Computer systems analyst

Also called: Applications Analyst, Applications Systems Analyst, Automatic Data Processing Planner, Business Systems Analyst, Computer Analyst

Computer systems analyst

Varies

estimated salary

Computer systems analyst analyzes science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex application problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions, improve existing computer systems, and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and schedule limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.

  • Test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the installation of computer programs and systems.
  • Troubleshoot program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning.
  • Expand or modify system to serve new purposes or improve work flow.
  • Use the computer in the analysis and solution of business problems, such as development of integrated production and inventory control and cost analysis systems.
  • Consult with management to ensure agreement on system principles.
  • Confer with clients regarding the nature of the information processing or computation needs a computer program is to address.
  • Develop, document, and revise system design procedures, test procedures, and quality standards.
  • Train staff and users to work with computer systems and programs.
  • Coordinate and link the computer systems within an organization to increase compatibility so that information can be shared.
  • Assess the usefulness of pre-developed application packages and adapt them to a user environment.
  • Define the goals of the system and devise flow charts and diagrams describing logical operational steps of programs.
  • Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer-related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems.
  • Use object-oriented programming languages, as well as client and server applications development processes and multimedia and Internet technology.
  • Review and analyze computer printouts and performance indicators to locate code problems, and correct errors by correcting codes.
  • Supervise computer programmers or other systems analysts or serve as project leaders for particular systems projects.
  • Read manuals, periodicals, and technical reports to learn how to develop programs that meet staff and user requirements.
  • Determine computer software or hardware needed to set up or alter system.
  • Analyze information processing or computation needs and plan and design computer systems, using techniques such as structured analysis, data modeling, and information engineering.
  • Interview or survey workers, observe job performance, or perform the job to determine what information is processed and how it is processed.
  • Specify inputs accessed by the system and plan the distribution and use of the results.
  • Prepare cost-benefit and return-on-investment analyses to aid in decisions on system implementation.
  • Recommend new equipment or software packages.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 100% responded "Every day".
  • Telephone — 90% responded "Every day".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 94% responded "Every day".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 62% responded "Extremely important".
  • Spend Time Sitting — 51% responded "Continually or almost continually".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 60% responded "Extremely important".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 78% responded "Every day".
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Work Activities
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Troubleshoot issues with computer applications or systems.
  • Provide technical support for software maintenance or use.
  • Monitor computer system performance to ensure proper operation.
  • Test software performance.
  • Coordinate software or hardware installation.
  • Write computer programming code.
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Knowledge

Computers and Electronics
  • Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service
  • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Mathematics
  • Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Skills

Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Deductive Reasoning
  • The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Oracle Hyperion Hot Technology
  • Oracle Fusion Applications Hot Technology
  • NetSuite ERP Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Dynamics GP Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Dynamics Hot Technology
  • SAP Business Objects Hot Technology
  • SAP Hot Technology
  • Oracle PeopleSoft Financials Hot Technology
  • Oracle PeopleSoft Hot Technology
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Hot Technology
Operating system software
  • Microsoft Windows Server Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Windows Hot Technology
  • Linux Hot Technology
  • Shell script Hot Technology
  • UNIX Shell Hot Technology
  • UNIX Hot Technology
  • Oracle Solaris Hot Technology
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Hot Technology
  • Bash Hot Technology
  • Apple macOS Hot Technology
  • Ubuntu
  • KornShell
  • Job control language JCL
  • Hewlett Packard HP-UX
Development environment software
  • Microsoft Visual Studio Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScript Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Visual Basic Hot Technology
  • National Instruments LabVIEW Hot Technology
  • Microsoft PowerShell Hot Technology
  • Integrated development environment IDE software Hot Technology
  • Microsoft .NET Framework Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Azure Hot Technology
  • Ruby Hot Technology
  • Eclipse IDE Hot Technology
  • Apache Kafka Hot Technology
  • Common business oriented language COBOL Hot Technology
  • Apache Ant Hot Technology
  • Go Hot Technology
  • Ada
  • Adobe Systems Adobe ActionScript
  • Apache Maven
  • Verilog
  • Symantec Visual Cafe
  • Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
  • Embarcadero JBuilder
  • IBM Rational ClearQuest
  • IBM Rational Rose XDE Developer
  • J
  • Oracle Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition J2EE
  • C
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