Among the roles an analyst performs are change agent, monitor, architect, psychologist, salesperson, motivator and politician. Change Agen...
Among the roles an analyst performs are change agent, monitor, architect, psychologist, salesperson, motivator and politician.
Change Agent
The analyst may be viewed as an agent of change. A candidate system is designed to introduce change and reorientation in how the user organization handles information or makes decisions. It is important, that the user accept change. Analyst can secure user acceptance is through user participation during design and implementation.
In the role of a change agent, the systems analyst may select various styles to introduce change to the user organization. The styles range from that of persuader (the mildest form of intervention) to imposer (the most severe intervention). In between there are the catalyst and the confronter roles. When the user appears to have a tolerance for change the persuader or catalyst style is appropriate. On the other hand, when drastic changes are required, it may be necessary to adopt the confronter or even the imposer style. No matter what style is used, the goal is same: to achieve acceptance of the candidate system with a minimum of resistance.
Investigator and monitor
In defining a problem, the analyst will collect and put together all the information to determine why the present system does not work well and what changes will correct the problem. This work is similar to that of an investigator- extracting the real problems from existing systems and creating information structures that uncover previously unknown trends that may have a direct impact on the organization.
Related to the role of investigator is that of monitor. To undertake and successfully complete a project, the analyst must monitor programs in relation to time, cost, and quantity.Of these resources, time is the most important. If time “gets away”, the project suffers from increased costs and wasted human resources.Implementation will also get delayed.
Architect
As architect an analyst must create detailed physical design of candidate system. He aids users in formalizing abstract ideas and provides details to build the end product-the candidate system.
Psychologist
The analyst plays the role of a psychologist in the way he reaches people interprets their thoughts, assesses their behavior, and draws conclusions from these interactions. Understanding interfunctional relationships is important. It must be aware of people’s feelings and be prepared to get around things in a graceful way. The art of listening is important in evaluating responses and feedback.
Salesperson
Selling change can be crucial as initiating change. Selling the system actually takes place at each step in the system life cycle. Sales skills and persuasiveness are crucial to the success of the system.
Motivator
A candidate system must be well designed and acceptable to the user. The analyst role as a motivator becomes obvious during the first few weeks after implementation and during times when turn over results in new people being trained to work with the candidate system. The amount of dedication it takes to motivate users often taxes the analyst’s abilities to maintain the pace.
Politician
In implementing a candidate system, the analyst tries to appease all parties involves. Diplomacy and finesse in dealing with people can improve acceptance of the system. In as much as a politician must have the support of his or her constituency, so is the analyst’s goal to have the support of the users staff. He or she represents their thinking and tries to achieve their goals through computerization.
In summary these multiple roles require analysts to be orderly, approach a problem in a logical, methodical way and pay attention to details.
Change Agent
The analyst may be viewed as an agent of change. A candidate system is designed to introduce change and reorientation in how the user organization handles information or makes decisions. It is important, that the user accept change. Analyst can secure user acceptance is through user participation during design and implementation.
In the role of a change agent, the systems analyst may select various styles to introduce change to the user organization. The styles range from that of persuader (the mildest form of intervention) to imposer (the most severe intervention). In between there are the catalyst and the confronter roles. When the user appears to have a tolerance for change the persuader or catalyst style is appropriate. On the other hand, when drastic changes are required, it may be necessary to adopt the confronter or even the imposer style. No matter what style is used, the goal is same: to achieve acceptance of the candidate system with a minimum of resistance.
Investigator and monitor
In defining a problem, the analyst will collect and put together all the information to determine why the present system does not work well and what changes will correct the problem. This work is similar to that of an investigator- extracting the real problems from existing systems and creating information structures that uncover previously unknown trends that may have a direct impact on the organization.
Related to the role of investigator is that of monitor. To undertake and successfully complete a project, the analyst must monitor programs in relation to time, cost, and quantity.Of these resources, time is the most important. If time “gets away”, the project suffers from increased costs and wasted human resources.Implementation will also get delayed.
Architect
As architect an analyst must create detailed physical design of candidate system. He aids users in formalizing abstract ideas and provides details to build the end product-the candidate system.
Psychologist
The analyst plays the role of a psychologist in the way he reaches people interprets their thoughts, assesses their behavior, and draws conclusions from these interactions. Understanding interfunctional relationships is important. It must be aware of people’s feelings and be prepared to get around things in a graceful way. The art of listening is important in evaluating responses and feedback.
Salesperson
Selling change can be crucial as initiating change. Selling the system actually takes place at each step in the system life cycle. Sales skills and persuasiveness are crucial to the success of the system.
Motivator
A candidate system must be well designed and acceptable to the user. The analyst role as a motivator becomes obvious during the first few weeks after implementation and during times when turn over results in new people being trained to work with the candidate system. The amount of dedication it takes to motivate users often taxes the analyst’s abilities to maintain the pace.
Politician
In implementing a candidate system, the analyst tries to appease all parties involves. Diplomacy and finesse in dealing with people can improve acceptance of the system. In as much as a politician must have the support of his or her constituency, so is the analyst’s goal to have the support of the users staff. He or she represents their thinking and tries to achieve their goals through computerization.
In summary these multiple roles require analysts to be orderly, approach a problem in a logical, methodical way and pay attention to details.