Week 11: Clear

        The concept that was most clear to me this week was the lecture on system analysts. Systems function together to achieve a common goal, and one specific type, information systems, have hardware, software, data, people and processes work together to produce quality information. System analysts are key in the process because they determine needs, solve problems, define requirements, and work around roadblocks. System analysts are not usually the developers or the programmers: they are normally the program managers. Qualities of a good system analyst are that he/she is a good listener and communicator and is knowledgeable about the organization. A good system analyst also involves the users and enjoys writing documentation. I also learned more about the role of a system analyst and project manager from the interview posted with Christine Schoaff, UF Web Administration. She talked about how she juggles alot of projects at one time, normally 3-12 projects at one time. She talked about how it is first important for the requirements to be established and communicated. She described her role as an umpire or referee and firmly stated that there must be respect and communication. She added that one can facilitate communication by being patient, keeping an open mind, appreciating opinions, and respecting that everyone has value. Another key point she stressed was that failing is easy, and her job is to work with others to make a project go smoothly and succeed. At the end of the interview, I got out of it that I should offer to make holiday dinner for my family and use the opportunity to treat it like a project (structure and plan it). I will try to look at my life and see how to make it go more smoothly, as she suggested. 
    This topic of system analysts is key in the business environment because making a project go smoothly is important in almost everyone's life. Just like Christine Schoaff suggested treating the task of making a holiday dinner for the family as a project, many everyday tasks can be treated like a project. In the business environment, it is important to apply the qualities of a good system analyst. It is necessary to be a good listener, communicate effectively, and be knowledgeable about the organization. Listening and communication are key, and as Christine Schoaff stressed, being patient and respecting other opinions is very important in the business environment because there may be lots of group projects where you are not working alone and need to work together to reach a decision or course of action.
     Here is a website that relates to this week's topic of system analysts.It describes how a system analyst works with computers and that once given a task, he/she breaks it down into smaller steps that can be planned out. It restates things I learned during this week like the importance of logical thinking and high level communication skills. This website expands further and mentions the income from the profession and the current availability of jobs.





Works Cited:

http://www.bls.gov/k12/computers06.htm