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Systems analyst
Hours
37 to 40 per week
Starting salary
£20,000 + per year
If you're good at solving problems, and you've got knowledge of computer hardware, software and programming, this job could suit you.
As a systems analyst you would be employed by a company to examine their IT systems and processes, and recommend improvements.
In this job you will need to have excellent communication skills, for giving presentations and for explaining technical ideas in a way that non-experts can understand. You will also need to be a good negotiator and work well in a team.
To work as a systems analyst you normally need a BTEC HNC/HND or degree, plus industry experience. If you have a degree in a non-IT subject, you could do a postgraduate conversion course.
WorkDesc
The work
Your work could range from integrating the telephone and computer networks in a call centre, to re-structuring a bank’s customer account databases to make them more secure.
Your work would involve:
- identifying the client organisation’s needs
- drawing up plans for a modified or replacement IT system
- carrying out feasibility studies of proposals and making recommendations
- working closely with programmers and software developers to build the system
- overseeing installation and testing correcting problems ('bugs') before the final version is released
- providing staff training and instruction manuals for the new or upgraded system.
An important part of your job would be to make sure that your designs are flexible enough to adapt as the organisation or business grows (known as ‘future-proofing’).
You would use various computer assisted software engineering (CASE) tools and programming methods in your job.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would normally work 37 to 40 hours a week. You may have to work overtime, including weekends, in order to meet deadlines or solve technical problems.
You would be office-based, working either at your employer's premises or at your client's site. Overnight stays away from home may sometimes be necessary.
IncomeDesc
Income
- Salaries can range from around £20,000 and £45,000 a year, depending on experience
- Average salary is £40,000
- Senior analysts involved in project management can earn up to £60,000 a year.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
To work as a systems analyst you normally need a BTEC HNC/HND or degree, backed up with industry experience. Relevant subjects include:
- computer science/studies
- information management systems
- business information systems
- maths and operational research.
Alternatively, you could take the Information Technology Management for Business (ITMB) degree. The degree has been developed by e-skills and employers to meet specific industry skills shortages, for example in project management and business awareness. For more details, see the e-skills UK website.
If you have a non-IT related degree, you could take a postgraduate IT ‘conversion’ course, although companies may still ask for relevant work experience. Employers recommend that you look for a course which focuses on business skills as well as technical knowledge.
You would be expected to have a working knowledge of programming skills and analysis methods. Some of the most common are:
- SQL
- Visual Basic, C++ and Java
- Unified Modelling Language (UML)
- SAP business software applications.
See the websites for e-skills UK, British Computer Society (BCS), the Institute for the Management of Information Systems (IMIS) and the Institution of Analysts and Programmers (IAP) for more details about careers in this field.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
You would normally receive training from your employer in specific software and analysis tools.
You will be expected to keep your skills up to date throughout your career. You could do this by taking professional development courses with industry bodies, for example:
- e-skills UK Professional Programme, for IT professionals in the early years of their career
- British Computer Society Certificate, Diploma and Professional Graduate Diploma with options in systems design
- ISEB Diplomas in Business Analysis and Systems Development
- Institute for the Management of Information Systems training courses
- Institution of Analysts and Programmers (IAP) professional development courses.
The National Skills Academy for IT
The National Skills Academy for IT has been created by employers to promote excellence in IT learning and development.
Through the Skills Academy, you can:
- get the best access to high quality IT training and resources
- define and access new training to meet emerging needs
- gain professional recognition and accelerate career progression
The National Skills Academy for IT has over 1,000 online courses, including courses relating to systems analyst roles.
