Structured Systems Analysis and Design (SAAD)

Course Description

Structured Systems Analysis and Design introduces students to the disciplined methods used to plan, analyze, design, and implement information systems in modern organizations. The course focuses on understanding how people, data, processes, and technology work together to support operations, management, and decision-making. Students learn how to study business problems, identify opportunities for improvement, and translate organizational needs into clear system requirements.

The course is built around the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), covering planning, analysis, design, and implementation phases. Key topics include stakeholder analysis, the role and ethics of the systems analyst, data collection techniques, requirements engineering, process modeling with Data Flow Diagrams, data modeling with Entity Relationship Diagrams, user interface design, database and file design, control and security, and system implementation and maintenance. Students also explore project planning and management concepts relevant to information systems development.

Through guided lessons, case studies, modeling exercises, quizzes, and a comprehensive final project, learners gain both theoretical understanding and practical skills. By the end of the course, students will be able to apply structured analysis and design methods to develop information systems that are efficient, secure, user-centered, and aligned with organizational goals.

Course Objectives

The course aims to:

1. Equip students with a clear understanding of the nature of systems and information systems in organizations.

2. Develop students’ ability to analyze business problems and identify system improvement opportunities.

3. Enable learners to apply structured methods in systems analysis and design.

4. Strengthen competence in requirements engineering and modeling techniques.

5. Prepare students to design secure, user-centered, and efficient information systems.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Explain the components and activities of an information system.

2. Apply the Systems Development Life Cycle in real-world problem solving.

3. Identify stakeholders and define business, user, functional, and non-functional requirements.

4. Collect and analyze data using interviews, questionnaires, observation, and document analysis.

5. Develop process and data models using DFDs and ERDs.

6. Design user interfaces, databases, and control mechanisms for information systems.

7. Propose implementation, changeover, and maintenance strategies.

8. Plan and manage a systems development project.