Systems Analysis & Design Chapters 1-4

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions, methodologies, SDLC phases, project management concepts, and requirements modeling from Chapters 1-4 of Systems Analysis & Design.

System

A set of related components that accepts inputs, processes them, and generates specific results.

Information System

A combination of information technology, people, and data supporting business requirements.

5 Core Components of an Information System

Hardware, Software, Data, Processes, and People.

Information Technology (IT)

Hardware, software, and telecommunications supporting business operations and productivity.

Data

Raw, unorganized facts and numbers without inherent meaning until processed.

Information

Data that has been processed and changed into a useful, structured, contextualized output.

Hardware

The physical layer of an information system including computers, networks, and communications equipment.

Software

Programs run by computers for specific functions, divided into system and application software.

System Software

Programs controlling the computer, such as operating systems, device drivers, and utilities.

Application Software

Programs like email, word processors, and spreadsheets used for office tasks.

Scalable

The ability of a system to expand for new requirements and volumes without total redesign.

Mission-Critical System

An information system vital to operations whose failure causes normal business to cease.

Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

The activities and functions developers perform structured across sequential development phases.

The 5 Phases of the SDLC

Planning, Analysis, Design, Implementation, and Support & Security.

Systems Planning Phase

The first SDLC phase evaluating project proposals for feasibility and formulating project plans.

Systems Analysis Phase

The second SDLC phase focusing on what the system must do by building a logical model.

Systems Design Phase

The third SDLC phase creating physical blueprints and specifications for how the system will operate.

Systems Implementation Phase

The fourth SDLC phase where programs are constructed, coded, tested, documented, and installed.

Systems Support and Security Phase

The final SDLC phase where IT staff maintains, enhances, and protects the system.

Systems Request

A formal request to the IT department describing problems or desired changes, triggering the SDLC.

Feasibility Study (Preliminary Investigation)

An initial investigation identifying the nature and scope of a business opportunity or problem.

System Requirements Document

The end product of Systems Analysis containing requirements, considered alternatives, and recommendations.

System Design Specification

The end product of Systems Design presenting complete technical design, costs, staffing, and schedule.

Deliverable

A polished, final product suitable for its use, marking the completion of an SDLC phase.

Structured Analysis

A traditional development technique using sequential phases that treats processes and data separately.

Waterfall Model

The traditional development model where the result of each SDLC phase flows down sequentially.

Agile Methods

Adaptive systems development methods aiming to build a system incrementally using prototypes and sprints.

Iterative

An adaptive method building on repeated development cycles to progressively refine a product.

Spiral Model

A development model with iterations based on continuous risk evaluation and user feedback.

Prototype

An early, rapidly constructed working version of a proposed information system.

Modeling

A process producing a graphical representation of a concept that developers can analyze and modify.

Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)

An approach relying on domain models rather than traditional documents to design large systems.

CASE Tools

Powerful software used in computer-aided systems engineering to help analysts develop and maintain systems.

Integrated Development Environments (IDE)

Applications for building software containing a code editor, compiler, debugger, and test framework.

Requirements Engineering

Using fact-finding techniques early in the SDLC to describe current systems and identify requirements.

Object-Oriented (O-O) Analysis

Understanding a system by identifying real-world objects, integrating data and processes into components.

Object

In object-oriented analysis, a representation of a real person, place, event, or transaction.

Class

In object-oriented modeling, a collection or blueprint of similar objects.

Properties

Characteristics that objects inherit from their class or possess on their own, also called attributes.

Business Process

A description of specific events, tasks, and desired operational results.

Business Process Model (BPM)

A graphical representation of one or more business processes.

Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN)

A standard set of shapes and symbols used to represent events, processes, and workflows.

Business Model

A graphical representation of business functions consisting of processes like sales and accounting.

Business Profile

A definition of a company's overall functions, processes, organization, products, and direction.

Business Rules

How a system handles data and produces information, reflecting operational business requirements.

Enterprise Applications

Company-wide applications such as order processing and payroll systems.

Enterprise Computing

Information systems supporting company-wide data management across multiple departments.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

A process establishing an enterprise-wide strategy and architecture for IT resources.

Supply Chain

A network of connected facilities, organizations, and resources moving goods from suppliers to customers.

