Is there anyone on here who does this or knows about it? I chatted with a systems analyst (actually, "Business Systems Analyst") at work the other day and his job sounds really neat: know a little about everything related to IT, keep up to date on the latest and greatest technology, figure out the best way to meet business objectives, come up with ideas on how to solve a problem and then make the programmers and network guys actually do the grunt work, etc. The only thing that sounded kinda iffy to me is that the systems analysts have a lot of interaction with management. They're the "translators" between the managers and the programmers... they understand business as well as technology. I don't know, sounds very cool for the most part.... come up with ideas, make someone else implement them, read about new technology, jack of all trades and master of none (not married to any one specific technology), figure out the best way to streamline processes and increase productivity, etc. Oh yeah, and they make an ass-load of money... at least where I work they do.
Any Systems Analysts on here?
- Thread starter jread
- Start date
I am a Systems Analyst, and what you described seem pretty accurate to what I do (well except for making ass-load of money)...
You sound like a marketing ad for MIS/CIS majors. Yeah systems analysts so those types of things, but depending on the size of the compnay, YOU will be the one who does everything from looking at business requirements to implementing and supporting new technologies and such. And unless you get into a larger firm you will not get an ass-load of money. And also remember this, becasue you are a jack of all trades, unless the position literally states that they need a person with higher-level interfacing skills, you will be useless to a lot of positions that do require a specific skillset.
Well, it's an ass-load of money to me considering that I'm in Geographic Information Systems... the worst-paying tech. field ever. Our systems analysts have the same payscale as the network admins, programmers and database admins. It's also the only job I've seen in IT where a master's degree actually counts for something... the others are more specific and rely mainly on experience and certifications. The downside to specializing in a specific technology, from what I've seen, is that it's easier to lose your job if the business focus changes. As far as the size of the org. we have about 18,000 employees in the same city.
SAs are usually just the entry level grunts in big companies. The difference between them and programmers is generally that they aren't as good at programming but can climb the ladder, unlike programmers who if the company had its way would stay chained in the basement cranking out code 24 hours a day with no food, sleep, and certainly no overtime pay.
Usually they are expected to do some supreme brown nosing too.
Usually they are expected to do some supreme brown nosing too.
Same job description, just different title. Project Analyst, but not entry level. I enjoy working for a local government entity because I get a broader amount of technologies than just regular IT stuff.
State or municipal job titles tend to be what they say they are, so a systems analyst would actually be a systems analyst, unlike in corporations.
My title is Business Systems Analyst. It's really a generic title for "guy who does everything", at least in my case.
But no degree, no education. Nada. And i pull $60k.
EDIT: Should have listed my duties:
Subject Matter Expert for 4 business critical applications on the Hell Desk
Train HD Analysts whenever necessary
Play Supervisor when necesary
Answer calls when the HD phones get busy
Develop project plans for minor things around the HD (We have a Project Manager for big stuff)
But no degree, no education. Nada. And i pull $60k.
EDIT: Should have listed my duties:
Subject Matter Expert for 4 business critical applications on the Hell Desk
Train HD Analysts whenever necessary
Play Supervisor when necesary
Answer calls when the HD phones get busy
Develop project plans for minor things around the HD (We have a Project Manager for big stuff)
NuclearNed
Raconteur
- May 18, 2001
- 7,882
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My official title is Business Systems Analyst, and you more or less summed up my job description.
I was just promoted to this position a few weeks ago after 10 years of being a software engineer. Its much too early to tell if I'm going to really like it, but so far the signs are promising.
And the money is really good - much better than what I was making as a programmer.
I was just promoted to this position a few weeks ago after 10 years of being a software engineer. Its much too early to tell if I'm going to really like it, but so far the signs are promising.
And the money is really good - much better than what I was making as a programmer.
That's it, I'm doing this. I have struggled forever to figure out where I would fit into the IT world and have had a tough time making a decision. The fact is that I like ALL of it. It seems like Systems Analysis is the way to go for people like myself. I have no interest in becoming a master in any certain technology, but rather gaining a decent level of compentency in every area.
This is the Master's degree I plan on going for and it looks like perfect preparation for a Business Systems Analyst: http://www.stedwards.edu/business/graduate/mscis/curriculum.htm
Thanks for all of the input so far. This place has really helped me find my future direction.
