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DESCRIPTION
Modern Systems Analysis and Design, Eighth Edition, covers the concepts, skills, meth-
odologies, techniques, tools, and perspectives essential for systems analysts to suc-
cessfully develop information systems. The primary target audience is upper-division
undergraduates in a management information systems (MIS) or computer informa-
tion systems curriculum; a secondary target audience is MIS majors in MBA and MS
programs. Although not explicitly written for the junior college and professional
development markets, this book can also be used by these programs.
We have over 55 years of combined teaching experience in systems analysis and
design and have used that experience to create this newest edition of Modern Systems
Analysis and Design. We provide a clear presentation of the concepts, skills, and tech-
niques that students need to become effective systems analysts who work with others
to create information systems for businesses. We use the systems development life
cycle (SDLC) model as an organizing tool throughout the book to provide students
with a strong conceptual and systematic framework. The SDLC in this edition has five
phases and a circular design.
With this text, we assume that students have taken an introductory course on
computer systems and have experience designing programs in at least one program-
ming language. We review basic system principles for those students who have not
been exposed to the material on which systems development methods are based. We
also assume that students have a solid background in computing literacy and a gener-
al understanding of the core elements of a business, including basic terms associated
with the production, marketing, finance, and accounting functions.
NEW TO THE EIGHTH EDITION
The following features are new to the Eighth Edition:
New material. To keep up with the changing environment for systems develop-
ment, Chapter 12 has undergone a complete and thorough revision. While
cloud computing is introduced in Chapter 2, it is given extensive coverage in
the revised Chapter 12. Service-oriented architecture has been reintroduced
to the book in the version of Chapter 12. Other new material includes expan-
sions of two of the appendices to Chapter 7. The appendices on activity dia-
grams and on Business Process Management Notation now include additional
text and figures. Throughout the book figures, tables, and related content
have been updated and refreshed.
Updated content. Throughout the book, the content in each chapter has been
updated where appropriate. We have expanded our coverage of multiple top-
ics in Chapter 2. Examples of updates in other chapters include revising the
information on the information services (IS)/information technology job
market in Chapter 1. Another example is Chapter 13, where we have updated
and extended the section on information systems security. All screenshots
come from current versions of leading software products. We have also made
a special effort to update our reference lists, purging out-of-date material and
including current references.
Preface