An Introduction to Systems Analysis Techniques

Suitable for a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, the book lays a firm foundation in analysis, seeking to equip students for a real working environment. It will also help seasoned professionals refresh their skills.

Written by two authors with longstanding experience in teaching systems analysis techniques to students and professionals, the material in this book is presented in an easy, friendly and accessible style. Both structured and object-oriented techniques are covered in the book. The structured techniques include spray and tree diagrams, data flow diagrams, entity models, normalisation and entity life histories. The object-oriented techniques include class diagrams and use cases.

The approach throughout is to introduce each technique by the use of step-by-step worked examples followed by exercises related to the reader's experience.

The subject of systems analysis is set in a wider context, emphasising the business oriented approach.

This second edition also includes the first published introduction to the Process Improvement for Strategic Objectives (PISO(tm)) method for business re-engineering - developed at the University of Sunderland and gaining strong support in a wide range of private and public sector organisations.