A study was conducted to identify stage characteristics in terms of technology, applications, the role and responsibilities of the office automation organization, and planning and control strategies; and to describe the respective roles of data processing professionals, office automation analysts, and users in office automation systems development…

Discussion of the systems development life cycle (SDLC) that supports operational and managerial planning of automation projects covers challenges of library automation, evolution and scope of SDLC, lack of dissemination of SDLC literature within library and information science community, and corrective measures to meet library automation demands.…

Addresses problems encountered by self-taught "talented amateurs" doing microcomputer systems work for libraries: not maintaining design control, not maintaining operational control, attempting to use someone else's database, having variety of diverse systems activity converging on common database, attempting to run whole show, and…

An approach to the teaching and examining of systems analysis in a university department of computing mathematics in described. Aims, content, and student reaction to the course are discussed. (Author/MLW)

This essay examines ways in which microcomputers are currently used in libraries and suggests practical considerations for those about to embark on automation projects. Sources of information on library automation, the overselling of microcomputing power, systems analysis, and factors to consider in purchase justification are highlighted. Four…

Elements of system analysis (social, technical, and administrative system), culture analysis, and culture change versus system change are discussed. Two famous case studies--one representing system change (Coch-French case) and the other culture change (Guest case)--are examined. (CT)

Limited staff and budget forced a placement office to evaluate the necessity of its various services, with some surprising results. (Author)

This essay explores the methodology of a new discipline, system dynamics, as an approach to the analysis of decisions in education. (Author)

The planning of technical education programs often is a complex and involved process. Some kind of planning system helps serve as an effective method of communicating the purpose, procedure, processes, content, time, and cost to those who need this decision-making information. (Flow charts are included.) (Author)

Systems analysis can and should be used in any situation where there is a need to measure performance and a reasonable possibility of being able to develop more efficient routines. Increasingly, systems analysis is being used by librarians in other areas of library activity, such as budgeting and management. (29 references) (Author)

Systems analysis principles can be used to attain feedback'' from higher education institutions. (Author/PG)

Unit cost analysis provides a rationale for distributing capital costs of physical facilities. (Editor)

A formula is given that enables one to determine the parameters for amortizing an information system within a year. The formula is illustrated with three mechanized information systems for patents. The most critical parameter is shown to be indexing time. (7 references) (Author/NH)

Explained are basic concepts and components that are common to manual, machine-aided, and computer-based systems, and their significance as key factors in the analysis and design of academic library circulation systems is documented. (2 references) (Author)