Slepi.NET

System Analysis is a phase in SDLC, in which the process of gathering information about the current system (called the As-Is system), identifying and analyzing its strengths and weaknesses, is conducted. Expected deliverable of this analysis phase is a conceptual/logical design of the new system (called the To-Be system) which will be built (in the next phase - design phase) based on the requirements. Note that the term As-Is system here refers to any existing system whether it's computerized or not, thus it's not necessarily be about an installation of software packages or certain computer applications.

SDLC defines three fundamental strategies for system analysis, each strategy is not likely better than others but rather more suitable for certain type of projects or system requirements. It is the responsibility of a System Analyst to choose the most appropriate strategy for the project. All three strategies have the similarity in that they all cover all three processes described above. For a relatively complex system, it is common to complete the process in an iterative manner, going forth and back repeatedly in order to make better analysis.

SDLC (System Development Life Cycle), just as the name implies, is defined as the process (as a whole) of developing system or software to meet certain requirements. It covers many activities; starts from understanding why the system should be built, studying the project feasibility, analyzing problems, choosing the system design and architecture, implementing and testing it, up to delivering the system as product to the user. SDLC is a process of gradual refinement, meaning that it is done through several development phases. Each phase continues and refines what's done in the previous phase.

SDLC tries to achieve high quality system that meets or exceeds the requirements. Many methodologies have been developed and introduced in order to implement SDLC; some of them also try to improve other (previously) known methodology. Although each method follows certain different techniques and steps, they are all must go into the same development phases described above. There are many system development methods known today, but most of them basically are extended from three main methodologies which are Structured Design, RAD (Rapid Application Development), and Object-oriented Analysis and Design.