Systems Analysis and Design: An Organizational Approach - Hardcover

The process of analysing and designing systems is constantly changing. This outstanding new text follows the changes and also looks ahead to important trends. With relevant timeliness and user friendly style, "Systems Analysis and Design" presents systems theory based on the latest technology and provides a clear look at contemporary trends like end-user computing and how systems work in particular organisational settings. The book's versatility enables instructors to use it in conjunction with any of the popular systems approaches that have developed over the past decade, particularly the integrating of CASE tools into the classroom. Features: * This versatile text can be used effectively with any of the popular approaches to systems work, whether the emphasis is on CASE tools, system life cycle methodologies, prototyping, systems theory, or business systems. * The book describes systems work in an organizational setting, with a unique business-oriented strategic approach to systems analysis and design. It reflects the trend that the systems of individuals and departments must support the organization's strategic objectives. This organizational focus also helps students channel their efforts in the proper direction once they enter the business world. * Each chapter begins and ends with a special insert on CASE tool technology, showing how it is related to the topical coverage in the chapter. * By addressing the trend to end-user computing wherein systems analysts are no longer developing all of an organization's computer applications, the text illustrates the shift in the systems analyst's responsibility and prepares future information specialists to function in such a setting. * System controls and security are covered more thoroughly than in competing texts. This text contains arguably the best description of computer viruses in its field. * A look at systems analysis as a career, and descriptions of popular systems tools, give students a better idea of the job itself and what it takes to be successful at it. * Each chapter begins with an introduction and learning objectives, and ends with key terms and key concepts lists, questions and problems. Important vocabulary terms are boldfaced and completely defined, alternate definitions are provided in the book's glossary. * One or two case problems per chapter relate the material to a business situation, and boxed inserts relate chapter material to the CASE approach to system development. The text's very readable style is enhanced with numerous diagrams and illustrations.