Nearly all organizations rely on computer and information technology (IT) to conduct business and operate effi ciently. Computer systems analysts use IT tools to help enterprises of all sizes achieve their goals. They may design and develop new computer systems by choosing and confi guring hardware and software, or they may devise ways to apply existing systems’ resources to additional tasks. Most systems analysts work with specifi c types of computer systems such as business, accounting, and fi nancial systems or scientifi c and engineering systems. Analysts _______ specialize in helping an organization select the proper system hardware and software are often called system architects or system designers. If analysts specialize in developing and fi ne-tuning systems, they are often given the more general title of systems analysts.

To begin an assignment, systems analysts consult with an organization’s managers and users to defi ne the goals of the system and then design a system to meet those goals. They specify the inputs that the system will access, decide how the inputs will be processed, and format the output to meet users’ needs. Analysts use techniques such as structured analysis, data modeling, information engineering, mathematical model building, sampling, and a variety of accounting principles to ensure their plans are effi cient and complete. They also may prepare cost-benefi t and return-oninvestment analyses to help management decide whether implementing the proposed technology would be fi nancially feasible.

In some organizations, programmer-analysts design and update the software that runs a computer. They also create custom applications tailored to their organization’s tasks. Because they are responsible for both programming and systems analysis, these workers must be profi cient in both areas.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos287.htm. Acesso em 27/02/2011