Pamantasan ng Cabuyao

College of Engineering
1ST SEMESTER & A.Y. 2020-2021

MODULE

4 SYSTEM ANALYST

INTRODUCTION

This module provides information regarding a systems analyst investigates, analyzes, designs,
develops, installs, evaluates, and maintains a company’s information systems. To perform those
tasks, a systems analyst constantly interacts with users and managers within and outside the
company. On large projects, the analyst works as a member of an IT department team; on
smaller assignments, he or she might work alone.

Most companies assign systems analysts to the IT department, but analysts also can report to a
specific user area such as marketing, sales, or accounting. As a member of a functional team,
an analyst is better able to understand the needs of that group and how information systems
support the department’s mission. Smaller companies often use consultants to perform systems
analysis work on an as-needed BA/SA as is.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this module you should be able to:

1. Understand that the successful systems analyst needs to have a broad

understanding of organizations, organizational culture, organizational change,
organizational operations, and business processes.
2. Explain the key role of a systems analyst in business.
3. Explain why ethical behavior is crucial for a systems analyst’s career
4. Describe various job titles in the field and places of employment where analysis and
design work is done
PRE-TEST

You may want the students to test their knowledge/understanding of the unit’s topics before they
start (this helps students to know where they should focus their efforts). Can be self-check or
direct the student to an online quiz/survey/exercise.

4.1] PROBLEMS OF ANALYSIS

We can clearly see that the systems analyst faces a lot of challenges in his/her role in building
an IS for an organization. However, these challenges are not insurmountable. Often a finished
IS is well executed by the systems analyst but does not meet the specific needs of the end
users and it is the systems analyst that often gets the finger pointed at by the users for this
problem no matter how well constructed the IS is.
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The systems analyst is the person who has to meet all the eventual users of the IS and find out
exactly what it is they want to get from the finished system. Challenges can start to arise here
such as if users want differing functions with the IS.

This can give the analyst a headache in so far as the analyst will have to disappoint one if not
more end users by going with one idea over another or perhaps coming up with one solution
that incorporates parts of the ideas from all the end users. Some end users may be difficult to
deal with within an organization in that it can be hard to find out what it is they want from the
system because of communication problems and unwillingness to participate in the
requirements gathering stage.

As the systems analyst has this huge amount of responsibility and the fact that there is a huge
amount of money invested in these systems such as the $400 million Ford pumped into their
purchasing system, the systems analyst is usually the one that gets blamed for problems with
the IS unless of course it is a simple programming error.

As well as not meeting all the end user’s requirements, the system could also be the victim of a
cyber-attack and thus the systems analyst may also come under scrutiny if the correct system
security architecture was not put in place by the analyst. These are just some of the challenges
the system analyst faces in their role.

“There will always be faults in any individual, even the most effective and successful. If
you focus only on avoiding faults to the extent that you ignore your strengths and their
development, you will be making a major mistake. On the flip side, if you have a fault, try
to fix it. Don’t ignore it using the excuse that you’re developing your strengths.”

– Dr. William Cohen”

Here are some common problems encountered by analyst especially in the field:

Challenge ♯1: Paralysis By Analysis

The very nature of our job implies that we are faced with a massive amount of information to
process within a short period of time. This can easily result in a situation where the SA (System
Analyst) does not know where to start or stop. Over-analyzing occurs when the SA:

 Asks questions repeatedly to get clarification

 Seeks to confirm requirements again and again
 Stretches the analysis phase instead of approaching it iteratively
 Develops more artifacts and models than required.

Solution: Analysis should be an iterative process as opposed to a long, drawn-out process of

trying to clarify all requirements upfront. Personal organization skills like prioritization and time
management come into play here. The SA should filter out unnecessary detail and present only
the information that is necessary to produce a working solution.
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Challenge ♯2: Knowledge and Skills

Business Analysts often have to work in the twin worlds of business and technology. These are
2 vast fields with multiple areas that the SA is expected to keep a tab on. Focusing on one
aspect will be to the detriment of another.

