System Analysis
1 Introduction
The word system is derived from the Greek word "Systema" which means an or- ganized relationship among functioning units or components. System analysis is a
structured approach to problem solving that breaks down a system into its compo- nent pieces to determine how these component work together by interacting with
each other to achieve their purpose. Descartes emphasised that a problem under
consideration should be divided into as many parts as possible and then examined
one by one.
System analysis as defined by Hoag [1956] is a systematic examination of a problem
of choice in which each step of the analysis is made explicit wherever possible. His
explanation of systems analysis is particularly focused on military applications.
System analysis techniques were initially applied to defence and space problems
but are widely used in finance, energy, marketing, software, databases, healthcare,
business, traffic control, thus anything that can be classified as a system.
1.1 Methodology of system analysis
System analysis techniques have evolved over the years and different types of sys- tems will deploy specialized analysis techniques specific to those systems. However
a methodology of system analysis is as follows [Herbst 1996]:
1. System objectives
The first step is to determine what the system will be used for and define its
purpose. For example the purpose of a database management system will be
different from that of an air traffic control system. The system should then be
designed accordingly to meet those objectives. Sometimes a system needs to
be designed to serve more than one purpose. This would therefore require a
mutli-disciplinary team and scope of each objective needs to be defined.
2. Quantification of objectives
Identify the objective functions which are the quantitative expressions the goals
of the project or organisation. Constraints of technology, time, cost, expertise
and
The word system is derived from the Greek word "Systema" which means an or- ganized relationship among functioning units or components. System analysis is a
structured approach to problem solving that breaks down a system into its compo- nent pieces to determine how these component work together by interacting with
each other to achieve their purpose. Descartes emphasised that a problem under
consideration should be divided into as many parts as possible and then examined
one by one.
System analysis as defined by Hoag [1956] is a systematic examination of a problem
of choice in which each step of the analysis is made explicit wherever possible. His
explanation of systems analysis is particularly focused on military applications.
System analysis techniques were initially applied to defence and space problems
but are widely used in finance, energy, marketing, software, databases, healthcare,
business, traffic control, thus anything that can be classified as a system.
1.1 Methodology of system analysis
System analysis techniques have evolved over the years and different types of sys- tems will deploy specialized analysis techniques specific to those systems. However
a methodology of system analysis is as follows [Herbst 1996]:
1. System objectives
The first step is to determine what the system will be used for and define its
purpose. For example the purpose of a database management system will be
different from that of an air traffic control system. The system should then be
designed accordingly to meet those objectives. Sometimes a system needs to
be designed to serve more than one purpose. This would therefore require a
mutli-disciplinary team and scope of each objective needs to be defined.
2. Quantification of objectives
Identify the objective functions which are the quantitative expressions the goals
of the project or organisation. Constraints of technology, time, cost, expertise
and
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