SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND

DESIGN
What is System?
• The word System is derived from Greek word Systema,
which means an organized relationship between any set
of components to achieve some common cause or
objective.
• A system is “an orderly grouping of interdependent
components linked together according to a plan to
achieve a specific goal.”
CONSTRAINTS OF A SYSTEM
• A system must have three basic constraints −
• A system must have some structure and behaviour which
is designed to achieve a predefined objective.
• Interconnectivity and interdependence must exist
among the system components.
• The objectives of the organization have a higher
priority than the objectives of its subsystems.
• For example, traffic management system, payroll system,
automatic library system, human resources information
system.
PROPERTIES OF A SYSTEM
• A system has the following properties −
1) Organization
2) Interaction
3) Interdependence
4) Integration
5) Central objective
ORGANIZATION:
• Organization implies structure and order. It is the
arrangement of components that helps to achieve
predetermined objectives.
INTERACTION:
• It is defined by the manner in which the components
operate with each other.
• For example, in an organization, purchasing department
must interact with production department and payroll
with personnel department.
INTERDEPENDENCE:
• Interdependence means how the components of a
system depend on one another. For proper functioning,
the components are coordinated and linked together
according to a specified plan. The output of one
subsystem is the required by other subsystem as input.
INTEGRATION:
• Integration is concerned with how a system components
are connected together. It means that the parts of the
system work together within the system even if each
part performs a unique function.
CENTRAL OBJECTIVE:
• The objective of system must be central. It may be real
or stated. It is not uncommon for an organization to
state an objective and operate to achieve another.
• The users must know the main objective of a computer
application early in the analysis for a successful design
and conversion.
ELEMENTS OF A SYSTEM:
• The following diagram shows the elements of a system
−
OUTPUTS AND INPUTS:
• The main aim of a system is to produce an output which
is useful for its user.
• Inputs are the information that enters into the system
for processing.
• Output is the outcome of processing.
PROCESSOR(S)
• The processor is the element of a system that involves
the actual transformation of input into output.
• It is the operational component of a system. Processors
may modify the input either totally or partially,
depending on the output specification.
• As the output specifications change, so does the
processing. In some cases, input is also modified to
enable the processor for handling the transformation.
CONTROL:
• The control element guides the system.
• It is the decision–making subsystem that controls the
pattern of activities governing input, processing, and
output.
• The behaviour of a computer System is controlled by
the Operating System and software. In order to keep
system in balance, what and how much input is needed
is determined by Output Specifications.
FEEDBACK:
• Feedback provides the control in a dynamic system.
• Positive feedback is routine in nature that encourages
the performance of the system.
• Negative feedback is informational in nature that
provides the controller with information for action.
Environment:
• The environment is the “supersystem” within which an
organization operates.
• It is the source of external elements that strike on the
system.
• It determines how a system must function. For example,
vendors and competitors of organization’s environment,
may provide constraints that affect the actual
performance of the business.
BOUNDARIES AND INTERFACE:
• A system should be defined by its boundaries.
Boundaries are the limits that identify its components,
processes, and interrelationship when it interfaces with
another system.
• Each system has boundaries that determine its sphere
of influence and control.
• The knowledge of the boundaries of a given system is
crucial in determining the nature of its interface with
other systems for successful design.
TYPES OF SYSTEM:
• The systems can be divided into the following types −
PHYSICAL OR ABSTRACT SYSTEM:
• Physical systems are tangible entities. We can touch and
feel them.
• Physical System may be static or dynamic in nature. For
example, desks and chairs are the physical parts of
computer centre which are static. A programmed
computer is a dynamic system in which programs, data,
and applications can change according to the user's
needs.
• Abstract systems are non-physical entities or conceptual
that may be formulas, representation or model of a real
system.
OPEN OR CLOSED SYSTEM:
• An open system must interact with its environment. It
receives inputs from and delivers outputs to the outside
of the system. For example, an information system
which must adapt to the changing environmental
conditions.
• A closed system does not interact with its environment.
It is isolated from environmental influences. A
completely closed system is rare in reality.
ADAPTIVE AND NON- ADAPTIVE
SYSTEM
• Adaptive System responds to the change in the
environment in a way to improve their performance and
to survive. For example, human beings, animals.
• Non- Adaptive System is the system which does not
respond to the environment. For example, machines.
PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY
SYSTEM:
• Permanent System persists for long time. For example,
business policies.
• Temporary System is made for specified time and after
that they are demolished. For example, A DJ system is
set up for a program and it is dissembled after the
program.
NATURAL AND MANUFACTURED
SYSTEM:
• Natural systems are created by the nature. For example,
Solar system, seasonal system.
• Manufactured System is the man-made system. For
example, Rockets, dams, trains.
DETERMINISTIC OR PROABILISTIC
SYSTEM:
• Deterministic system operates in a predictable manner
and the interaction between system components is
known with certainty. For example, two molecules of
hydrogen and one molecule of oxygen makes water.
• Probabilistic System shows uncertain behavior. The
exact output is not known. For example, Weather
forecasting, mail delivery.
SOCIAL, HUMAN-MACHINE, MACHINE
SYSTEM:
• Social System is made up of people. For example, social
clubs, societies.
• In Human-Machine System, both human and machines
are involved to perform a particular task. For example,
Computer programming.
• Machine System is where human interference is
neglected. All the tasks are performed by the machine.
For example, an autonomous robot.
MAN-MADE INFORMATION SYSTEMS:
• It is an interconnected set of information resources to manage data for
particular organization, under Direct Management Control (DMC).
• This system includes hardware, software, communication, data, and
application for producing information according to the need of an
organization.
• Man-made information systems are divided into three types −
• Formal Information System − It is based on the flow of information in the
form of memos, instructions, etc., from top level to lower levels of
management.
• Informal Information System − This is employee- based system which
solves the day to day work related problems.
• Computer Based System − This system is directly dependent on the
computer for managing business applications. For example, automatic
library system, railway reservation system, banking system, etc.