Computer Systems Analysts

Career Description: Analyze science, engineering, business, and all other data processing problems for application to electronic data processing systems. Analyze user requirements, procedures, and problems to automate or improve existing systems and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and scheduling limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software. May supervise computer programmers.

Industry: Computer and Mathematical

Other Job Titles for Computer Systems Analysts:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems.
• Test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the installation of computer programs and systems.
• Use object-oriented programming languages, as well as client and server applications development processes and multimedia and Internet technology.
• Confer with clients regarding the nature of the information processing or computation needs a computer program is to address.
• Coordinate and link the computer systems within an organization to increase compatibility and so information can be shared.
• Consult with management to ensure agreement on system principles.
• Expand or modify system to serve new purposes or improve work flow.
• Interview or survey workers, observe job performance or perform the job to determine what information is processed and how it is processed.
• Determine computer software or hardware needed to set up or alter system.
• Train staff and users to work with computer systems and programs.
• Analyze information processing or computation needs and plan and design computer systems, using techniques such as structured analysis, data modeling and information engineering.
• 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.
• Develop, document and revise system design procedures, test procedures, and quality standards.
• Review and analyze computer printouts and performance indicators to locate code problems, and correct errors by correcting codes.
• Recommend new equipment or software packages.
• Read manuals, periodicals, and technical reports to learn how to develop programs that meet staff and user requirements.
• Supervise computer programmers or other systems analysts or serve as project leaders for particular systems projects.
• Utilize the computer in the analysis and solution of business problems such as development of integrated production and inventory control and cost analysis systems.
• Prepare cost-benefit and return-on-investment analyses to aid in decisions on system implementation.
• Specify inputs accessed by the system and plan the distribution and use of the results.

Emerging Tasks

• n/a

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• adjust computer operation system
• analyze business, scientific, or technical problems in electronic data processing systems
• analyze programs using workflow chart or diagram
• analyze workflow
• communicate technical information
• conduct training for personnel
• confer with management or users
• consult with customers concerning needs
• consult with staff or users to identify operating procedure problems
• create mathematical or statistical diagrams or charts
• design computer hardware or software interface
• design computer programs or programming tools
• design control systems
• design data processing systems
• design data security systems
• design systems in cooperation with colleagues
• develop mathematical simulation models
• develop or maintain databases
• develop records management system
• develop tables depicting data
• encode equations for processing
• evaluate computer system user requests or requirements
• evaluate prototype computer software systems
• follow data security procedures
• follow data storage procedures
• implement computer system changes
• install computer programs
• maintain client-server database
• maintain or repair computers or related equipment
• make presentations
• monitor computer operation
• operate computer networks
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• prepare workflow chart
• program computers for electronic engineering applications
• program computers for management analysis applications
• program computers for medical applications
• program computers for social science applications
• program computers using existing software
• program mainframe computer
• provide technical computer training
• provide technical support to computer users
• recommend software or hardware purchases
• resolve computer program operational problems
• resolve symbolic formulations in data processing applications
• revise or correct errors in computer programs, software, or systems
• select business applications for computers
• supervise programming personnel
• test computer programs or systems
• train workers in use of equipment
• use computer application flow charts
• use computer networking technology
• use computer programming language
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use cost benefit analysis techniques
• use geographical information system (GIS) software
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use interviewing procedures
• use knowledge of mainframe computers
• use object-oriented computer programming techniques
• use project management techniques
• use relational database software
• use spreadsheet software
• use structural analysis techniques to analyze computer systems
• write business project or bid proposals
• write computer software, programs, or code
• write documentation for computer programming
• write technical specifications for computer systems, software or applications
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• write computer software, programs, or code
• write documentation for computer programming
• write research or project grant proposals
• write scholarly or technical research papers

Overall Experience
A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education
Most of these occupations require a four - year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Examples
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, human resource managers, computer programmers, teachers, chemists, and police detectives.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$35.14
• Average annual wage (2007) - $73,090.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 28.98%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 145,940
• Employment (2006): 503,631

• Computer Operators
• Computer Programmers
• Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
• Computer Security Specialists
• Computer Support Specialists
• Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
• Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts
• Numerical Tool and Process Control Programmers