Systems analysis is the study of how the parts of a system work together. A system is any group of people, machines, or processes that combine to do a certain job.
The goal of systems analysis is to find the best way for a system to accomplish its task. For example, a high school is a system that includes students, teachers, teaching materials, and classrooms. Systems analysis can develop student schedules that make the most efficient use of the teachers, materials, and classrooms. Systems analysis is used in many fields, including the armed forces, business, economics, education, government, industry, the sciences, and transportation.
Systems analysis usually uses advanced mathematics. A systems analyst uses mathematical equations to describe the relationships between the different parts of a system. These equations make up a mathematical model of the system. Then the model is analyzed mathematically. This stage requires the solution of long, difficult mathematical problems. Systems analysts frequently use computers to help find the answers to these problems.
The techniques of systems analysis were developed starting in the late 1930’s. The later development of electronic computers resulted in the widespread use of systems analysis.