 How does the SA with a technical BA/SA background attain an acceptable level of
competency in the business domain?
 How does the SA with a business BA/SA background attain some level of competency in
the technical domain?
 How does the SA keep up with expected changes when moving from a structured
systems analysis & design environment to one BA/SA based on object-oriented analysis
and design?
 How does the SA manage the transition from a Waterfall to an Agile/Iterative
methodology?

There’s always a learning curve to contend with.

Solution: SAs should continually strive from day one, to learn about the business, the industry
and available technology. Certifications in specialist areas can also increase the SA’s
knowledge and command of the domain area. It’s not an easy journey and there’s no one path
to getting the knowledge and skills you need. The challenge is real but can be surmounted with
time, training and experience.

For hiring companies, finding the right SA can also be challenging. An employee should not be
thrust into the SA role without the right tools or training. SAs should be provided with the
opportunity to nurture their skills and a clearly defined career path they can aspire towards.

Challenge ♯3: Power

As Scott Ambler stated in his article “Rethinking the Role of System Analysts: Towards Agile
System Analysts”, SAs often have undue influence over project decisions. As SAs, our role in
interfacing with business users to elicit requirements and sort through masses of information is
critical to project success.

 How do we ensure that we do not become a BA/SA barrier between IT and the
business?
 How do we ensure that facts or requirements are not misinterpreted?
 How do we eliminate the bias that comes from pre-conceived notions?
 How do we avoid favoring certain requirements while playing down others?

Solution: Ethics requires an understanding of what is right and wrong. All decisions made
should be obvious to stakeholders and the reason for these decisions should be transparent.
BA/SAs should also ensure that stakeholders are treated fairly. Fair treatment implies that
stakeholders are not deceived in any way about the outcome of decisions.
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Challenge ♯4: Uncooperative stakeholders

On the flip side of information overload is a situation where stakeholders clearly do not want to
share information with the business analyst. The SA should not take this personal. A
stakeholder can be uncooperative for a number of reasons as illustrated below:

SOME REASONS WHY STAKEHOLDERS ARE UNCOOPERATIVE

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Solution: If one is with an uncooperative stakeholder who clearly didn’t want to share any
information concerning how she/he did her/his work. He/She kept shifting the goal post and
would not schedule a firm date to meet. After several unsuccessful attempts at getting his/her to
commit to a date, the analyst should asked his/her for the templates/documents he/she made
use of. He/She didn't have any choice but to share these documents, which contained most of
the information analyst needed. If a stakeholder is uncooperative, altering your technique or
approach might help.

If you are able to establish rapport with stakeholders by identifying a common area of interest,
they’re more likely to be open to sharing information. Begin each meeting or workshop session
with an icebreaker to ensure that everyone is completely relaxed and clear on the objectives
and benefits of the project.

As time goes on, share success stories and anticipated benefits of the project with stakeholders
to gain their trust, confidence and support. As a last resort, if the stakeholder is still not
forthcoming, consider escalating to a higher authority who might be able to encourage the
desired behavior.

4.2] SYSTEM ANALYST DEFINITION

What really defines a system analyst? As a systems analyst, you'll use computers and related
systems to design new IT solutions, modify, enhance or adapt existing systems and integrate
new features or improvements, all with the aim of improving business efficiency and
productivity.

You must have a high level of technical expertise and clear insights into current business
practices. Depending on the employer, clients may be internal, e.g. departments within the
same organization, or external.

You will:

 examine existing IT systems and business models

 analyses systems requirements
 undertake product development
 implement, configure and test feasible solutions.

Your role is to liaise between and report to internal and external clients and stakeholders,
including colleagues and developers, throughout the development process.

You will conduct a cost analysis and agree the timeframe to implement the proposed solution.
You specify and shape the system requirements and operations, the user interface and output
and present the proposal to the client. You will work closely with the client team, including
commercial managers and software developers, during both the report and implementation
phase.

Job titles in the IT sector are fluid so look closely at job descriptions rather than job titles.
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Fourth generation languages (4GL) and object-orientated programming simplify technological
language, so traditional boundaries between systems or business analysis and programming
have eroded. Overlap with project management is also common.

