Analyze science, engineering, business, and all other data processing problems for application to electronic data processing systems. Analyze user requirements, procedures, and problems to automate or improve existing systems and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and scheduling limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software. May supervise computer programmers.

Other names for Computer Systems Analysts: Applications Systems Analyst, Automatic Data Processing Planner, Business Analyst, Business Continuity Analyst, Business Systems Analyst, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Clinical Analyst, Computer Analyst, Computer Analyst Supervisor, Computer Architect, Computer Consultant, Computer Methods Analyst, Computer or Data Processing Systems Consultant, Computer Specialist, Computer Systems Analyst, Computer Systems Consultant, Computer Systems Design Analyst, Computer Systems Designer, Cross-Enterprise Integrator, Data Processing Consultant, Data Processing Systems Analyst, Data Processing Systems Project Planner, Database Analyst, Database Design Analyst, Digital Computer Systems Analyst, E-Business Specialist, Engineering Systems Analyst, Enterprise Architect, Functional Analyst, Health Systems Analyst, Information Scientist, Information Systems Analyst, Information Systems Architect, Information Systems Auditor, Information Systems Consultant, Information Systems Planner, Information Systems Specialist, Information Technology Analyst (IT Analyst), Information Technology Consultant (IT Consultant), Information Technology Specialist, Internet E-Commerce Specialist, Network Administrator, Program Manager, Programmer, Programmer Analyst, Programming Specialist, Quality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst), Quality Assurance Manager (QA Manager), Quality Controller, Reporting Analyst, Scientific Systems Analyst, Software Analyst, Software Architect, Software Consultant, Software Engineer, Software Quality Engineer, Systems Analysis Information Technology Specialist, Systems Analyst, Systems Architect, Systems Developer, Systems Engineer, Systems Integrator, Systems Manager, Systems Programmer, Technical Analyst, Usability Engineer,

• Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems.
• Test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the installation of computer programs and systems.
• Use object-oriented programming languages, as well as client and server applications development processes and multimedia and Internet technology.
• Confer with clients regarding the nature of the information processing or computation needs a computer program is to address.
• Coordinate and link the computer systems within an organization to increase compatibility and so information can be shared.
• Consult with management to ensure agreement on system principles.
• Expand or modify system to serve new purposes or improve work flow.
• Interview or survey workers, observe job performance or perform the job to determine what information is processed and how it is processed.
• Determine computer software or hardware needed to set up or alter system.
• Train staff and users to work with computer systems and programs.
• Analyze information processing or computation needs and plan and design computer systems, using techniques such as structured analysis, data modeling and information engineering.
• Assess the usefulness of pre-developed application packages and adapt them to a user environment.
• Define the goals of the system and devise flow charts and diagrams describing logical operational steps of programs.
• Develop, document and revise system design procedures, test procedures, and quality standards.
• Review and analyze computer printouts and performance indicators to locate code problems, and correct errors by correcting codes.
• Recommend new equipment or software packages.
• Read manuals, periodicals, and technical reports to learn how to develop programs that meet staff and user requirements.
• Supervise computer programmers or other systems analysts or serve as project leaders for particular systems projects.
• Utilize the computer in the analysis and solution of business problems such as development of integrated production and inventory control and cost analysis systems.
• Prepare cost-benefit and return-on-investment analyses to aid in decisions on system implementation.
• Specify inputs accessed by the system and plan the distribution and use of the results.

• Desktop computers
• Mainframe computers
• Notebook computers
• Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers

Helpdesk or call center software

Project management software

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Financial analysis software

Pattern design software

Graphics or photo imaging software

Word processing software

Charting software

Presentation software

Spreadsheet software

File versioning software

Data base management system software

Data base user interface and query software

Metadata management software

Object oriented data base management software

Transaction server software

Configuration management software

Development environment software

Enterprise application integration software

Object or component oriented development software

Program testing software

Requirements analysis and system architecture software

Web platform development software

Compiler and decompiler software

Computer aided design CAD software

Analytical or scientific software

Application server software

Desktop communications software

Internet directory services software

Administration software

Access software

Operating system software

Transaction security and virus protection software

Data conversion software

Backup or archival software