Junior Systems Analyst

Objective: Analyze and document user requirements for a hypothetical application or system. This task emphasizes the foundational skill of gathering accurate and comprehensive requirements. You will simulate real-world interactions by assuming the role of a Junior Systems Analyst tasked with understanding client and user needs.

Task Details: You are required to develop a detailed Requirements Document for a proposed information system. To start, imagine a scenario where a mid-sized company wants to upgrade its internal communication platform. Identify key stakeholders, define user personas, and outline the problem areas that require a technology solution. Your document should include sections such as Introduction, Objectives, Stakeholder Analysis, Functional Requirements, Non-functional Requirements, and Use Cases.

Key Steps:

• Conduct a simulated stakeholder analysis by defining roles and expected needs.
• Draft detailed functional and non-functional requirements.
• Create at least three use case scenarios that highlight how the system will be used.
• Ensure the document is well-organized and professionally formatted.

Deliverable: Submit your final deliverable as a PDF or DOC file containing the requirements document.

Evaluation Criteria: Submissions will be evaluated on clarity, comprehensiveness of requirements, logical structuring, presentation quality, and adherence to the task details. Your work should demonstrate a deep understanding of requirement gathering and should reflect the typical responsibilities of a Junior Systems Analyst.

Objective: Develop a comprehensive system design proposal that outlines the technical approach to address the requirements captured in Week 1. This exercise primes you in the practice of designing and planning a system that is both innovative and practical.

Task Details: For this task, assume that the specified requirements for an internal communication system have been approved. Your task is to design a system solution that meets these requirements. You need to detail the proposed architecture, include data flow diagrams, system components, and integration points.

Key Steps:

• Create an architectural diagram that outlines the system's major components (e.g., web server, database server, client interfaces).
• Develop detailed data flow diagrams (DFDs) and system interaction diagrams.
• Explain the rationale behind your design choices, including the selection of technologies and tools.
• Discuss the scalability and security considerations of your proposed solution.

Deliverable: Submit a single document in PDF or DOC format that contains your design proposal with diagrams and detailed explanations. Ensure your diagrams are clear and annotated.

Evaluation Criteria: Your submission will be evaluated on the innovativeness and feasibility of your design, clarity of diagrams, detailed justification for choices, and overall adherence to system analysis principles. The final deliverable should reflect a deep problem-solving approach to system design.

Objective: Create a detailed test plan and set of test cases to ensure the system you designed can be verified against its requirements. This task is aimed at developing your analytical skills in system testing and quality assurance.

Task Details: Assume that the system has been developed to a testable stage. Your task involves preparing a comprehensive test plan that outlines the scope, approach, resources, and schedule for testing activities. Additionally, write at least 10 detailed test cases covering functional, performance, and security aspects of the system. Your plan should include a clear description of the testing environment, test data requirements, and the expected outcomes.

Key Steps:

• Draft a test plan specifying the objectives, methodology, and timeline for executing various tests.
• Develop test cases for both functional and non-functional requirements. Ensure they are detailed enough for execution without further instructions.
• Include steps for pre-testing preparation, execution, and post-testing review.
• Discuss how you would handle potential issues or bugs discovered during testing.

Deliverable: Submit a document in PDF or DOC format containing the complete test plan along with the list of test cases. Make sure all test cases are numbered and described in a step-by-step manner.

Evaluation Criteria: The submissions will be evaluated based on the thoroughness of the test plan, the relevance and clarity of the test cases, as well as the overall quality of documentation. Your work should clearly show your understanding of testing methodologies and quality assurance practices in systems analysis.

Objective: Develop a detailed user manual that explains how to navigate and operate the system designed in Week 2. This exercise will help you bridge the gap between technical design and end-user communication, an essential skill for a Junior Systems Analyst.

Task Details: For this task, imagine that the system has been developed and is now in the phase where it will be deployed to end users. Your role is to produce a comprehensive user manual that covers installation procedures, system navigation, error resolution, and frequently asked questions. The manual should be written in plain language to help non-technical users understand the system thoroughly.

Key Steps:

• Outline the structure of your user manual starting with a table of contents.
• Include sections on system requirements, installation, configuration, basic operations, troubleshooting tips, and support contact information.
• Incorporate screenshots or mock-ups to visually guide the reader through key processes (conceptual representations are acceptable if you do not have actual screenshots).
• Provide clear, step-by-step instructions for common tasks and troubleshooting scenarios.

Deliverable: Submit your final user manual in a PDF or DOC format. Ensure that the manual is well-formatted, visually engaging, and easy to navigate.

Evaluation Criteria: Your manual will be reviewed for its clarity, structure, completeness, and usability. Quality of visual aids, logical flow of information, and the ability to translate technical details into user-friendly language will be key factors in the evaluation.

Objective: Conduct a comprehensive performance analysis of the system and propose an optimization strategy. This task is designed to help you develop the analytical skills needed to measure system performance and make informed recommendations for improvement.

Task Details: In this task, you are provided with a scenario where the current system is experiencing performance bottlenecks. Your assignment is to identify potential performance issues by simulating data analysis and assessment through logical reasoning. You will need to propose an optimization strategy that addresses key performance metrics such as response time, throughput, and resource utilization.

Key Steps:

• Detail the performance metrics you will consider critical in assessing the system.
• Outline the methodology you would use to simulate performance analysis (e.g., benchmarking, theoretical modeling based on known system parameters, and user load simulations).
• Identify potential bottlenecks and propose targeted solutions to optimize system performance.
• Discuss trade-offs associated with your proposed optimizations including cost, complexity, and potential risks.

Deliverable: Prepare a comprehensive report in PDF or DOC format that includes your performance analysis, proposed optimization methodology, and detailed recommendations. Ensure that your report is supported by diagrams or tables where applicable.

Evaluation Criteria: The report will be reviewed based on the depth of analysis, clarity of your optimization strategy, and the logical presentation of your evaluation. Your work should reflect a strong understanding of performance metrics and optimization challenges in systems analysis.

Objective: Simulate a technical support scenario where you handle a series of troubleshooting issues for the system. The aim is to assess your ability to diagnose system problems, communicate solutions effectively, and document your troubleshooting process.

Task Details: For this final task, assume the role of a Junior Systems Analyst in a support team. You are faced with a series of hypothetical issues reported by end users. These issues might include system downtime, slow performance, or user interface glitches. Your task is to document a comprehensive troubleshooting report that outlines how you would diagnose and resolve these issues.

Key Steps:

• Create a list of common technical issues that might affect the system.
• For each issue, detail the steps taken to diagnose the problem including the tools and techniques used.
• Provide clear solutions or workarounds for each issue, explaining both the short-term fixes and long-term strategies to prevent recurrence.
• Include a section on communication protocols for informing users about the issue status and resolution timelines.

Deliverable: Submit a final troubleshooting report in PDF or DOC format that contains all the above details. The report should be comprehensive, well-organized, and easy to follow, showcasing your technical support and troubleshooting skills.

Evaluation Criteria: Evaluation will be based on the thoroughness of the troubleshooting process, clarity in documentation, effectiveness of the solutions proposed, and the overall presentation of the report. Your final submission should demonstrate critical problem-solving skills as expected from a Junior Systems Analyst in a technical support role.