Supply Chain Management (SCM)

The coordination and management of materials, information, and finances between suppliers and customers.

E-Commerce

Commercial transactions involving the buying and selling of goods and information over the Internet.

B2B

Commercial exchanges of products, services, or information between businesses over electronic networks.

B2C

Commercial exchanges of products or services between businesses and consumers conducted over the Internet.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

Computer-to-computer transfer of standard business data and documents between companies.

Management Information System (MIS)

A computer-based system used in business planning, control, and decision-making for middle management.

Transaction Processing Systems

Operational systems used to process high-volume, recurring daily business transactions.

Business Support Systems

Information systems providing job-related information support to users at all operational levels.

User Productivity Systems

Applications providing employees tools like email and spreadsheets to improve job performance.

Groupware

Programs running on a network enabling users to share data and collaborate on team projects.

Horizontal System

A basic system, like payroll, commonly used by a wide variety of different companies and industries.

Vertical System

A system designed to meet the unique requirements of a specific business or industry.

Legacy System

An older system that is less technologically advanced than current options but remains in use.

Big Data

Extremely large datasets characterized by the 3 V's: Volume, Variety, and Velocity.

Artificial Intelligence

The attempt to recreate natural intelligence through software in machines.

Machine Learning

An AI application using automated approaches to pattern recognition and predictive analytics.

Data Science

An interdisciplinary field blending computer science, math, statistics, and business methods.

Data Center

A large concentration of networked computers working together.

Data Flow Diagram

A graphical representation showing how a system stores, processes, and transforms data.

Process

Procedures or logical rules applied to transform data into meaningful information.

NoSQL Databases

Database systems using a flat, nonrelational structure to process large-scale datasets.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

Technology using high-frequency radio waves to track physical objects.

Moore's Law

The prediction that computing power would double every 18 to 24 months due to miniaturization.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

An equipment management model where employees manage their own devices at work.

Application Lifecycle Management (ALM)

Activities covering the entire SDLC including requirements, design, development, and testing.

Inference Rules

Instructions directing a knowledge management or expert system to identify data patterns.

Knowledge Base

A centralized repository of rules, data patterns, and logic used to solve problems.

Systems Analyst

A person who plans, analyzes, and implements systems, acting as a translator for business needs.

Stakeholder

Anyone affected by a company's performance, including customers, employees, and suppliers.

Strategic Plans

Long-range plans defining corporate mission and goals, set by top management.

Corporate Culture

A set of beliefs, rules, traditions, and values defining a company's way of doing business.

Empowerment

A business practice placing more responsibility and accountability throughout organizational levels.

Help Desk

A centralized IT resource providing user support, technical answers, and self-sufficiency.

Project Management

The process of planning, scheduling, monitoring, controlling, and reporting on system development.

Mission Statement

A document stating a company's overall purpose, products, services, and values.

Critical Success Factors

Vital objectives that must be achieved for an enterprise to fulfill its mission.

SWOT Analysis

An examination of Strengths, Weaknesses (internal), Opportunities, and Threats (external).

Business Case

The reasons or justification for a proposal, answering why a project is needed.

Case for Action

A part of the preliminary investigation report summarizing project requests and recommendations.

Systems Review Committee

A group of key managers and users responsible for evaluating systems requests.

Discretionary Projects

Projects where management has a choice in whether to implement them.

Nondiscretionary Projects

Projects where management has no choice, such as legal or regulatory mandates, taking precedence.

Constraint

A requirement or condition the system must satisfy, such as budget caps or deadlines.

Project Scope

A specific determination of a project's boundaries, establishing what is included and excluded.

Project Creep

The gradual expansion of a project's scope over time without specific authorization or budget.

Operational Feasibility

Evaluating whether a proposed system will be used effectively and accepted by users.

Technical Feasibility

Evaluating whether an organization has the technical resources and skills to operate the system.

Economic Feasibility

Determining whether projected project benefits outweigh the estimated acquisition and operating costs.

Schedule Feasibility

Determining whether a project can be implemented within an acceptable timeframe and deadlines.

Tangible Costs

Expenses that have a specific, measurable dollar value, such as hardware or consultant fees.

Intangible Costs

Costs difficult to measure in dollars, such as employee dissatisfaction or reduced morale.