Alan Dennis' 5th Edition of Systems Analysis and Design continues to build upon previous issues with it hands-on approach to systems analysis and design with an even more in-depth focus on the core set of skills that all analysts must possess. Dennis continues to capture the experience of developing and analyzing systems in a way that readers can understand and apply and develop a rich foundation of skills as a systems analyst.
PART ONE - PLANNING PHASE CHAPTER 1 - THE SYSTEMS ANALYST AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT Introduction The Systems Analyst Systems Analyst Skills Systems Analyst Roles The Systems Development Life Cycle Planning Analysis Design Implementation Project Identification and Initiation System Request Applying the Concepts at Language Leaders Feasibility Analysis Technical Feasibility Economic Feasibility Organizational Feasibility Applying the Concepts at Language Leaders Summary Appendix 1A--Detailed Economic Feasibility Analysis for Language Leaders CHAPTER 2 - PROJECT SELECTION AND MANAGEMENT Introduction Project Selection Applying the Concepts at Language Leaders Creating the Project Plan Project Methodology Options Selecting the Appropriate Development Methodology Estimating the Project Time Frame Developing the Work Plan Staffing The Project Staffing Plan Coordinating Project Activities Managing and Controlling The Project Refining Estimates Managing Scope Timeboxing Managing Risk Applying The Concepts At Language Leaders Staffing the Project Coordinating Project Activities Summary Appendix 2A: The Function Point Approach Appendix 2B: Project Management Tools: The Gantt Chart and PERT Chart Gantt Chart PERT Chart PART TWO - ANALYSIS PHASE CHAPTER 3 - REQUIREMENTS DETERMINATION Introduction The Analysis Phase Requirements Determination What Is a Requirement? The Process of Determining Requirements The Requirements Definition Statement Requirements elicitation Techniques Requirements Elicitation in Practice Interviews Joint Application Development (JAD) Questionnaires Document Analysis Observation Selecting the Appropriate Techniques Requirements Analysis Strategies Problem Analysis Root Cause Analysis Duration Analysis Activity-Based Costing Informal Benchmarking Outcome Analysis Technology Analysis Activity Elimination Comparing Analysis Strategies Applying The Concepts At Language Leaders Eliciting and Analyzing Requirements Requirements Definition System Proposal Summary CHAPTER 4 - USE CASE ANALYSIS Introduction Use Cases Elements of a Use Case Alternative Use Case Formats Use Cases and the Functional Requirements Use Cases and Testing Building Use Cases Applying The Concepts At Language Leaders Identifying the Major Use Cases Elaborating on the Use Cases Summary CHAPTER 5 - PROCESS MODELING Introduction Data Flow Diagrams Reading Data Flow Diagrams Elements of Data Flow Diagrams Using Data Flow Diagrams to Define Business Processes Process Descriptions Creating Data Flow Diagrams Creating the Context Diagram Creating Data Flow Diagram Fragments Creating the Level 0 Data Flow Diagram Creating Level 1 Data Flow Diagrams (and Below) Validating the Data Flow Diagrams Applying the Concepts At Language Leaders Creating the Context Diagram Creating Data Flow Diagram Fragments Creating the Level 0 Data Flow Diagram Creating Level 1 Data Flow Diagrams (and Below) Validating the Data Flow Diagrams Summary CHAPTER 6 - DATA MODELING Introduction The Entity Relationship Diagram Reading an Entity Relationship Diagram Elements of an Entity Relationship Diagram The Data Dictionary and Metadata Creating An Entity Relationship Diagram Building Entity Relationship Diagrams Advanced Syntax Applying the Concepts at Language Leaders Validating An Erd Design Guidelines Normalization Balancing Entity Relationship Diagrams with Data Flow Diagrams Summary Appendix 6A: Normalizing the Data Model PART THREE - DESIGN PHASE CHAPTER 7 - THE DESIGN PHASE, DESIGN STRATEGY, AND ARCHITECTURE DESIGN Introduction Transition from Requirements to Design System Acquisition Strategies Custom Development Packaged Software Outsourcing Influences on the Acquisition Strategy Business Need In-House Experience Project Skills
