Systems Analysis and Design Methods

Designed to support the core systems and design course, this book presents concepts and the support of those concepts through the practice of techniques and their application to systems development.

At the request of adopters, the cross-life cycle modules (A-E in the 4E, e.g., project management, fact finding and JAD, and feasibility analysis) have been updated and integrated into the mainstream chapters of the book (Chapters 4, 6, 9).
The fifth edition further emphasizes systems analysis and design techniques for developing client/server and web-centric applications. This includes the emergence of the Internet, corporate intranets, and intercorporate extranets as legitimate application architectures.
The information system development, systems analysis, systems design, and systems implementation chapters (3, 5, 10, 17) have been structurally simplified.
The object-oriented analysis and design chapters have been relocated to the end of the book (Appendixes A and B). Many adopters omit this advanced material, or cover it at the end of the course for transition to an advanced course. The modules have been significantly updated to reflect the official emergence of the Unified Modeling Language (UML).
The impact of contemporary techniques (such as model-driven development, rapid application development, and commercial off-the-shelf software integration) and automated tools (such as CASE and ADEs) are introduced in the information systems development chapter (3).
Project management is introduced in Chapter 4, immediately after the aforementioned information systems development chapter. This chapter has been significantly updated to focus on the activities of project management while retaining (and improving) the demonstration of Microsoft Project.
The systems analysis chapter (5) includes new material on the subject of business process analysis and redesign. All information systems must be integrated into the business processes of an organization. This is especially true when software applications are procured instead of being built in-house.
By popular demand, a complete set of leveled data flow diagrams is provided in Chapter 8 on process modeling (perceived as a strength in the first three editions). Coverage of both bottom-up (Yourdon modern structured analysis) and top-down (DeMarco classical structured analysis) approaches is clarified from the fourth edition.
The matrix framework based on Zachman's Framework for Information Systems Architecture continues to organize the subject's conceptual foundations. The fifth edition framework has been updated (and simplified!) to reflect contemporary technologies and methods. The framework has been visually integrated into both the textbook's system development methodology, and into every chapter as a chapter opening knowledge map that shows which aspects of the framework are relevant to that chapter.
The use of automated tools (such as CASE and RAD) for systems analysis, design, and construction is reinforced throughout the book. Some of the tools demonstrated in the fifth edition include Visio Professional, System Architect, Project, and Visual Basic.
PEDAGOGICAL USE OF COLOR: The fifth edition continues the use of full-color applied to an adaptation of Zachman's Framework for Information Systems Architecture. The Information Systems Architecture matrix uses these colors to introduce recurring concepts. System models then reinforce those concepts with a consistent use of the same colors.
The SoundStage Entertainment Club chapter-opening case study has been enhanced and updated to include web-centric applications like the Internet, corporate intranets, and intercorporate extranets.
The modern systems analyst (Chapter 1) has been renamed to players in the systems game to reflect a new emphasis on systems analysis and design as a 'team sport'. Consistent with the textbook's title and subject, the systems analyst is still emphasized; however, the framework is introduced to help students better appreciate the roles of the management, user, and technical communities.
The former fact-finding techniques and joint application development modules (B, D in 4E) have been merged into a single requirements analysis Chapter 6, now part of the systems analysis unit.
Based on encouragement from several adopters, normalization and event analysis have been returned to the data modeling chapter (7).
The network modeling chapter (7 in 4E) was deleted since its modeling paradigm has not come into mainstream practice; however, distribution analysis coverage has been fully integrated into the data and process modeling chapters (7 and 8).
The analysis-to-design transition coverage is improved by combining feasibility analysis (formerly Module C in 4E) with coverage of preparing a physical/technical system proposal (now in Chapter 9).
The systems design overview chapter (10) offers improved coverage of commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS) as an alternative to designing and developing an in-house solution. This 'route' introduces issues of both procurement and system integration. This changes the rules of engagement for system design.
The application architecture chapter (11) has been updated to reflect the latest in client/server, web, and other information technologies applicable to information systems. Physical data flow diagrams are used throughout the chapter to demonstrate modern architectures.
The output, input, and graphical user interface design chapters (13, 14, 15) have been further updated to reflect design considerations for both client/server (`fat client') and web-based (`thin client') applications.
The system implementation chapter (16) provides improved emphasis on system testing, conversion, and user training for distributed information systems.
The system support chapter (17) has been updated to reflect contemporary maintenance and reengineering issues including Year 2000 and the single European currency.