Systems Analysis and Design (6th Edition) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Kendalls have definitely created a comprehensive book on systems analysis. Virtually every aspect is covered here, and in plenty of detail. There are plenty of review questions and problems, hypothetical consulting situations, an ongoing case-study, and even an associated web-based case study.
While being well written, I feel that this text may be a bit overdone. Most sections are longer than neccessary, over-explaining fairly obvious concepts. So although the reader can never complain about being short-changed, I would be amazed if any reader needed ALL of the explanations to understand what was being discussed.
I have also noticed a few cases of dated information creeping through from previous editions. One example is a discussion on groupware that talks about features of Windows for Workgroups and Windows NT, and mentions the 'upcoming' Chicago release. Chicago was the working name for Windows 95, which was hardly 'upcoming' for a text published in 1999.
It feels as if the Kendalls have been adding new information to their revised editions, but not revising thoroughly enough to remove old or out of date references. If a really good job of revision was done here, I think this text could be reduced by at least a hundred pages or so without any real loss of useful content.
Since it emphasises practice more than theory, it may not appeal to all types, but for anyone who needs to know HOW to be a systems analyst, this is probably the book to read.

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Dynamic, comprehensive coverage makes this the perfect book on systems analysis and design, with a reader-friendly presentation of development, methods, tools, and techniques. A variety of review questions and problems, an ongoing case study, and an Internet-based case study offer learners an understandable and motivating look at the SAD field. For production supervisors and other business personnel in similar positions who want a working knowledge—without the in-depth command—of information systems.

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Systems Analysis and Design (Shelly Cashman) Review

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(More customer reviews)There are few things I can say after reading this book pretty much from cover to cover:
- Nowadays there are lots of critics of structured SAD, so if you're happen to be one of them, I am pretty sure you will not give this text a good grade. While it does cover Object-Oriented SAD, it is not build upon it. This text (as it seems to me) is revolves around structured SAD using SDLC.
- I liked this text because it has LOTS of colorful diagrams, screen-shots, and charts. This gives a text more alive presentation and makes it more fun to read, even though you're getting lost in terms and abbreviation.
- The text has plenty of abbreviations because SAD process integrates all system components. You can imagine how much data that is, especially considering the fact of collecting that data and organizing it.
- I thing this text by itself will not make you an system analyst. You will need to read more, but it serves well as an introduction to SAD.
The obvious negative thing - these editions that coming up new each year are costly for students, but this is a issue of all comp. textbooks, not just this.Brief contents:
-ch 1. Introduction to Systems Analysis and Design
PHASE 1: SYSTEM PLANNING
-ch 2. Analyzing the business case
PHASE 2: SYSTEM ANALYSIS
-ch 3. Requirements modeling
-ch 4. Data and process modeling
-ch 5. Object modeling
-ch 6. Development strategies
PHASE 3: SYSTEM DESIGN
-ch 7. Output and user interface design
-ch 8. Data Design
-ch 9. System architecture
PHASE 4: Systems implementation
-ch10. Systems implementation
PHASE 5: SYSTEMS OPERATION, SUPPORT, AND SECURITY
-ch11. Systems operation, support and security
THE SYSTEM ANALYST'S TOOLKIT
Toolkit 1: Communication tools
Toolkit 2: CASE Tools
Toolkit 3: Financial Analysis Tools
Toolkit 4: Project Management Tools
Toolkit 5: Internet Resource Tools


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Building on the proven pedagogy of its predecessors, with an increased focus on object modeling and project management, Systems Analysis and Design, Seventh Edition presents a clear introduction to systems analysis and design. Students will find concepts easy-to-understand through the clear writing style and full-color figures that illustrate current technology and trends. Examples and cases are drawn from actual systems projects that enable students to learn in the context of solving problems, much like the ones they will encounter on the job. This approach, combined with motivating tools such as the SCR Associates interactive Web-Based Case Study, Systems Analyst's Toolkit, the Student Study Tool on CD-ROM, and more, makes Systems Analysis and Design, Seventh Edition a wise and exciting choice for your introductory systems analysis and design class.

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The Business Analyst's Handbook Review

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(More customer reviews)This book has solid reference material that experienced Business Analysts can utilize on virtually any assignment. This is not the best book for a new Business Analyst and is really geared towards a practitioner that understands their craft and appreciates additional guidance. Coverage of techniques and models is very comprehensive.

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The Business Analyst (BA) plays an important role as liaison between business stakeholders and the technical team (software developers, vendors, etc.), ensuring that business needs are reflected in any software solution. Despite the importance of the job, there is currently no book specifically designed as a comprehensive reference manual for the working BA. The Business Analyst's Handbook solves this problem by providing a useful compendium of tools, tables, lists, and templates that BAs can use on-the-job to carry out their tasks. For example, you might be preparing for an interview session and use the book's checklist of interviewees to verify whether there is appropriate coverage of business stakeholders. Or you might be asked to review some diagrams and refer to the Glossaries of Symbols (organized by diagram type) for guidance. Or you may be asked to prepare textual requirements documentation and refer to the Business Requirement template for a list of artifacts and table of contents. Whatever your BA needs, the Business Analyst's Handbook places the necessary information right at your fingertips.

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Systems Analysis and Design (Shelly Cashman) Review

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(More customer reviews)The book is easy to read and understand, but it is supposed to come with a printed access card to allow access to additional resources on the website. My book was missing this card. There was nothing in the description while ordering the book to indicate that this item was needed.
Back to the book... it is clear and concise with good examples. Some things are a bit wrong or impractical for real-world use, but it is acceptable for providing an overview for a beginner.

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SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN, NINTH EDITION offers a practical, visually appealing approach to information systems development.

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UML for the IT Business Analyst: A Practical Guide to Object-Oriented Requirements Gathering Review

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(More customer reviews)Many other good books are available for learning the UML. There are good books for learning to write Use Cases. This book's real strength is that it offers a practical method for Business Analysis that uses the UML and Use Cases. This is very important because books explaining UML typically offer lots of details and a focuss on how developers might use the UML in blueprinting a system; this book, instead, explains when, why, and how the BA can use the UML and Use Cases to model and analyze the business context and business requirements, as well as ensure that business value is delivered.

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The IT Business Analyst is one of the fastest growing roles in the IT industry. Business Analysts are found in almost all large organizations and are important members of any IT team whether in the private or public sector. "UML for the IT Business Analyst" provides a clear, step-by-step guide to how the Business Analyst can perform his or her role using state-of-the-art object-oriented technology. Business analysts are required to understand object-oriented technology although there are currently no other books that address their unique needs as non-programmers using this technology. Assuming no prior knowledge of business analysis, IT, or object-orientation, material is presented in a narrative, chronological, hands-on style using a real-world case study. Upon completion of "UML for the IT Business Analyst" the reader will have created an actual business requirements document using all of the techniques of object-orientation required of a Business Analyst. "UML for the IT Business Analyst" puts together all of the technology pieces needed to proficiently perform the Business Analyst role.

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