I thought all systems analysts are guru oracle database guys who can take raw data and make sense out of it all...and program reports to show such data?
job descriptions and wages from salary.com
Business Systems Analyst I
Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates business systems and user needs. Formulates systems to parallel overall business strategies. May require an associate's degree in a related area and 0-2 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. Works under immediate supervision. Primary job functions do not typically require exercising independent judgment. Typically reports to a manager.
$40,192 $44,720 $49,968
Business Systems Analyst II
Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates business systems and user needs. Formulates systems to parallel overall business strategies. Writes detailed description of user needs, program functions, and steps required to develop or modify computer programs. May require an associate's degree in a related area and 2-4 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Familiar with relational database concepts, and client-server concepts. Relies on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Works under general supervision; typically reports to a project leader or manager. A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required.
$52,064 $58,766 $66,474
Business Systems Analyst III
Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates business systems and user needs. Formulates systems to parallel overall business strategies. Writes detailed description of user needs, program functions, and steps required to develop or modify computer programs. May require a bachelor's degree in a related area and 4-6 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Familiar with relational database concepts, and client-server concepts. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of complicated tasks. May lead and direct the work of others. May report directly to a project lead or manager. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected.
$59,885 $68,051 $77,359
Business Systems Analyst IV
Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates business systems and user needs. Formulates systems to parallel overall business strategies. Writes detailed description of user needs, program functions, and steps required to develop or modify computer programs. Requires a bachelor's degree in area of specialty and 6-8 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Leads and directs the work of others. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department.
$75,294 $84,373 $94,733
GIS Analyst IV
Utilizes Geographic Information System techniques to provide a better understanding of certain variables in a given geographic location. Extracts data from GIS software and uses varying analysis methods to arrive at results. Recommends appropriate reactionary strategies in response to GIS analysis. Provides maps and data sets to clients to supplement analysis. Knowledgeable of GIS software and technology. Works in conjunction with CADD drafters and technicians. Requires a bachelor's degree in area of specialty, 7-10 years of experience in the field or in a related area, and may require additional certification. Familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. May lead and direct the work of others. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department.
$54,859 $60,157 $65,924
job descriptions and wages from salary.com
Business Systems Analyst I
Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates business systems and user needs. Formulates systems to parallel overall business strategies. May require an associate's degree in a related area and 0-2 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. Works under immediate supervision. Primary job functions do not typically require exercising independent judgment. Typically reports to a manager.
$40,192 $44,720 $49,968
Business Systems Analyst II
Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates business systems and user needs. Formulates systems to parallel overall business strategies. Writes detailed description of user needs, program functions, and steps required to develop or modify computer programs. May require an associate's degree in a related area and 2-4 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Familiar with relational database concepts, and client-server concepts. Relies on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Works under general supervision; typically reports to a project leader or manager. A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required.
$52,064 $58,766 $66,474
Business Systems Analyst III
Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates business systems and user needs. Formulates systems to parallel overall business strategies. Writes detailed description of user needs, program functions, and steps required to develop or modify computer programs. May require a bachelor's degree in a related area and 4-6 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Familiar with relational database concepts, and client-server concepts. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of complicated tasks. May lead and direct the work of others. May report directly to a project lead or manager. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected.
$59,885 $68,051 $77,359
Business Systems Analyst IV
Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates business systems and user needs. Formulates systems to parallel overall business strategies. Writes detailed description of user needs, program functions, and steps required to develop or modify computer programs. Requires a bachelor's degree in area of specialty and 6-8 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Leads and directs the work of others. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department.
$75,294 $84,373 $94,733
GIS Analyst IV
Utilizes Geographic Information System techniques to provide a better understanding of certain variables in a given geographic location. Extracts data from GIS software and uses varying analysis methods to arrive at results. Recommends appropriate reactionary strategies in response to GIS analysis. Provides maps and data sets to clients to supplement analysis. Knowledgeable of GIS software and technology. Works in conjunction with CADD drafters and technicians. Requires a bachelor's degree in area of specialty, 7-10 years of experience in the field or in a related area, and may require additional certification. Familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. May lead and direct the work of others. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department.
$54,859 $60,157 $65,924
That's a load of crap! That's what our Senior Analysts do and they barely even make $40k per year.
rstrohkirch
Platinum Member
- May 31, 2005
- 2,434
- 367
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I'm sometimes referred to as a System Analyst but I'm really just a glorified windows administrator. Shrug... I hate titles.
Possibly. I work for local government in Texas, which isn't as high-paying as many other states, so that may explain the average being off. Still, that seems really high for any GIS profession other than management.
Still, systems analysis is more interesting to me overall considering the wide variety of technology that you get to work with.
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