Discuss the role of a systems analyst as a project manager. (at least one thousand words) .... you need to interview an analyst/project manager ..
Before I discuss the role of systems analyst as a project manager, let me define first what are systems analyst and a project manager. Enumerate the task and responsibilities on the said fields and identify the skills and characteristics needed on both sides. In addition, identify their individual roles in the organization.
Systems Analyst
As what Wikipedia said, “Systems Analyst is responsible for researching, planning, coordinating and recommending software and system choices to meet an organization's business requirements. The systems analyst plays a vital role in the systems development process”. The primary purpose of a systems analyst is to analyze administrative, reporting and statistical systems and develop methods for adapting these systems to electronic data processing. Traditionally, they define and maintain databases and files, logical sequence of information flow, requirements for programming and systems control parameters. They serve as the team leader for the development and implementation of system. They do this through proper planning, directing project activities, and providing work assignments to its technical personnel that was also assigned for the same project. Another important job of a systems analyst is that they are responsible in designing the software and hardware for the organization. Installations and configurations of new systems and hardware are also part of it. A systems analyst makes sure that all the company and the costumers’ needs will be catered. One of their main responsibilities is to come up with the most efficient computer solutions for the organization. They are the one in charge with the decisions on the different hardware, software and settings for the organization. That is why a systems analyst should be up-to-date with the new trends of information technology.
If we try to look back my older post on the second assignment of the said subject, I elaborated the skills and characteristics that a systems analyst must have based on what I have surf in the internet and based on our interview with the MIS supervisor of Sta. Ana Multipurpose Cooperative. From what I have surf, there are four skills and characteristics that are mentioned. They are technical skills, analytical skills, management skills and interpersonal skills. Based on what I have understood from our discussion with the SAMULCO’s MIS supervisor, he mentioned six skills and characteristics in which for him is necessary to be present in a systems analyst: Enough knowledge on systems integration or systems development, Must have a wholestic and detailed approach, Partially have a skill in calculating risk, People person with good communication skills, Must have an AQ or Adversity Quotient, and Flexible.
Project Manager
The project manager’s role is the overall responsibility for the successful planning, execution, monitoring, control and closure of a project. The project manager is the one who looks into the application of the knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to describe, organize and control the various project processes. He has the overall responsibility for the successful planning and execution of a project. He must be able to acquire combination skills including the ability to detect unstated statements, ask sensitive questions and determine interpersonal conflicts as well as more organized management talents. For some reasons, the roles of a project manager should be easy to describe but the challenging part is that the roles and responsibilities of a project manager depends on the company. Its different roles vary from company to company. In general, he is responsible for the overall success of the project.
I have surf the internet for some responsibilities of a project manager. Once the project starts, the project manager must successfully manage and control the work, including:
• Identifying, tracking managing and resolving project issues
• Proactively disseminating project information to all stakeholders
• Identifying, managing and mitigating project risk
• Ensuring that the solution is of acceptable quality
• Proactively managing scope to ensure that only what was agreed to is delivered, unless changes are approved through scope management
• Defining and collecting metrics to give a sense for how the project is progressing and whether the deliverables produced are acceptable
• Managing the overall schedule to ensure work is assigned and completed on time and within budget
The following responsibilities that are mentioned above doesn’t necessarily mean that the project manager must perform all, but he must make it sure that everything will happen. In addition to process skills, a project manager must have good people management skills. This includes:
• Having the discipline and general management skills to make sure that people follow the standard processes and procedures
• Establishing leadership skills to get the team to willingly follow your direction. Leadership is about communicating a vision and getting the team to accept it and strive to get there with you.
• Setting reasonable, challenging and clear expectations for people, and holding them accountable for meeting the expectations. This includes providing good performance feedback to team members
• Team building skills so that the people work together well, and feel motivated to work hard for the sake of the project and their other team members. The larger your team and the longer the project, the more important it is to have good team-building skills.
• Proactive verbal and written communicator skills, including good, active listening skills.
The role of system analyst as a project manager
Based on what I have searched and what I have understood in our interview with the MIS supervisor, a systems analyst also plays the role of a project manager. I can still remember that our interviewed personnel asked if we have a subject, project management. In our curriculum, we do not have a separate subject that focuses on project management because it was discussed in our software engineering discussions. He told us that it is important that we have a project management subject in preparation for our systems analysis and design subject. Going back on the role of systems analyst as a project manager, as what I have mentioned earlier and in my previous post, a systems analyst is responsible for researching, planning, coordinating and recommending software and system choices to meet an organization's business requirements while on the project manager’s role is the overall responsibility for the successful planning, execution, monitoring, control and closure of a project. Both fields focus on the development and success of a project that would also be developing new information systems. A systems analyst, if compared with project manager, is also part of the project management. These means, a systems analyst can also play the role of a project manager. A project manager may assist with the gathering of business requirements, which is also a responsibility of a systems analyst. Therefore, in developing a project or a system, both systems analyst and a project manager are needed on the team and can lead the team. Both should be a part of every part in the success of the project.
