Programmer Analyst or Systems Analyst?

[jread]

I have an opportunity to move to a higher position at work and am facing a dilemma. Right now I do a little of both of these jobs, though I'm more focused on programming (which I really love doing). One of these jobs is more programming-oriented while the other is more process-oriented. The systems analyst job actually pays more, though there is not going to be much programming involved (if any). At the same time, the duties involved are still interesting to me (I love programming but I also love process-improvement). I guess I'd like to get some opinions from you guys who may have been in one or either of these roles. I worry that the Systems Analyst may be a little more "people skills" than I'd like. Then again, it is more of a "big picture" type job and the higher pay would be great. I have listed the qualifications/duties paragraphs from the job postings. If you don't know anything about GIS, just try to ignore all the buzzwords and take out the relevant info. Thanks

(P.S. I'm trying to develop a "pros and cons" list for each position and pick the one that comes out on top. Also, I have a B.A. in Public Administration and am starting an M.S. in Software Engineering in the Fall)


Programmer Analyst:

Experience with GIS application and database design, programming, and support using ESRI products (ArcIMS, ArcSDE, ArcGIS, ArcObjects). Web application server, database server configuration and system administration in an enterprise environment. Project management and/or team leadership experience with strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Experience with systems integration. Experience with Oracle 9i and above, .NET, ASP, JSP, VB/VBA, C#.

Summary: This position provides systems analysis, process analysis, application and database programming and support for the Geographic Information System (GIS) and requires knowledge and experience with GIS software, programming, data structures, and system administration. The primary responsibilities of this position are to manage the group's GIS applications, analyze business systems, processes, and user needs and work with GIS staff, programmers, and technical staff to design and implement solutions to meet business requirements. Other duties include technical documentation of systems and processes, training users of GIS applications, GIS analysis projects, and data processing activities.



Systems Analyst:

Experience designing and implementing GIS data development, maintenance, and quality control processes in a production multi-user editing environment using ESRI products (ArcGIS, ArcSDE). Project management and/or team leadership experience with strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Experience with systems integration. Experience with Oracle8i and above.

This position provides business systems process analysis and design for the Geographic Information System (GIS). Requires knowledge and experience with GIS software, data structures, and spatial analysis techniques. Will provide leadership in development of GIS production processes, applications, databases, products, services and spatial analysis projects. Responsible for project management, customer interaction to develop requirements, technical documentation, user training, and hardware and software support.

 

[pravi333]

my belief is system analyst will give you much management exposure than programmer analyst.

 

[Patt]

Myself, I'd prefer the Systems Analyst title ... you're right though that it will likely lead to less programming. However, you'll get more project management experience too.

edit: did you take particular training for all the GIS stuff, or was it on-the-job. I'm interested in heading in that direction, but I haven't had too much exposure yet. For what it is worth, I'm a Programmer Analyst with loads of Oracle experience, Java, VB etc.

 

[slsmnaz]

Our systems analysts are worth every penny they are paid (and much more valuable). I work with both quite a bit and, from my perspective, the SA role would be more rewarding.

 

[jread]

Thank you very much for the replies so far.

Originally posted by: Patt
edit: did you take particular training for all the GIS stuff, or was it on-the-job. I'm interested in heading in that direction, but I haven't had too much exposure yet. For what it is worth, I'm a Programmer Analyst with loads of Oracle experience, Java, VB etc.

I learned GIS on the job. To be honest, it's more of a software package than an actual field. It is very easy for someone with a technical aptitude to pickup GIS extremely fast as it's really more IT-related than geography-related these days. Once you learn the data structures of the GIS layers and the object model, you can write some really cool programs that do lots of neat stuff. FYI, all my experience is with the ESRI line of products (which is basically the Microsoft of GIS).

 

[Descartes]

I've held both roles for years, and after that I went into consulting where I performed both simultaneously. You sound like you're looking for very much the same. "Programmers" are best when they can operate in an analytical capacity, liaise with the business, etc.

Personally, I would stick with development and find a way to increase your business interaction. As you know, technical skills are hard to obtain, take years to cultivate and mature and atrophy without use. A dedicated SA role is usually limited to larger companies, and as such you'll reduce your ability to pursue roles that give you a greater sense of freedom. This might include consulting roles, or it might include small product teams at smaller companies.

Also, the role of an SA can be exceptionally boring. It doesn't necessarily mean you'll have any process involvement at all. You might just be sitting in design sessions and taking down notes most of your day. You'd probably spend the rest of your time creating documentation from those sessions. This can be extremely banal. Project management usually doesn't interact with SAs at a process level.

<summary>
Current technical skills + proficiency in soft skills >>>> SA
</summary>

imo.

 

[NuroMancer]

Originally posted by: pravi333
my belief is system analyst will give you much management exposure than programmer analyst.

and thus a better promotion path, also, I think SA's have a more rewarding experience for the most part.

 

[jread]

Originally posted by: Descartes
I've held both roles for years, and after that I went into consulting where I performed both simultaneously. You sound like you're looking for very much the same. "Programmers" are best when they can operate in an analytical capacity, liaise with the business, etc.

Personally, I would stick with development and find a way to increase your business interaction. As you know, technical skills are hard to obtain, take years to cultivate and mature and atrophy without use. A dedicated SA role is usually limited to larger companies, and as such you'll reduce your ability to pursue roles that give you a greater sense of freedom. This might include consulting roles, or it might include small product teams at smaller companies.

Also, the role of an SA can be exceptionally boring. It doesn't necessarily mean you'll have any process involvement at all. You might just be sitting in design sessions and taking down notes most of your day. You'd probably spend the rest of your time creating documentation from those sessions. This can be extremely banal. Project management usually doesn't interact with SAs at a process level.

<summary>
Current technical skills + proficiency in soft skills >>>> SA
</summary>

imo.

Thank you for the information. I do know that this particular role will play a large part in systems integration and will be the "go between" for the production folks and the programmers. It seems that it may offer more future growth than the programmer position because our production needs keep getting larger, while the demands on our programmers keep getting smaller. I love programming but part of me is afraid that there might be less of a demand for that role down the road (we are doing less in-house development than before).

 

[torpid]

If you believe that the people you work with will be quite competent, I'd say SA.

 

[fisheerman]

jread is there a possiblity of you holding both job duties?

i worked at one of the large consulting firms for about 8 years as Senior systmes analyst and suprisingly I did a lot of programming.

If not it is going to come down to career path choice. If you are going to be a corporate cog and want to advance to executive levels then the Systems Analyst job is going to give you more exposure to management.

The Programmer Analyst job is going to be a more technical route and provide you with the hardcore tech skills

Both are very rewarding and the GIS field is booming.


ps learn as much about ArcGIS server, SDE and .NET web development.
da money will flow....................

Good luck

fish