Systems analysts need to know about computers and programming, but they also should know
and have a desire to use computers to solve problems. The solution to the “problem” is
generally a new information system. Systems analysts solve problems for business
organizations, such as the following:

 Problems getting orders from customers twenty-four hours a day.

 Problems planning production amounts to satisfy customer demands.
 Problems reducing inventory holding costs and obtaining supplier discounts.
 Problems anticipating customer needs by tracking buyer trends.
 Problems limiting complete information about the organization’s financial position.
 Problems limiting employee flexibility in benefits plans.

A systems analyst uses a generic problem-solving approach. The analyst uses a series of steps
to systematically understand and solve the problem. These steps include the following:

 Research and understand the problem.

 Verify that the benefits of solving the problem outweigh the costs.
 Define the requirements for solving the problem.
 Develop a set of possible solutions (alternatives).
 Decide which solution is the best, and make a recommendation.
 Define the details of the chosen solution.
 Implement the solution.
 Monitor to make sure the desired results are obtained.

When a new information system will be a solution to a problem, it is important to understand the
problem itself. This is the essence of systems analysis—understanding and defining what it
takes to solve the problem. A business case must be made for solving the problem—if the
benefits don’t outweigh the costs, then why should the problem be solved at all?

There are often many alternative solutions that will solve the problem. These solutions must be
identified and carefully evaluated. A solution is chosen BA/SAsed on a variety of factors. The
best solution has the greatest benefits and the fewest risks. The chosen solution is defined in
detail, and then it is implemented.

While the new system is being used, it is important to monitor the new system to be sure it is
doing what is needed to solve the problem. Over time, the new system will need to be supported
and perhaps modified.
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4.3] ADVANTAGE AND LIMITATION

Systems Analysts analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems
to implement and improve computer systems. Analyze user requirements, procedures, and
problems to automate or improve existing systems and review computer system capabilities,
workflow, and scheduling limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available
software. They also test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including
coordinating the installation of computer programs and systems.

On a daily BA/SA basis, Systems Analysts use object-oriented programming languages, as well
as client and server applications development processes and multimedia and internet
technology. They review and analyze computer printouts and performance indicators to locate
code problems, and correct errors by correcting codes.

A typical day for a Computer Systems Analyst will also include:

 Use the computer in the analysis and solution of business problems, such as
development of integrated production and inventory control and cost analysis systems.
 Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer related problems, such as
malfunctions and program problems.
 Specify inputs accessed by the system and plan the distribution and use of the results.
 Test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the
installation of computer programs and systems.
 Troubleshoot program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning.

The systems analyst is in a unique position since he or she acts as a liaison between the
business side of the house and the IT side of the house and collaborates with end users and IT
staff to evaluate computer systems and design new ones. Systems analysts help turn business
goals into technical requirements. Most of the time, the system analysts aren't the ones turning
a wrench or writing code, but they know enough about those things to speak intelligently to the
people who do.

A System Analyst job description should highlight the need for accuracy, logic and an ability to
communicate complex ideas to others.

So, what are the needs to become one?

Knowledge, Skills, and Education

A successful systems analyst needs technical knowledge, oral and written communication skills,
an understanding of business operations, and critical thinking skills. Educational requirements
vary widely depending on the company and the position. In a rapidly changing IT marketplace, a
systems analyst must manage his or her own career and have a plan for professional
development.
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TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

State-of-the-art knowledge is extremely important in a rapidly changing business and technical

environment. The Internet offers numerous opportunities to update technical knowledge and
skills. Many sites, such as the one shown in Figure 1-34 offer a convenient way for IT
professionals to learn about technical developments, exchange experiences, and get answers
to questions. Analysts also maintain their skills by attending training courses, both on-site and
online. Networking with colleagues is another way to keep up with new developments, and
membership in professional associations also is important

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

A systems analyst needs strong oral and written communication skills, and the ability to interact
with people at all levels, from operational staff to senior executives. Often, the analyst must
work with people outside the company, such as software and hardware vendors, customers,
and government officials. Analysts often coordinate IT project teams, where they use
communication skills to guide and motivate team members.

