist in strategizing and making desired changes to meet the expected results (Bentley, 2005). Just like the case of doctors, they analyze the body systems of their patients before initiating the course of action and the treatments to establish. System analysis has become a common practice in everyday life among the specialist in establishing the course of action. For effective system analysis, certain systematic procedure must be followed to shed more light on the problem to be addressed as discussed below.
Systems analyst initiate research works in addressing issues to equip them with proper knowledge about the problem to be addressed. Conducting a research during systems analysis is important for the analysts will have more information concerning the issue to be tackled and this will help in designing ways to respond to it (Bentley, 2005). Research will involve the collection of information on how the current system works which will be used in designing appropriate measure and steps to be taken. For instance, system analyst may do a research about a particular organization to identify the weaknesses in-terms of performance. Through initiating research, analysts are able to collect information which will be used in developing action plans.
After conducting research about the problem to be addressed, data are analyzed to shed more light and to decide the next step of action or procedure. Analysis involves a detailed study of various operations that are involved and their relationship with the external systems during systems analysis (Bentley, 2005). Analysis would also include the specifications of what the new system is to accomplish based on the organization’s requirements and their earlier strategies. Analysis of the findings facilitates decision making in an organization since it comes with the conclusion and appropriate recommendation used to address the problem. Analysis involves examining how the current systems work and identifying the problem which comes with it. Systems analysis will outline the functional hierarchy which shows the roles to be performed by different organizational entities in the new system in relation to each other.
Design is also an integral part of systems analysis. It involves devising and developing new systems which may be used to fix the current problem (Bentley, 2005). In most cases, the recommendations of the system analyst is part and parcel of the design since it provided the platform through which decision making is done. Moreover, design in system analysis is also the methodology which analysts use in addressing issues at hand which require a given system to be analyzed. Systems analyst use design in restructuring the system to address the issue which calls for attention within the system.
After designing, what follows is production and testing. System analysts produce mechanisms to be put in place to correct the system from the previous problems or characteristics which were not pleasant to the organization(Bentley, 2005). The created system is then tested to see if they meet the expectation of the organization before it is adopted or documented. Production and testing is the putting into practice the analyst recommendations to verify their efficiency in addressing the issue which called for system analysis. For a complete system analysis to be realized, the problem should be addressed by the analyst to bring the desired outcome (Bentley, 2005).
Systems are evaluated to establish if they meet the organizational expectation. In most cases, a system analysis is initiated in the organization to improve their efficiency for maximum productivity. Evaluation of the system will ensure the organizational expectation is met before the final adoption and documentation. During the systems evaluation, the expected outcome should be met through being addressed by the analysis process since it was the core objective(Bentley, 2005). Failure to meet the organizational expectations may result to redefining and initiating the whole system analysis process through conducting research to establish the underlying factors and getting to the roots causes of the issue at hand take into account the number of issues which were not initially addressed.
Implementation is the last stage in system analysis where theory is turned into practice. During the implementation, the organization decides how to execute the new systems and all that is included in it. Implementation stage involves the adoption of the system analysis report and putting it into practice in the organization. For the system analysis to be implemented, organizations target objective must be achieved by the results which will shed more light on the issue which called for action (Bentley, 2005). Various systems are put in place to assist in the implementation whole process following the findings of the analysts to address the concerns of the organization.
In recap, it is imperative to observe that different systems in organizations need to be analyzed to increase their effectiveness in their operations. Most organizations have different complex structures which need to be understood through being analyzed. For instance, the operations of various departments in an institution which may undermine their performance leading to slow organizational growth can be analyzed to reveal more information on how it can be improved. System analysis can be employed in various sectors including, establishing the relationship between the high death rates associated with the road transport worldwide. This can be eased by analyzing the road network as system to identify the relationships which exist. Any given systems analysis is meant to address a pressing issue at hand which calls for more information and development of strategies for better understanding. Organizational heads should resort to system analysis for better understanding of their organizational performance and operations.
Reference
Bentley, W. (2005). Systems Analysis and Design Methods (7th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.