In systems analysis, who works with managers to elicit and define organizational information needs?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: System analyst

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Determining information needs is a core activity in systems analysis. The role responsible for bridging business leadership and technical teams is the system analyst, who translates goals and pain points into clear, testable requirements.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Managers understand business objectives and constraints.
  • Technical staff need structured, unambiguous requirements.
  • The organization is planning to improve or replace an information system.


Concept / Approach:
The system analyst facilitates interviews, workshops, observation, and document analysis to elicit needs. The analyst models processes and data, prioritizes features, and validates requirements with stakeholders to ensure alignment with strategy and controls.


Step-by-Step Solution:

1) Engage managers and users to capture objectives and KPIs. 2) Elicit functional and nonfunctional requirements using structured techniques. 3) Model current state processes and proposed future state using diagrams. 4) Validate assumptions and resolve conflicts among stakeholders. 5) Produce a clear requirements specification for designers and developers.


Verification / Alternative check:
Check whether the role explicitly focuses on requirements and stakeholder alignment rather than code or executive governance. That points to the system analyst.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Executive vice president sets enterprise direction, not detailed requirements. Vice president of information systems governs IT portfolio and policy, not day to day elicitation. Programmer implements specifications and typically does not lead managerial interviews. Operations supervisor focuses on service delivery, not enterprise wide analysis.


Common Pitfalls:
Confusing titles with responsibilities and assuming coders always gather requirements are common mistakes.


Final Answer:
System analyst.

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