BUSINESS SKILLS

A systems analyst works closely with managers, supervisors, and operational employees. To be
effective, he or she must understand business operations and processes, communicate clearly,
and translate business needs into requirements that can be understood by programmers and
systems developers. A successful analyst is business-oriented, curious, comfortable with
financial tools, and able to see the big picture.

He / She should be able to describes some BA/SAsic concepts, including strategic planning,
SWOT analysis, and feasibility tests. In addition, the Systems Analyst’s Toolkit, which explains
communication and financial tools that can help analysts handle business-related tasks.

CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

Although no standard definition exists, most educators agree that critical thinking skills include
the ability to compare, classify, evaluate, recognize patterns, analyze cause-and-effect, and
apply logic. Critical thinkers often use a what-if approach, and they have the ability to evaluate
their own thinking and reasoning. Critical thinking skills are valuable in the IT industry, where
employers seek job candidates who can demonstrate these skills and bring them to the
workplace.
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EDUCATION

Companies typically require systems analysts to have a college degree in information systems,
computer science, or business, and some IT experience usually is required. For higher-level
positions, many companies require an advanced degree. Sometimes, educational requirements
can be waived if a candidate has significant experience, skills, or professional certifications. Part
D of the Systems Analyst’s Toolkit describes many valuable IT resources for personal and
professional development.

Certification

Many hardware and software companies offer certification for IT professionals. Certification
verifies that an individual demonstrated a certain level of knowledge and skill on a standardized
test. Certification is an excellent way for IT professionals to learn new skills and gain recognition
for their efforts. Although certification does not guarantee competence or ability, many
companies regard certification as an important credential for hiring or promotion.

You can learn more about certification by visiting the Web sites of individual companies such as
Microsoft, Cisco Systems, Sun Microsystems, and Novell.

In addition to traditional hardware and software certifications, some firms are exploring ways to
assess critical thinking skills. These skills include perception, organization, analysis, problem-
solving, and decision-making. Whether or not formal certification is involved, these skills are
extremely valuable to IT professionals and the employers who hire them.

Career Opportunities

The demand for systems analysts is expected to remain strong. Companies will need systems
analysts to apply new information technology, and the explosion in e-commerce will fuel IT job
growth. The systems analyst position is a challenging and rewarding one that can lead to a top
management position. With an understanding of technical and business issues, a systems
analyst has an unlimited horizon. Many companies have presidents and senior managers who
started in IT departments as systems analysts.

The responsibilities of a systems analyst at a small firm are different from those at a large
corporation.

 Would you be better off at a small or large company?

 Where will you find the best opportunity for experience and professional growth?
 Each person looks for different rewards in a job. What will be important to you?
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JOB TITLES

First, do not rely on job titles alone. Some positions are called systems analysts, but involve
only programming or technical support. In other cases, systems analyst responsibilities are
found in positions titled computer specialist, programmer, programmer/analyst, systems
designer, software engineer, and various others. Be sure the responsibilities of the job are
stated clearly when you consider a position.

COMPANY ORGANIZATION

Find out all you can about the company and where the IT department fits in the organization
chart. Where are IT functions performed, and by whom? A firm might have a central IT group,
but decentralize the systems development function. This situation sometimes occurs in large
conglomerates, where the parent company consolidates information that actually is developed
and managed at the subsidiary level. Where would you rather work?

COMPANY SIZE

If you like more variety, a smaller firm might suit you best. If you want to specialize, however,
then consider a larger company with state-of-the-art systems. Although you might have more
responsibility in a smaller company, the promotional opportunities and financial rewards often
are greater in larger companies. You also might want to consider working as an independent
consultant, either on your own or with others. Many consulting firms have been successful in
offering their services to smaller business enterprises that do not have the expertise to handle
systems development on their own.

