Attributes of a Systems Analyst
Attributes and Skills of a Systems Analyst
Ruth Yother Padula
Northern Arizona University
Essentials of Management Information Systems
BBA 340
Professor Brooke Kradell Estabrook-Fishinghawk
April 19, 2012
Attributes and Skills of a Systems Analyst
The role of a systems analyst is vital to the success of any organization. In this role, the systems analyst is responsible for being the “liaison” between the technology department and all other departments within the company (Laudon & Laudon, 2011, p. 68). There are several key skills and characteristics necessary to be an effective systems analyst. The person performing this role needs to have excellent communication skills, planning and organizational skills, and managerial skills. While the systems analyst must constantly continue his education as it pertains to new software and hardware systems, there are other roles an analyst is expected to fill. The analyst needs to establish a working relationship with other departments. This allows the analyst to obtain data to assist with the department’s information technology needs. A characteristic that would be demonstrated in this area is that of teamwork. The analyst has to put the needs of the company first and be able to interact with all types of people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n.d., p. 5). The position relies on the ability to solve problems within the business. Therefore, the analyst needs to have a clear understanding of how the business operates. By meeting with the various departments, the analyst is able to understand what problem exists and what options are available to resolve the problem (Laudon & Laudon, 2011, p.381). The analyst needs to decide which option will work best for the department and translate that option into a viable working solution (Laudon & Laudon, 2011, p.381).
Since this position requires interfacing with both the IT department and other areas of the company, a systems analyst would need to be
Ruth Yother Padula
Northern Arizona University
Essentials of Management Information Systems
BBA 340
Professor Brooke Kradell Estabrook-Fishinghawk
April 19, 2012
Attributes and Skills of a Systems Analyst
The role of a systems analyst is vital to the success of any organization. In this role, the systems analyst is responsible for being the “liaison” between the technology department and all other departments within the company (Laudon & Laudon, 2011, p. 68). There are several key skills and characteristics necessary to be an effective systems analyst. The person performing this role needs to have excellent communication skills, planning and organizational skills, and managerial skills. While the systems analyst must constantly continue his education as it pertains to new software and hardware systems, there are other roles an analyst is expected to fill. The analyst needs to establish a working relationship with other departments. This allows the analyst to obtain data to assist with the department’s information technology needs. A characteristic that would be demonstrated in this area is that of teamwork. The analyst has to put the needs of the company first and be able to interact with all types of people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n.d., p. 5). The position relies on the ability to solve problems within the business. Therefore, the analyst needs to have a clear understanding of how the business operates. By meeting with the various departments, the analyst is able to understand what problem exists and what options are available to resolve the problem (Laudon & Laudon, 2011, p.381). The analyst needs to decide which option will work best for the department and translate that option into a viable working solution (Laudon & Laudon, 2011, p.381).
Since this position requires interfacing with both the IT department and other areas of the company, a systems analyst would need to be
References: CareerBuilder.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails. Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2011). Essentials of Management Information Systems (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education publishing as Prentice Hall. Monster.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://jobview.monster.com/IT-Systems-Analyst-Advisor-Business-Analyst-Job-Atlanta-GA-108382782.aspx. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/print/computer-systems-analysts.