Systems Analysis & Design Chapter 1 Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms, roles, and methodologies introduced in Chapter 1 of Systems Analysis & Design.

Information

A key resource that fuels business and can be the critical factor in determining the success or failure of a business; it must be managed correctly.

Systems Analysis and Design

A process that lends structure to the analysis and design of information systems to avoid user dissatisfaction and system disuse.

Consultant

One of the three primary roles of the systems analyst, along with supporting expert and agent of change.

Supporting Expert

A primary role of the systems analyst where they provide expertise on computer hardware and software.

Agent of Change

A primary role of the systems analyst where they serve as a catalyst for improvement and innovation within an organization.

Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

A phased approach to solving business problems developed through a specific cycle of analyst and user activities.

Feasibility Report

The output of the first SDLC phase containing problem definition and objective summaries used by management to decide on project progression.

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)

Factors related to how users accomplish their work when interacting with a computer, integrated into the phases of the SDLC.

Data Flow Diagrams

Tools used during the 'Analyzing System Needs' phase of the SDLC to create a visual representation of data movement.

Data Dictionary

A completed repository of data elements used during the analysis phase of the SDLC.

System Proposal

A recommendation prepared and presented during the analysis phase regarding what, if anything, should be done.

System Maintenance

The process of removing software errors and enhancing existing software to include additional features or address changes.

CASE Tools

Computer Aided Software Engineering tools; automated support productivity tools used to improve analyst work and communication.

Agile Approach

A software development approach based on values, principles, and core practices that is both interactive and incremental.

Agile Values

The four core values of the agile approach: Communication, Simplicity, Feedback, and Courage.

Exploration Stage

The first stage of the agile modeling development process involving assembling a team, assessing skills, and writing user stories.

Iterations

Cycles of testing, feedback, and change used in agile development to move toward the first release.

Productionizing

The agile phase where the product is released and may be improved by adding other features.

Object-Oriented Systems Analysis and Design

An approach intended to facilitate development for systems that must change rapidly, using objects as representations of actual things.

Unified Modeling Language (UML)

A language used to model object-oriented systems through diagrams and use case models.

Use Case Model

A diagram using stick figures to represent actors and arrows to show how those actors relate to major events.

Activity Diagrams

UML diagrams that illustrate all the major activities in a use case.

Sequence Diagrams

UML diagrams that show the timing and order of activities for each use case.

Open Source Software

An alternative to traditional software development where many users and coders can study, share, and modify code.

Ad Hoc

One of the four open source community types, alongside standardized, organized, and commercial.