CORPORATE CULTURE

In addition to having goals, methods, and information systems requirements, every firm has an
underlying corporate culture. A corporate culture is the set of beliefs, rules, traditions, values,
and attitudes that define a company and influence its way of doing business. To be successful,
a systems analyst must understand the corporate culture and how it affects the way information
is managed. Companies sometimes include statements about corporate culture in their mission
statements

SALARY, LOCATION, AND FUTURE GROWTH

Finally, consider salary, location, and the company’s prospects for future growth and success.
Think about your impressions of the company and the people you met during your interviews.
Most important, review your short- and long-term goals very carefully before deciding which
position is best for you.
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What about some limitations of an analyst?

In the ever changing and fast paced landscape of Information technology the role of Business
Analyst (BA/SA) or a System Analyst (SA) is seen as emerging trend across its various
functions. In the past organizations faced varying degrees of challenges trying to deal with a
multi-disciplinary technology focused team. When a solution was to be drafted it was observed
that the technology focused team was ill equipped to face the business side challenges and so
serious shortcomings in the system arose during the design and implementation phase of
projects. Reason being this role was mostly performed by technology oriented people. Business
knowledge was usually not strong of these individuals.

Several questions about the limitations of the skills of the professionals arose, among the more
pertinent ones are:

 How does the role of Business Analyst add value to the organization?
 What are the limitations of a Systems Analyst?
 What a Business Analyst can do and what System Analyst cannot do.
 Why a Business Analyst with few additional skills can deliver value rather than a
Technology-role that most of the time waste money in doing a large project that does not
add value to business.

Typical System Analyst Role

Before we discuss the role of a Business Analyst (BA) / System Analyst (SA) , we have to first
agree/settle on what a typical role of a technology-focused (systems) Analyst is and what are
the actual limitations of his role

Suppose – We have a good Software development team of a reasonable size. This team has
the ability to develop and write complex code and produce challenging applications, for a
diverse range of customers coming from a broad spectrum of the Industry.

The Customer explains his objectives (primary and secondary) the application is going to fulfill
to the Software development team. This SW-Development-Team works hard for the designated
time period and develops the software that does not completely satisfy customer or comply with
his business needs.

Customer says - “You did not understand our requirements. This software does not fulfill our
business needs”. SW-Development-Team put all their sincere efforts but the output is not
acceptable to customer. Is there something wrong with this approach?

There are few things that Software Engineers (Software Experts) have learned in last 10-15
years by their experience in the IT industry or experience with customers. They understand that
the New role must have skills of social sciences coupled with that of computer science.
Following are some observations.

1- Customer cannot tell what they need

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Customers can tell what their problem is, and express their superficial desire against that
problem but they cannot tell what (solution) will solve their problem. A Systems Analyst is a
technology-focused person. “Tell us what you need; we will develop a solution for you”. This is a
typical approach of a Systems Analyst.

There must be a ROLE that can dig deep-into the customer’s need. The word elicitation has
replaced requirements these days. BA/SA is responsible for eliciting the actual needs of
stakeholders, not simply their expressed desires. In many cases, the BA/SA will also work to
facilitate communication between organizational units. Systems Analyst approach is more on
the lines of Requirement-perspective. Whereas the new ROLE demands that requirements
should be from a Solution-perspective. Solution perspective means that all requirements must
be aligned with (business) need.

2- Requirements are Complex and multi-dimensional

Second problem is requirements are not simple anymore as it used to be 10 years ago. “You tell
us we will develop solution for you”. Requirements are complex and multi-dimension. You just
cannot focus on features and functionality explained by users. That is only ONE component of
requirement. Other components of any solutions could be

 People (who are running the software)

 Process (that will be automated through this Software)
 Environment under which this Software will be executed
 Infrastructure required for this Software (networking, server, etc)
 User Interface (desktop, Internet, Smart Phone)
 Software interface with existing software or Hardware

It is very important to have right solution scope against a business need. That solution must
address all the components.

3- Requirement Development Process is human and communication intensive

Taking requirement is

a) Human Intensive

b) Communication Intensive

If you are weak in these two skills, perhaps you cannot handle customer and your development
teams. Possibility is you cannot get complete and stable requirements. Whoever is taking
requirements must have strong skills in both. These skills are social science. That means
system analyst must learn social sciences as well for this role.

