Data Systems Analyst
What does a systems analyst do?
A systems analyst is the IT professional responsible for designing graphical models that will be used as guidelines to build a computer program. Many different techniques are used for different phases of development of a system. UML and Project Management are the most used.
Like an architect, the analyst is needed when a program needs to be built. Once done, the program is ready to be used and the analyst is assigned to another job. Improvements can happen along the way but for each change and upgrade a new project must be created and new models designed.
The systems analyst will plan which data a company has to collect, how it is going to be collected and stored, and finally how they are going to be used to result in a program that is useful.
Planing in advance
What are the basic need for this program? Who will use it? Who will develop it? Which sub-systems talk to which, and how?
Who will be responsible for answering these questions (and will be fired if get them wrong)? The system analyst!
How to know beforehand what a computer software will have to do? Briefing with the client (who is paying for the development).
Designing Models for Information Systems
I was a developer myself for many years and believe me, there is nothing worst than receiving a 30 pages report of technical stuff that will take a week to understand. Here is a tip: computer developers are normally pleased with graphics.
Images, small diagrams, video presentations, everything that makes IT life more interesting will have a good response. The analyst must understand that and try to create the most comprehensive documents to be immediately digested by all kinds of developers of all ages, from all countries, specialists of all computer languages and with all levels of "geekyness".
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