SYSTEMS ANALYST
Alternative role name: BUSINESS PROCESS ENGINEER RESPONSIBILITIES (activities) 1. Assists current or potential application users in identifying and describing problems or opportunities that might be addressed either: a) by implementing a new (automated or manual) system, or b) by changing an existing application system. Investigates such problems and opportunities to determine the feasibility of a system solution and to identify the general kinds of system solution that appear appropriate. Analyzes users’ business requirements in detail and, where appropriate, prepares functional specifications1 for a proposed new (or changed) system.2 Assists and guides prospective users of a proposed new or changed system in: a) quantifying the benefits of having the system (or the penalties for not having it), and b) assessing the impact of the system on their organization and on the operation of their business. Obtains rough estimates of the cost of operating and maintaining a proposed new or changed system, assuming use of appropriate technology, tools, and methods. Assists the project manager3 in identifying the skills and resources needed to implement a new system or to modify an existing system, and in preparing rough estimates of: a) the cost of developing or changing the system, b) the duration of a project to do so. Assists the sponsoring users in: a) analyzing the costs, benefits, risks, and return-on-investment of the proposed new system, b) understanding the exact nature of the proposed system, c) deciding whether to proceed with the implementation. Designs and develops users' manuals4 and corresponding training programs for a system being developed. Prepares, in consultation with users, implementers, and operations representatives, the acceptance (or parallel) test plan for any new or changed system. Assists the users in preparing for the installation and start-up of any new system being implemented.
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