System Analysis and Design - Analysis Methodologies

Learning Outcomes

LO1 Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the traditional and agile systems analysis methodologies.

Assignment Brief and Guidance:

Case Study One

You are employed as a System Analyst for a large IT consultancy company. The company has been approached by a computer repair company, PipFix which has recently branched out into outsourced 1st to 3rd line helpdesk support for its customers. As part of their duties employees are required to correctly fill in all the necessary electronic forms and paperwork associated with this when carrying out helpdesk requests. After an internal review by the company the current system has been identified as being both heavily time consuming and inaccurate. Time and accuracy issues have also been found to surround the analysis and reporting of helpdesk data. A breakdown of the current procedures used by both customers and helpdesk is detailed below

• Customers use an online form to log hardware and software support requests. Information logged will include customer, location, equipment, hardware, software and request details.

• From the form each request is stored within a single table flat file database at the support companys headquarters.

• The Helpdesk manager reviews this database frequently and assigns requests to individual staff members based upon request type, level of responsibility, skills and work load.

• On collection of the request, helpdesk technicians access an electronic job card and copies in the relevant details regarding the request. The support is then undertaken and all outcomes recorded on the job card.

• Upon completion this is then stored in folders organised by customer business name and the request is signed off within the current flat file database.

• On a monthly basis the work carried out is reviewed by the Helpdesk manager the findings reported at the monthly managers meeting.

Case Study Two

You are employed as a System Analyst for a large IT consultancy company. The company has been approached by a double glazing company called Double Pane which is expanding rapidly due to the huge growth in demand of their products and services from building contractors. New housing developments are growing as a result of the government's agenda to regenerate the old disused factory complexes outside the city of Bedford Falls.

Double Pane has, to date, managed their business by using a computerised system which was developed by a college student five years ago. The system is now too slow and no system documentation was produced when it was implemented so changes to the system cannot be made easily. The CEO of Double Pane feels that their business requirements have changed, and they need to invest in new technology and a new system in order to grow and manage their business successfully.

Double Pane currently has sales agents who follow up sales leads which are mainly generated from their marketing material and calls taken by staff in the company office. Sales are also generated by the agents who visit building contractors. Each visit from a lead results in a quote and some of these quotes result in an actual sale, either to supply only, or to supply and install.

Double Pane supplies a huge range of windows and doors. They buy most of their products in bulk from a few large manufacturers and store the products in their warehouse. They also make some bespoke windows and doors in their workshop in the warehouse.

Your company has accepted the contract to develop a system for Double Pane and to provide the necessary technology to run the system. Your brief is to analyse system element of the contract from Double Pane.

You have been asked by your manager to investigate the system requirements; and analyse the system.

One of the requirements of the contract is that user and technical documentation be made available to Double Pane.

NB: Any assumptions made regarding the above scenario should be included within the appendix.

Task

You work as a systems analyst for a business consultancy company which has won the contract to develop the new system. You work with many other analysts as part of a development team.

The client has a small systems development team which in the past has been solely responsible for all development work. The CEO of the company feels that the development team has not been outward looking and wants a fresh approach for the new system. The in-house team will work alongside analysts and developers from your consultancy company who will lead the project.

You will be project managing the analysis and design stage of the new system. Your first task is to update the in-house team on the developments in new methodologies used to analyse systems. Most of the in-house team use only the more traditional approaches and few are fully aware of the agile methodologies which are growing in popularity.

Your task is to produce a written report which will cover the following:

1. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the traditional and agile systems analysis methodologies. You must include at least four variations of agile methodologies in your consideration.

2. As a project manager, you are keen to get the team to appreciate the similarities and differences between the two methodologies. You will compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of the traditional and agile systems analysis methodologies in your report.

The head of information systems, for the client company, would like to know about implications on the department if there are changes in the approach to analysis. You will produce a separate report for the head of information systems, which provides a critical evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the traditional and agile systems analysis methodologies. This will include the transition problems faced by organisations that move from the traditional to the agile approach, so that the transition can be prepared for and managed if the current approach changes.

Attachment:- System Analysis and Design.rar