For more information about professional development options, see the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) website. This website has been developed by professional bodies and employers and allows you to identify your current skills and work out career development options.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To be systems analyst you should have:
- a broad knowledge of hardware, software and programming
- a creative approach to problem-solving
- the ability to gather and interpret information
- excellent communication and presentation skills
- the ability to explain technical ideas clearly
- good negotiating skills
- good teamworking skills
- the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
- project management skills
- an appreciation of wider business demands
- budgeting skills
- a willingness to keep up to date with developments in technology.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Institute for the Management of Information Systems 
5 Kingfisher House
New Mill Road
Orpington
Kent
BR5 3QG
Tel: 0700 002 3456
www.imis.org.uk
Institution of Analysts and Programmers
Charles House
36 Culmington Road
London
W13 9NH
Tel: 020 8567 2118
www.iap.org.uk
Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA)
www.sfia.org.uk
British Computer Society
Block D
North Star House
North Star Avenue
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN2 1FA
www.bcs.org.uk
e-skills UK
1 Castle Lane
London
SW1E 6DR
0207 963 8920
www.e-skills.com
BCS Professional Certification
http://certifications.bcs.org
National Skills Academy for IT
www.itskillsacademy.ac.uk
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You could find work as a systems analyst across a wide range of business and public sector organisations.
With experience, you could be promoted to senior analyst, or into project management or strategic business planning. Eventually, you could become a specialist analyst in a particular field like finance or retail.
Another option would be to set up your own business and work on a contract or consultancy basis.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in a new window):
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
LMIData
Related industry information
Industry summary
The IT industry includes people in IT companies, such as those offering IT services, technology‐orientated consulting, technology development, systems analysis, programming, systems testing and technology sales. It also includes IT professionals working in other sectors, such as people whose primary job role is IT orientated, which includes IT departments and IT support staff in companies. The IT industry together with Telecoms is represented by e‐skills UK Sector Skills Council.
A sector trend is the convergence of telecommunications, computing and networking and the move from hardware intensive to software intensive platforms. Embedded voice communications capability is already part of the internet, which also has to manage voice, data and video and location information.
The social, economic and market forces shaping UK IT skills are evolving as technology continues to progress from the back office to the board room. This is changing the market for IT skills, creating demand for both technology‐oriented business people and business‐oriented technologists – and blurring the lines between traditional business and IT disciplines.
Key facts:
- There is a total IT and Telecoms workforce of 1.5 million of which:
- 890,000 people are in IT and Telecoms products and services
- 600,000 IT and Telecoms professionals are working in organisations outside of the IT and Telecoms industries
- There are around 105,000 businesses in the UK offering IT and Telecoms products and services.
- IT‐intensive sectors represent 55% of the UK's total Gross Value Added.
- Less than 1% of those employed in IT and Telecoms occupations are under 18.
- 22% of companies who are trying to recruit IT and Telecoms professionals report difficulties in attracting applicants with the right skills.
- 58% of the workforce has a degree or higher education qualification.
- The IT industry is predicted to grow at a rate of 2.5% per year for the next ten years.
- There are 100,930 IT manufacturing and services establishments in the UK employing 600,000 people.
- The IT workforce accounts for 4% of the UK workforce.
Jobs in the IT industry include: Business analyst; Games developer; CAD/CAM Programmer/Trainer; IT trainer; Service technician; Software engineer/architect; Technology consultant; Web designer; Systems architect; Technical author.
National and regional data
Across the UK, there is an estimated IT and Telecoms workforce of 1.5 million who are predominately located in London and the South East. The IT workforce can be classified in IT manufacturing and IT services. The largest number of companies is located in:
- IT manufacturing
- South East
- London
- East of England
- IT services
- South East
- London
- East of England
Key regional facts:
- 39% of IT and Telecoms professionals are located in London and the South East
- the East of England has the third highest number of IT and Telecoms employees
- Northern Ireland, Wales and the North East combined comprise just 6% of the IT and Telecoms professionals
- 44% of all types of IT and Telecoms companies are located in London and the South East
- the highest median gross weekly earnings for IT and Telecoms staff are in London, the South East and the East of England, which are all above the UK median
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey (April‐June), 2009.]
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