4- Cannot communicate effectively without understanding business

Last point is Business Knowledge. It is very difficult for computer science graduate to focus on
business problem. For a Systems Analyst, it is difficult to understand business terminologies,
because of his/her technology BA/SA background. You cannot communicate when somebody is
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speaking different language (Business) than yours (technology). You have to speak business
language.

Software industry has realized, anybody who is collecting business requirements needs to
understand business domain well. BA/SA must be knowledgeable in that domain; he/she can
interact with users in their terminology.

4.4] RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SYSTEM ANALYST

Roles of System Analysts

Act as a middleman and an architect.

System analysts liaise between customers, IT persons, and stakeholders to develop information
systems capable of delivering business requirements. The integration of technology into
business requirements has to be futuristic. It means systems analysts have to develop
information systems that are easy to upgrade in the future if the need arises. They have to
design an information system architecture according to the user’s requirements which acts as a
blueprint for the programmers. For that, they need to know exactly what users want and also
have to build good relationships and rapport with them to understand their requirements as well
as convey correct and complete information to the development team.

Agent of Change

System analysts are also known as an agent of change since they use different approaches to
bring changes in the information system that can facilitate business operations. The biggest
hurdle for the role of system analysts is the skepticism of people about accepting the change.
So, they prefer users' participation for easy exchange of information. When stakeholders,
management, and clients are ready for the technological changes, a final system is made.

Investigator and Monitor

In defining a problem or finding reasons for the failure in a system, system analysts play a role
of an investigator. They gather information to determine or investigate why an existing system is
not working well and is facing problems and what changes should be implemented to solve
these issues. After creating alternative solutions for problems, system analysts monitor the
information system regularly and take steps to avoid increased costs, and the waste of
resources and time.

Motivator and Sales Person

Effective user participation and training with proper motivation to use the system are important
factors to achieve system acceptance. Another important role that system analysts play is of a
salesperson, which involves selling a system to the users. This process takes place at each
stage of system life cycle. To play the role of a motivator and sales person, system analysts
have to hold good communication, sales, and persuasion skills.
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Responsibilities of System Analysts:

Defining User Requirements

The basic and most important step for system analysts is to understand user’s requirements
clearly. To get the hang, they have to interview users and prepare questionnaires, observe the
current system, and plan system configuration. This phase is important to understand how the
current system functions and what users want from the new systems. Participation of users is
needed so that their views related to the system are taken into consideration to build the new
one.

Prioritizing Requirements

Large systems do have various requirements which are not equal and are, therefore, not
possible for the team to implement all of them at the same time. Also, various types of users in
the organization have different types of information needs that cannot be satisfied due to
various constraints such as limited resources, budgetary constraints, time sensitivity, feasibility,
etc. Therefore, system analysts have to prioritize users’ requirements using their social and
analytical skills.

Gathering Data and Facts

System analysts act as researchers and gather various facts and data with the active
cooperation from the users of the system. They consult users from time to time to obtain
necessary information related to the system, and whether there is any last-minute requirement.
This process is important because analysts have to organize and document information into
functional specification to solve to develop a system.

Analyzing the Problem

After gathering data and facts, system analysts analyze various problems, their causes, and
effects on business operations. They analyze and identify the requirements to be fulfilled
through technological means. They remove unnecessary data, focus on the important ones, and
change or modify the working system accordingly to make it more user-friendly.

Solving Problems

System analysts help IT users to solve information problems by using different approaches in
which one good source of solutions is to take suggestions from others. With this approach,
analysts develop and evaluate a set of possible alternative solutions and then compare and
choose the best one to implement. They have to compare the alternative solutions on the basis
of cost, benefits, risk factors, etc. and decide the best with management's help.
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Drawing Specifications

System analysts are responsible for drawing precise and clear specifications for programmers
and managers to understand easily. That includes text, documents, and flow charts for visual
understanding of computer programmers. These are presented in a detailed form as they lay
the foundations for optimal functioning of the system.

