How important are Systems Analysis and Requirements Analysis to the success of software development? Essay

Submitted By Raldow
Words: 1267
Pages: 6
Open Document
How important are Systems Analysis and especially Requirements Analysis to the success of software development?

Introduction

This essay will discuss the importance of Requirements Analysis (RA) and Systems Analysis (SA) in successful development of software. The relationship between RA and SA will be explored to understand how each element plays its own role in contributing to the outcome of a successful software program.

Software development is the creation of a software product. It can also be referred to as ‘platform development,’ ‘application development’ or software design.’ The term "software development" can be used to refer to computer programming, which is the process of creating and maintaining the code behind the program.

In the development of a system, it will be necessary to define the elements within it. Requirements Analysis comprises all the tasks that help define the conditions to meet to complete a product, taking into account conflicting requirements and affected stakeholders, such as users or any other party that may be affected.

Systems Analysis is a phase of the systems lifecycle, where a data model is assessed. It is the methodical study of the data-processing needs of a business or department, together with recommendations for specific hardware and software installations. As a tool for problem solving, it can take a system and break it up into its constituent parts.

Their Importance

Whilst it can be argued that RA and SA are not mutually exclusive, they should be considered as necessarily complementary activities in the systems lifecycle. This is because SA is dependant on the completion of RA, so the requirements must be written properly. To create a successful software program, it is essential to have robust processes in both RA and SA. The 2004 Standish CHAOS Report entitled “CHAOS Chronicles,” stated that 71% of I.T. projects either failed or were late, over-budget, or lacking in expected features. In monetary terms, the report concluded that $55 billion was lost out of a total project spending of $255 billion.

Requirements Analysis

The purpose of RA is to translate the defined end-user requirements into the necessary technical and more detailed requirements that help the creation of the system. Additionally, the requirements of other stakeholders involved in the development are taken into consideration. RA is one of the most critical processes, as it composes an important base for the whole development of the system. As a result, poor analysis of the requirements is one of the biggest factors of failure in software development projects. The reason for this is that the analysis may not be detailed enough for the developer to clearly understand, and therefore, the final product may come up short of the end user needs or aspirations. Also, more often than not, the client doesn’t actually know what they want at the end of the project, or even understand what a system could do for them. If a client does not know or realise what a system can do for him, it may in turn make defining a requirement more complex. Getting client requirements defined early on is extremely important. Firstly, this will help the system developer, as they can develop the system to a brief and build in the set of requirements. It is much simpler to work in accordance with a set of guidelines. Secondly, it permits the client to refine or change their requirements throughout the process. As a general rule, approximately 9 out of 10 clients don’t know precisely what they want. This makes it very hard for the developer to create something to the client’s needs and understand exactly what they want.

Throughout the process, some requirements get prioritized over others, as they become more important. Less important requirements may end up being dropped from the project, or put off for a later date. The outcome of RA should be a list of objectives that can be split up into measurable tasks that can determine the
Show More

Related Documents: How important are Systems Analysis and Requirements Analysis to the success of software development? Essay

Example Of Feasibility Studies

Every piece of software started as an idea. As a requirement that needed to be satisfied. This is the untold beginning of the SDLC. A client or a manager asks their IT department to either improve current software for the company or come up with a new system. They then give that idea over to them people to see if it’s feasible. SDLC then has feasibility studies. “A feasibility study is designed to provide an overview of the primary issues related to a business idea. The purpose is to identify…

Words 943 - Pages 4

Evolution Of Software In The World

After decades of writing about the field of analysis and design, I write this book to focus on the evolution of software in the world. We have seen over the past 40 years, the continual expansion of the library of software applications that are used in common workplace as well as in the personal lives of people throughout the world. Indeed, software applications continue to change the world and as a result the challenge of managing the advent of huge application libraries has become of paramount…

Words 1456 - Pages 6

Role In Agile Project

by the writers of system analysis and design. According to Satzinger, Jackson and Burd (2012, p.6) agile development is an information system development that emphasizes flexibility to anticipate new requirements during development. The information regarding the role of analysts in agile project, the impact of analysts in agile projects, how they contribute to team success, how they adapt to the change in nature of the agile project and lastly how they contribute to team success is discussed as analysed…

Words 1633 - Pages 7

Service Request Part 1

Pontiac Michigan, Hangzhou China, with a research and development department located in San Jose California. This establishment has produced an annual earning of forty-six million dollars. Riordan Industries, which is the sole owner of Riordan Manufacturing, is a Fortune 1000 enterprise with revenues in excess of one-billion dollars. Key stakeholders in this company include CEO Dr. Michael Riordan who is the founder that has the main focus of how the company is performing and running. The Director…

Words 1113 - Pages 5

Value of the Systems Development Life Cycle Essay

Value of the Systems Development Life Cycle Every organization can benefit from the use of a formal Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) to develop and manage projects. This paper will describe the components of the formal SDLC process, and discuss how each component is used to provide a framework for a project. The SDLC process involves the project manager, system analyst, and developer. Their roles are an integral part of the SDLC process and will determine whether a solution is developed or discarded…

Words 1163 - Pages 5

What Are Some Of The Factors That Can Ensure More Success In The Sdlc Process

of a systems analyst. A system analyst researches problems, plans solutions, recommends software and systems, and coordinates development to meet business requirements. What are the main questions that need to be answered for each of the SDLC phases? Planning-Should we do it?, Analysis-What do we need to do?, Design-How are we going to do it?, Implementation-Do it, Maintenance- Support it. What are SDLC best practices called? What are some of the factors that can ensure more success in the…

Words 546 - Pages 3

Essay about Sdlc Final Project

Denise Lopez-Malave BSA/376 April 02, 2012 Dr. Todd Feuerherm Statement of Scope and goals Patton-Fuller Community Hospital is trying to implement a new patient management system in order to service the patient with as pleasant an experience as possible. The Scope- Being able to develop the patient management system to track patient check-in, appointments, and surgery. Benefits- The benefit would be less of a risk and cost efficiency. Cost- the cost will include the process in data materials…

Words 3300 - Pages 14

Isys 110 - Applied Business in Is Essay

ISYS 110 → Week 1 LECTURE (30/07/12) Applied Business in IS Description: • This unit introduces system design and analysis concepts in developing information systems • This unit also provides a practical approach to the use of commonly available spread sheet, database and accounting packages and their application in supporting business information systems requirements in business and other organisations Assessment: 1. EXCEL 2007 Practical Exam (open book) – week 4 tutorial → 15% 2. ACCESS…

Words 1077 - Pages 5

Unit 1 Essay example

Modern Systems Analysis and Design Unit 0 Course Information Agenda  Information about me and the course         About me Syllabus Others Lab Teams and Class Registration List Important Dates Chapter 1 Lab/Assignment Work To-Do Your Instructor- Leon Pan  More than 8 years university teaching in programming and software development  3 year at UFV 4 years at PUC  1 year at UoR and First Nation University  12 years senior programmer  Experienced with helping students   Education…

Words 2147 - Pages 9

RRL - Internet Cafe Management Software Essays

are the following: 1) For Payroll, Accounts Receivable/Payable, Inventory, Reservation, Library, etc. Systems, the general area which may be discussed is Information Systems. 2) For Expert Systems, CAIs, ICAIs, ITSs, etc., the general area is Artificial Intelligence. 3) For Editor Softwares, Utility Softwares, Compilers, etc., the general area is Software Technology. 4) For Multimedia Systems, Geographical…

Words 1780 - Pages 8