Technology

System Analysis and Design - Overview What is a System?

The word System is derived from Greek word Systema, which means an organized
relationship between any set of components to achieve some common cause or objective.

A system is “an orderly grouping of interdependent components linked together

according to a plan to achieve a specific goal.”
Systems development is systematic process which includes phases such as planning,
analysis, design, deployment, and maintenance. Here, in this tutorial, we will primarily Constraints of a System
focus on − A system must have three basic constraints −

Systems analysis A system must have some structure and behavior which is designed to achieve a
Systems design predefined objective.

Interconnectivity and interdependence must exist among the system components.

Systems Analysis The objectives of the organization have a higher priority than the objectives of its
subsystems.
It is a process of collecting and interpreting facts, identifying the problems, and
decomposition of a system into its components. For example, traffic management system, payroll system, automatic library system,
System analysis is conducted for the purpose of studying a system or its parts in order to human resources information system.

identify its objectives. It is a problem solving technique that improves the system and
ensures that all the components of the system work efficiently to accomplish their Properties of a System
purpose.
A system has the following properties −
Analysis specifies what the system should do.

Organization
Systems Design Organization implies structure and order. It is the arrangement of components that helps
to achieve predetermined objectives.
It is a process of planning a new business system or replacing an existing system by
defining its components or modules to satisfy the specific requirements. Before planning, Interaction
you need to understand the old system thoroughly and determine how computers can
It is defined by the manner in which the components operate with each other.
best be used in order to operate efficiently.
For example, in an organization, purchasing department must interact with production
System Design focuses on how to accomplish the objective of the system.
department and payroll with personnel department.
System Analysis and Design (SAD) mainly focuses on −

Systems
Processes
Interdependence Processor(s)
Interdependence means how the components of a system depend on one another. For The processor is the element of a system that involves the actual transformation of
proper functioning, the components are coordinated and linked together according to a input into output.
specified plan. The output of one subsystem is the required by other subsystem as input.
It is the operational component of a system. Processors may modify the input either
totally or partially, depending on the output specification.
Integration
As the output specifications change, so does the processing. In some cases, input is
Integration is concerned with how a system components are connected together. It
also modified to enable the processor for handling the transformation.
means that the parts of the system work together within the system even if each part
performs a unique function.
Control
Central Objective
The control element guides the system.
The objective of system must be central. It may be real or stated. It is not uncommon for
It is the decision–making subsystem that controls the pattern of activities governing
an organization to state an objective and operate to achieve another.
input, processing, and output.
The users must know the main objective of a computer application early in the analysis
The behavior of a computer System is controlled by the Operating System and
for a successful design and conversion.
software. In order to keep system in balance, what and how much input is needed is
determined by Output Specifications.
Elements of a System
The following diagram shows the elements of a system − Feedback
Feedback provides the control in a dynamic system.

Positive feedback is routine in nature that encourages the performance of the

system.

Negative feedback is informational in nature that provides the controller with

information for action.

Environment
The environment is the “supersystem” within which an organization operates.

It is the source of external elements that strike on the system.

It determines how a system must function. For example, vendors and competitors of
organization’s environment, may provide constraints that affect the actual
Outputs and Inputs performance of the business.
The main aim of a system is to produce an output which is useful for its user.

Inputs are the information that enters into the system for processing.

Output is the outcome of processing.

Boundaries and Interface Permanent or Temporary System
A system should be defined by its boundaries. Boundaries are the limits that identify Permanent System persists for long time. For example, business policies.
its components, processes, and interrelationship when it interfaces with another Temporary System is made for specified time and after that they are demolished. For
system. example, A DJ system is set up for a program and it is dissembled after the program.
Each system has boundaries that determine its sphere of influence and control.

The knowledge of the boundaries of a given system is crucial in determining the Natural and Manufactured System
nature of its interface with other systems for successful design.
Natural systems are created by the nature. For example, Solar system, seasonal
system.

Types of Systems Manufactured System is the man-made system. For example, Rockets, dams, trains.

The systems can be divided into the following types −

Deterministic or Probabilistic System
Physical or Abstract Systems Deterministic system operates in a predictable manner and the interaction between
system components is known with certainty. For example, two molecules of
Physical systems are tangible entities. We can touch and feel them.
hydrogen and one molecule of oxygen makes water.
Physical System may be static or dynamic in nature. For example, desks and chairs
Probabilistic System shows uncertain behavior. The exact output is not known. For
are the physical parts of computer center which are static. A programmed computer
example, Weather forecasting, mail delivery.
is a dynamic system in which programs, data, and applications can change according
to the user's needs.

Abstract systems are non-physical entities or conceptual that may be formulas, Social, Human-Machine, Machine System
representation or model of a real system. Social System is made up of people. For example, social clubs, societies.

In Human-Machine System, both human and machines are involved to perform a

Open or Closed Systems particular task. For example, Computer programming.

An open system must interact with its environment. It receives inputs from and Machine System is where human interference is neglected. All the tasks are
delivers outputs to the outside of the system. For example, an information system performed by the machine. For example, an autonomous robot.
which must adapt to the changing environmental conditions.

A closed system does not interact with its environment. It is isolated from Man–Made Information Systems
environmental influences. A completely closed system is rare in reality.
It is an interconnected set of information resources to manage data for particular
organization, under Direct Management Control (DMC).
Adaptive and Non Adaptive System This system includes hardware, software, communication, data, and application for
Adaptive System responds to the change in the environment in a way to improve producing information according to the need of an organization.
their performance and to survive. For example, human beings, animals. Man-made information systems are divided into three types −
Non Adaptive System is the system which does not respond to the environment. For Formal Information System − It is based on the flow of information in the form of
example, machines. memos, instructions, etc., from top level to lower levels of management.
 Informal Information System − This is employee based system which solves the day
to day work related problems. Categories of Information
Computer Based System − This system is directly dependent on the computer for
There are three categories of information related to managerial levels and the decision
managing business applications. For example, automatic library system, railway
managers make.
reservation system, banking system, etc.

Systems Models
Schematic Models
A schematic model is a 2-D chart that shows system elements and their linkages.

Different arrows are used to show information flow, material flow, and information
feedback.

Flow System Models

A flow system model shows the orderly flow of the material, energy, and
Strategic Information
information that hold the system together.
This information is required by topmost management for long range planning
Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT), for example, is used to abstract a
policies for next few years. For example, trends in revenues, financial investment,
real world system in model form.
and human resources, and population growth.

This type of information is achieved with the aid of Decision Support System (DSS).
Static System Models
They represent one pair of relationships such as activity–time or cost–quantity.
Managerial Information
The Gantt chart, for example, gives a static picture of an activity-time relationship.
This type of Information is required by middle management for short and
intermediate range planning which is in terms of months. For example, sales
Dynamic System Models analysis, cash flow projection, and annual financial statements.
Business organizations are dynamic systems. A dynamic model approximates the It is achieved with the aid of Management Information Systems (MIS).
type of organization or application that analysts deal with.

It shows an ongoing, constantly changing status of the system. It consists of − Operational information
Inputs that enter the system This type of information is required by low management for daily and short term
planning to enforce day-to-day operational activities. For example, keeping
The processor through which transformation takes place
employee attendance records, overdue purchase orders, and current stocks
The program(s) required for processing
available.
The output(s) that result from processing.
It is achieved with the aid of Data Processing Systems (DPS).