Designing and Evaluating Systems

At last, when the analysts are done with the preparation of the system's specifications, they
design and implement the system along with the development team so that the management’s
goal is achieved. With the knowledge of advanced programming tools, they act as an architect
and develop new systems. After the system is developed, they test the performance and
recommend necessary modifications.

Due to the various roles and responsibilities of a system analyst, he/she has to be a
multifaceted personality who is able to manage and coordinate with various people.
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Name Score

Section Instructor Date

POST-TEST – MODULE 4

I. Modified True or False: Write true if the statement given is true else identify the
word/words that makes the statement false, supply the correct word to make the
statement true.

1. The systems analyst is the person who has to meet all the eventual users of the IS and
find out exactly what it is they want to get from the finished system.
2. Systems analysts need to know about computers and programming, but they also
should know and have a desire to use computers to by-pass problems.
3. The SA/BA role is to liaise between and report to internal and external clients and
stakeholders, including colleagues and developers, throughout the development
process.
4. System analysts are responsible for drawing precise and clear specifications for
programmers and managers to understand easily.
5. A System Analyst job description should highlight the need for accuracy, logic and an
ability to communicate complex ideas to others.
6. One of the responsibilities of an Analyst is to isolate non participating stakeholders.
7. On drawing specification, these are presented in a detailed form as they lay the
foundations for optimal functioning of the system.
8. On gathering data and facts, they remove unnecessary data, focus on the important
ones, and change or modify the working system accordingly to make it more user-
friendly.
9. As an Agent of Change, the biggest hurdle for the role of system analysts is the
skepticism of people about accepting the change
10. As Motivators and salesperson, when stakeholders, management, and clients are ready
for the technological changes, a final system is made.

II. Short Answer Questions:

SCORE Description
5 pts The response provides all aspects of a complete interpretation and/or a correct solution. The response
thoroughly addresses the points relevant to the concept or task. It provides strong evidence that
information, reasoning, and conclusions have a definite logical relationship. It is clearly focused and
organized, showing relevance to the concept, task, or solution process
3 pts The response provides the essential elements of an interpretation and/or a solution. It addresses the
points relevant to the concept or task. It provides ample evidence that information, reasoning, and
conclusions have a logical relationship. It is focused and organized, showing relevance to the concept,
task, or solution process.
1 pt The response provides an unclear, inaccurate interpretation and/or solution. It fails to address or omits
significant aspects of the concept or task. It provides unrelated or unclear evidence that information,
reasoning, and conclusions have a relationship. There is little evidence of focus or organization relevant
to the concept, task, and/or solution process.
0 pt The response does not meet the criteria required to earn one point. The student may have
written on a different topic or written "I don't know."
 Pamantasan ng Cabuyao
College of Engineering
1ST SEMESTER & A.Y. 2020-2021

1. Computers perform many jobs that previously were performed by people.

a. Will computer-based transactions and expanded e-commerce eventually replace

person to-person contact?

b. From a customer’s point of view, is this better? Why or why not?

.
 Pamantasan ng Cabuyao
College of Engineering
1ST SEMESTER & A.Y. 2020-2021

ANSWER KEY MODULE 4 POST-TEST

True or False:

1. True
2. By-pass; solve problems
3. The SA/BA role – One of the SA/BA role
4. True
5. True
6. Isolate non participating stakeholders – change technique, approach on obtaining information
7. True
8. Gathering data and facts – analyzing the problem
9. True
10. As Motivators and salesperson – As an Agent of Change

SAMPLE ANSWER FOR II

#A
Eventually no, because no computer can replace any humans in any transaction (manage input
of data, collecting related and added information on customers, asking follow-up questions, and
etc).

Computers can only make transactions more convenient to users and help users to make their
work lighter and easier. If computer will replace human to human contact, there is a possibility of
miscommunication that will result to errors and misunderstanding.

#B
For a customer’s point of view, it is not better to use or replace people by computers because
we are not sure if the answer we want to get is in the database of the system that replaces the
human transaction.

Computers can store data and query files but it cannot input data automatically, computers need
user to input data into it.