In systems analysis and design, which statement about the role of a system analyst is most accurate for real-world software projects?

Introduction / Context:
A system analyst is central to translating business needs into implementable technical solutions. Understanding what they actually do versus common misconceptions helps clarify roles in software development and boosts team effectiveness.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The context is information systems projects (requirements, analysis, design, and transition to development).
• System analysts collaborate with end users, managers, and programmers.
• The phrase ‘‘system software’’ usually refers to low-level OS or utility software, typically engineered by systems programmers, not business system analysts.

Concept / Approach:
System analysts elicit and model requirements, specify processes and data, evaluate alternatives, and ensure solutions meet user needs. They ‘‘bridge’’ business stakeholders and technical teams, maintaining traceability from requirements to delivered features throughout the system development life cycle (SDLC).

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard job descriptions and SDLC textbooks consistently describe the analyst as a liaison between users and developers, responsible for requirements quality and solution fitness.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• ‘‘analyze and design system software’’: misleading; analysts focus on information systems and applications, not OS-level system software.
• ‘‘heavily involved with the SDLC’’: true, but the question asks for the most accurate single statement—being an intermediary succinctly captures the essence of the role.
• ‘‘both (a) and (c)’’: incorrect because (a) is not generally true for analysts.
• ‘‘None of the above’’: denied by the accurate intermediary description.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing ‘‘system analyst’’ with ‘‘systems programmer’’; assuming analysts write most of the code instead of specifying what must be built.

Final Answer:
they may be looked upon as an intermediary between users and programmers