IMS1805
Systems Analysis
Review
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1. Analysing Analysis
• To Analyse:
“To take to pieces; to separate, distinguish, or
ascertain the elements of anything complex, as a
material collection, chemical compound, light,
sound, a miscellaneous list, account or statement, a
sentence, phrase, word, conception, feeling, action,
process, etc.”
(OED online)
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Informal analysis versus formal
analysis
Informal analysis
• Intuitive, instinctive
• Based on learned
behaviour/previous
experiences
• Inductive
• Internalised
• Techniques used but not
explicit
Formal analysis
• Rational, structured
• Based on formal logic
• Deductive
• Externalised
• Based on techniques
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Key elements of analysis
• 1. Observation: Gathering information
about the object/situation
• 2. Perception: Choosing what is important
and what isn’t; focussing on the key factors
within the context of the problem
environment
• 3. Explanation/Comprehension: Identifying
relationships and patterns; establishing
causal relationships and connections
• 4. Representation: Describing and
modelling the object of analysis
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The need for formal analysis:
Problem-related factors
• Complexity of the situation:
•
Many elements; many inter-relationships, complex
inter-relationships; many possible outcomes; etc
• Importance of getting it exactly right
• Need to communicate our understanding of the
situation to others
• Changing environment; we want to make sure
our current understanding will continue to be
accurate
• Using tools to help automate parts of the
analysis
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Purposes of analysis
• Analysis for broad understanding:
•
What is happening/needs to happen?
•
Why/how/when/who/etc?
• Analysis for specification
•
What is happening/needs to happen?
•
Why/how/when/who/etc?
• Differences in scope and precision
• Implications for analytical techniques
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Discrimination/selection in analysis
• People differ in the way they select things for
analysis
• This occurs in all phases of analysis:
• Selective perception
• Selective explanation
• Selective representation
• Can ALL things be seen/explained/represented
in more than one way?
• (Is there ANYTHING which can be seen in only
one way?!)
• Whose way is the ‘right’ way?
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2. The IS Analytical environment
• Types of situations requiring formal analysis –
see newspapers for examples
• Need/purpose/objective of formal analysis –
problem-solving/opportunities/comprehension/
persuasion/etc?
• Types of formal analysis – numerical, logical,
historical, textual, visual, philosophical, etc
• Content/structure/techniques of analysis
• Consider case studies covered in tutes
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Some elements of Information
Systems
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Objectives
Organisations/individuals
Information needs
Information
Information processes
Information technology
Inter-relationships between elements (systems
aspects)
• In studying IS, any of these things (or others) may
be an appropriate basis for doing an analysis
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Components of an Information System
Things
Data/
Information
People
Connections/linkages
Events
Other systems
Rules/regulations/
standards
Actions/activities
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Technology, Information Systems and
Analysis
• The capabilities of computers
•
•
•
•
Input
Storage
Processing
Output
• The limitations of computers
•
•
•
•
Common sense?
Judgement?
Flexibility?
Ability to deal with the unexpected?
• Implications for analysis and analytical
techniques
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3. Some ways of analysing an
information system
• Sequence (of processes/events)
• Hierarchy (of processes/events/objects)
• Movement of data/information (between
people/processes/things/events)
• Relationships (between things and people)
• Attitudes/feelings/motivations of people
(towards processes/events/things)
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Sequence
Student inserts card
Student ID
BIS
Students
Look for student ID
In BIS student file
Is student
ID valid?
No
Display
red light
Yes
Show green light
and unlock door
End
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Hierarchy
Calculate overall
result
Calculate exam mark
Calculate overall
assignment mark
Calculate first
assignment mark
Apply special
consideration
Calculate second
assignment mark
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Data movement
Identification
details
Read
student
details
ID
Student
Valid
student IDs
Validate
Student ID
BIS Students
Authorisation
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Object (and/or person) inter-relationships
Student
Enrols
in
Course
comprises
Unit
runs
Unit leader
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Person-process inter-relationships
Timetable unit
Enrol in unit
Lecturer
Enrol in tutorials
Timetable exam
Student
Submit results
Admin officer
Publish results
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Attitudes
???????????
Blah blah
blah …!
Lectures
Lecturer
Students
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