References:
http://www.lifecyclestep.com/open/407.1TheRoleoftheProjectManager.htm
http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/role-of-the-project-manager.html
www.wikipedia.com
Before I discuss the role of systems analyst as a project manager, let me define first what are systems analyst and a project manager. Enumerate the task and responsibilities on the said fields and identify the skills and characteristics needed on both sides. In addition, identify their individual roles in the organization.
Systems Analyst
As what Wikipedia said, “Systems Analyst is responsible for researching, planning, coordinating and recommending software and system choices to meet an organization's business requirements. The systems analyst plays a vital role in the systems development process”. The primary purpose of a systems analyst is to analyze administrative, reporting and statistical systems and develop methods for adapting these systems to electronic data processing. Traditionally, they define and maintain databases and files, logical sequence of information flow, requirements for programming and systems control parameters. They serve as the team leader for the development and implementation of system. They do this through proper planning, directing project activities, and providing work assignments to its technical personnel that was also assigned for the same project. Another important job of a systems analyst is that they are responsible in designing the software and hardware for the organization. Installations and configurations of new systems and hardware are also part of it. A systems analyst makes sure that all the company and the costumers’ needs will be catered. One of their main responsibilities is to come up with the most efficient computer solutions for the organization. They are the one in charge with the decisions on the different hardware, software and settings for the organization. That is why a systems analyst should be up-to-date with the new trends of information technology.
If we try to look back my older post on the second assignment of the said subject, I elaborated the skills and characteristics that a systems analyst must have based on what I have surf in the internet and based on our interview with the MIS supervisor of Sta. Ana Multipurpose Cooperative. From what I have surf, there are four skills and characteristics that are mentioned. They are technical skills, analytical skills, management skills and interpersonal skills. Based on what I have understood from our discussion with the SAMULCO’s MIS supervisor, he mentioned six skills and characteristics in which for him is necessary to be present in a systems analyst: Enough knowledge on systems integration or systems development, Must have a wholestic and detailed approach, Partially have a skill in calculating risk, People person with good communication skills, Must have an AQ or Adversity Quotient, and Flexible.
Project Manager
The project manager’s role is the overall responsibility for the successful planning, execution, monitoring, control and closure of a project. The project manager is the one who looks into the application of the knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to describe, organize and control the various project processes. He has the overall responsibility for the successful planning and execution of a project. He must be able to acquire combination skills including the ability to detect unstated statements, ask sensitive questions and determine interpersonal conflicts as well as more organized management talents. For some reasons, the roles of a project manager should be easy to describe but the challenging part is that the roles and responsibilities of a project manager depends on the company. Its different roles vary from company to company. In general, he is responsible for the overall success of the project.
I have surf the internet for some responsibilities of a project manager. Once the project starts, the project manager must successfully manage and control the work, including:
• Identifying, tracking managing and resolving project issues
• Proactively disseminating project information to all stakeholders
• Identifying, managing and mitigating project risk
• Ensuring that the solution is of acceptable quality
• Proactively managing scope to ensure that only what was agreed to is delivered, unless changes are approved through scope management
• Defining and collecting metrics to give a sense for how the project is progressing and whether the deliverables produced are acceptable
• Managing the overall schedule to ensure work is assigned and completed on time and within budget
The following responsibilities that are mentioned above doesn’t necessarily mean that the project manager must perform all, but he must make it sure that everything will happen. In addition to process skills, a project manager must have good people management skills. This includes:
• Having the discipline and general management skills to make sure that people follow the standard processes and procedures
• Establishing leadership skills to get the team to willingly follow your direction. Leadership is about communicating a vision and getting the team to accept it and strive to get there with you.
• Setting reasonable, challenging and clear expectations for people, and holding them accountable for meeting the expectations. This includes providing good performance feedback to team members
• Team building skills so that the people work together well, and feel motivated to work hard for the sake of the project and their other team members. The larger your team and the longer the project, the more important it is to have good team-building skills.
• Proactive verbal and written communicator skills, including good, active listening skills.
The role of system analyst as a project manager
Based on what I have searched and what I have understood in our interview with the MIS supervisor, a systems analyst also plays the role of a project manager. I can still remember that our interviewed personnel asked if we have a subject, project management. In our curriculum, we do not have a separate subject that focuses on project management because it was discussed in our software engineering discussions. He told us that it is important that we have a project management subject in preparation for our systems analysis and design subject. Going back on the role of systems analyst as a project manager, as what I have mentioned earlier and in my previous post, a systems analyst is responsible for researching, planning, coordinating and recommending software and system choices to meet an organization's business requirements while on the project manager’s role is the overall responsibility for the successful planning, execution, monitoring, control and closure of a project. Both fields focus on the development and success of a project that would also be developing new information systems. A systems analyst, if compared with project manager, is also part of the project management. These means, a systems analyst can also play the role of a project manager. A project manager may assist with the gathering of business requirements, which is also a responsibility of a systems analyst. Therefore, in developing a project or a system, both systems analyst and a project manager are needed on the team and can lead the team. Both should be a part of every part in the success of the project.
References:
http://www.lifecyclestep.com/open/407.1TheRoleoftheProjectManager.htm
http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/role-of-the-project-manager.html
www.wikipedia.com
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