Introduction

This book is about the analysis of business systems—not about computers. In many cases, of course, this highly valuable tool will be the means selected to implement the solution to a business problem. Indeed, the growth of systems analysis is closely related to the growth in the use of computers. Nevertheless, the principles of systems analysis are independent of the mechanisms used to apply them. How, then, does systems analysis differ from the longer established organisation and methods (O & M) approach? Or for that matter from any other problem-solving discipline? Cannot the approach of a mathematician be used? Or a psychologist? Or an economist? The answer to these questions is that systems analysis is in fact an extension of traditional problem-solving disciplines which have already been used in the business area. However, the very fact that systems analysis uses the approaches of the mathematician, the psychologist, the economist and the O & M man gives rise to the need for the separate discipline of systems analysis. There is clearly a need to combine those elements of the different approaches which are best suited to the solution of problems in the business environment, oriented, though not exclusively, to the use of computers.