Systems Analyst as a professional

Designing & Implementing systems to suit accordingly organizational needs are the functions of the system analyst. A systems analyst is an entity or person who conducts accurate study, identifies objectives and activities and analyzes a complete procedure to achieve the objectives. The domain of the systems analyst is not confined to data processing as such, because it mainly deals heavily with procedures, people and technology. Common sense, a structured framework, & a disciplined approach to solving problems are part of analysis.

Role of a Systems Analyst

A systems analyst plays an important and multifaceted role. He mainly performs as a change agent, monitor, motivator, architect, psychologist, salesperson and politician.

Systems Analysis Skills

An analyst must possess many skills to effectively carry out the desired job. Particularly, they can be divided into two main categories: interpersonal & technical. Both are required for system development. Interpersonal skills deal with relationships or the interface of the analyst with people in business. Technical skills focus on procedures or techniques for operations analysis, computer science and systems analysis.

Library Professionals as System Analysts

Never before has the library profession faced so many challenges. The twenty-first century has emerged as an exciting time of transition and change for libraries that has largely been effected by information technology applications in libraries.

Computers are playing a very crucial role in the library and so much so that a library is not considered modern without the advent of computerization activities. Information technology applications in libraries are used extensively for automation of library functions, networking, design and development of bibliographic databases, accessing Internet and electronic information resources.

With such large scale application of information technology in libraries, it is expected of library professionals to have adequate grasp and knowledge of IT applications. In India, where 80% of the libraries are still traditional in nature, library professionals have a major role to play in automation and networking of libraries.

For the creation of a new and modern library system or for modernization of an existing system, knowing of the concepts of system analysis is not only useful but immensely helpful. The U.S. Department of Labor has classified librarians as system analysts and database specialists owing to the shift from the traditional work settings. Some libraries in the U.S even have positions of Library System Analyst in addition to the other regular library positions.

As computerization and networking activities of libraries in India grow, the role of library professionals as systems analyst will become more profound and important.