Difference Between System Approach and System Analysis

System approach and system analysis are two terms frequently used when discussing the system development life cycle. A system is an organized whole unit to accomplish certain task or tasks. A system consists of input, output, processing, feedback and control. A system can consist of many subsystems or components. A system has many properties such as connectivity, cooperation, coordination, control etc. There should be a connection between subparts of the system. There should be cooperation and coordination between the subparts of the system. When developing software, there is a certain process followed by the organization. It is called System Development Life Cycle (SDLC). It helps to design, develop and test high quality software. System approach and system analysis are two terms related to SDLC. Major phases of SDLC are feasibility studying, system analysis, system design, development, testing, maintenance. Therefore, system analysis is a phase of SDLC. It specifies what the system can do. System Approach is a systematic process of solving a problem. The key difference between System approach and system analysis is that System approach is a problem-solving methodology that can be applied into System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) while system analysis is a phase of System Development Life Cycle.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is System Approach
3. What is System Analysis
4. Similarities Between System Approach and System Analysis
5. Side by Side Comparison – System Approach vs System Analysis in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is System Approach?

A system denotes various components and characteristics. Each system has certain objectives to achieve. The system contains input, output and processing devices to accomplish a certain task or tasks. Generally, a system is built with certain regulations and policies. First, the problem is defined using the system orientation. Then a feasible solution should be found to solve the problem. A system has a specific boundary. One major characteristic of a system is that it can be divided into subsystems.

When using an established problem-solving methodology to solve the problem, it is known as scientific method.  This method contains several steps. First, it is important to identify the real-world phenomena. Then, should formulate a hypothesis about the causes and effects of the phenomena. Then, should test the hypothesis using experimentation. After evaluating the results of the experiments, it is easy to come to a conclusion about the hypothesis. Generally, the system approach is a systematic process of problem-solving.

There is a number of activities to solve a problem and to find a solution to it. First, should identify what the problem is, using system thinking. System thinking is to find systems, subsystems and components of the systems in any situation under consideration.  Then, the alternative solutions can be evaluated and developed. Out of all, should select the best solutions to solve the problem. Finally, the selected solution is designed and implemented. The implementation plan contains the resources, activities and timing needed to complete the implementation.

What is System Analysis?

Applying the system approach to an information system is known as System Development Lifecycle (SDLC). The major steps of SDLC are planning, system analysis, systems design, development, system testing and maintenance.  In planning, the scope of the problem is identified. Resources, cost, time etc. are considered at this phase.

Next step is system analysis. It is an in-depth study of the functional requirements necessary for the end user. System analysis is to study the system and to identify the objectives. It is a process of collecting and interpreting facts, identifying the problem and decomposition of a system into its components. System analysis helps to ensure that all components work  to accomplish the task. The outputs of system analysis are the inputs to the system designing.

In system designing, it to produce a system specification. The input to the system designing is the functional requirements of the system analysis phase. System design involves process design, data design and user interface design. Process design is the design process that focuses on developing the computer programs necessary for the proposed system. The data designing involved modelling the ER diagrams of the system. The user interface design focus on the interaction of the end user and the system. It contains the display screens to operate the system. The testing phase is to validate and verify whether the outcomes of the proposed system meet the required goals. In the maintenance phase, the new features can be added to improve the system.

What is the Similarity Between System Approach and System Analysis?

• Both System Approach and System Analysis are related to System Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

What is the Difference Between System Approach and System Analysis?

Summary- System Approach vs System Analysis 

A system consists of input, output, processing, feedback and control. A system can consist of many subsystems or components. When developing software, there is a certain process followed by the organization. It is called System Development Life Cycle (SDLC). System approach and system analysis are two terms related to SDLC. This article discussed the difference between system approach and system analysis. The difference between System approach and system analysis is that System approach is a problem-solving methodology that can be applied into System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) while system analysis is a phase of System Development Life Cycle.

Reference:

1.“Innovative Architects.” SDLC: Seven Phases of the System Development Life Cycle. Available here
2.Point, Tutorials. “System Analysis and Design Overview.” Tutorials Point, 8 Jan. 2018. Available here   
3.Point, Tutorials. “System Analysis and Design Overview.”  Tutorials Point, 8 Jan. 2018. Available here  
4.Systems Approach Problem Solving, Vidya-Mitra, 1 Sept. 2017. Available here