Systems analysis: The need for a better understanding

The extended evolution of systems analysis has created a challenging problem for the modern student, scholar, teacher, and practitioner: an overabundant, highly specialized body of literature that is difficult to grasp in terms of a generalized framework and methodology. The need for a comprehensive synthesis of systems analysis knowledge is apparent, since modern systems analysts apply their skills in a complex arena: policy analysis of large-scale societal systems. The purpose of the paper is to: 1) propose a generalized system analysis framework that is composed of a) steps in the systems analysis process, b) areas of application and problem categories, and c) analytical techniques for accomplishing the steps; 2) describe, in detail, a methodology of fundamental tasks in the systems analysis process; and 3) briefly describe a few techniques that have particular relevance in the proposed systems analysis methodology.

The development of information systems is no longer limited to a few locations throughout the world. They are developed in countries whose business environment and culture are very different. Culture, we suggest, is therefore an important variable in the development process and may introduce its own set of problems, the consequences of which may range from project failure to delayed delivery of working systems. But culture’s influence may be indirect, difficult to isolate, and difficult to measure. For these reasons, perhaps, there has been no research that directly addresses culture’s role in the systems analysis and design process. This paper is an attempt to fill that void. It identifies the stages in the systems analysis and design process likely to be influenced by culture and the pattern which these influences are likely to take. The benefit of such a framework is that it draws attention to the issue of culture at the beginning of the development cycle and may reduce the chances of failure or costly delays.

This article outlines the analytical basis of logistics. The concept of logistics management is described in a business context, and its strategic, tactical and operational tiers are discussed. The relationship that exists between systems analysis and logistics management is indicated. The seven consecutive steps in the systems analysis process are outlined. The role and essence of operations research in systems analysis and business logistics decision-making are described. The most pertinent operations research applications in the field of logistics management, as well as the analytical competencies that a logistician should possess, are identified. The role that operations researchers can fulfil in the successful execution and control of business logistics processes are detailed.

ICAS-PAT: A software for design, analysis and validation of PAT systems

The paper describes a systems analysis and optimization (SA&O) process that has been developed at NASA to quantify the effects of IVHM on Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) designs and to target areas for potential IVHM technology development. The process incorporates cost, operations, safety, reliability, false alarm rate, performance, and testability models in a modular fashion that allows individual models to be easily swapped out and another model inserted in its place. This IVHM SA&O process has been used to examine a representative MPS feed subsystem on a generic two-stage to orbit RLV. The results from the optimization analysis show that by examining relevant system figures of merit, the method developed allows for better, targeted utilization of IVHM that optimizes the benefit to system wide figures of merit rather than a local optimization based on engineering judgment. Although the paper examines an optimum application of IVHM to an RLV, the SA&O process presented can be generalized by system engineers/architects for optimizing the application of virtually any technology to a system design.

Classically, the requirements definition and systems analysis needed to support the design of tactical aircraft have been based on present perceptions and historical extrapolations about the nature of future combat tactics. No means of verification as to how combat could change based on new technologies were available. Changes in combat tactics due to changes in system capabilities must be recognized before they occur; the requirements definition and systems analysis process must be adjusted accordingly in order to avoid developing ineffective designs. Manned simulation provides a means for exploring new tactics and reducing the risk associated with aircraft design.

<p>Demonstrating the usefulness of integrating context-based views into the systems analysis and design process.</p>

Article index

An examination of designer and user perceptions of JAD and the traditional IS design methodology

The study proposes a combination of the function points model for software estimation with the ADISSA methodology for systems analysis and design. This combined approach, which is supported by a software tool, enables one to estimate various software metrics, such as size, effort, and duration, in the early stages of systems development, by basing them on the products of a thorough system analysis and design process.

Demonstrating the usefulness of integrating context-based views into the systems analysis and design process.

Question Generation and the Systems Analysis Process

Factors affecting the implementation outcome of a mainframe software package: A longitudinal study

The present study highlights the advantages of robotic systems for post-stroke rehabilitation of the upper limb. The latest demographic studies illustrate a continuous increase of the average life span, which leads to a continuous increase of stroke incidents and patients requiring rehabilitation. Some studies estimate that by 2030 the number of physical therapists will be insufficient for the patients requiring physical rehabilitation, imposing a shift in the current methodologies. A viable option is the implementation of robotic systems that assist the patient in performing rehabilitation exercises, the physical therapist role being to establish the therapeutic program for each patient and monitor their individual progress. Using a set of clinical measurements for the upper limb motions, the analysis of rehabilitation robotic systems provides a comparative study between the motions required by clinicians and the ones that robotic systems perform for different therapeutic exercises. A critical analysis of existing robots is performed using several classifications: mechanical design, assistance type, actuation and power transmission, control systems and human robot interaction (HRI) strategies. This classification will determine a set of pre-requirements for the definition of new concepts and efficient solutions for robotic assisted rehabilitation therapy.

Various diagrams have been used heavily in systems analysis and design without proper verification of their usability. However, different diagrammatic representations of the same information may vary in the computational efficiency of working with these diagrams. The objective of this research was to explore the effects of diagrammatic representations on the task of integrating multiple diagrams. The domain of systems analysis and design was used to generate examples and test the theory. A cognitive model of diagram integration was proposed, and an experimental study was conducted, both to explore the effects of representa-tional features of diagrams on the cognitive process of diagram integration. Results of the experiment show that the representational features of the diagrams acted as the criteria for selecting among various methods for analyzing and designing the integrated diagram. In addition, the difference in the selected methods resulted in different task performances in terms of analysis and design errors. This article concludes with the implications of the results for the development of cognitively compelling diagrams.