INFORMATION SYSTEMS PERSONNEL AND HIERARCHY

INFORMATION SYSTEMS PERSONNEL AND HIERARCHY

Information and communication Technology (ICT) have created new job titles such as computer operators, computer operators, computer technicians, system analysts, computer programmers, information system manager, database administrator, web-administrator, and network-administrator.
ICT PERSONNEL
Information System Manager
The information system manager controls, plans, staffs, schedules and monitors all activities of the ICT department in the organization. Using computerized management Information System (MIS), the manager can test the impact that alternative course of action might have on the business.
Other responsibilities of an information system manager include:
i. Making sure that all tasks in the IT department are done correctly and on time in order to support business planning, control and decision-making process.
ii. Preparing budgets for the department
iii. Keeping the department inventory records up-to-date
iv. Managing the human resource within the department.
v. Managing a team of staff including programmers, analysts and support specialists
vi. Evaluating the functionality of systems
vii. Consulting computer users to ascertain needs and to ensure that facilities meet user or project requirements
viii. Selecting and purchasing appropriate hardware and software
ix. Managing it budgets
x. Ensuring software licensing laws are followed
xi. Implementing and managing security or integrity and backup procedures
xii. Scheduling upgrades
xiii. Providing user training, support, advice and feedback
xiv. Testing and modifying systems to ensure that that they operate reliably
xv. Managing secure network access for remote users
xvi. Keeping up to date with new technology
xvii. Designing maintenance procedures and putting them into operation
xviii. Training new staff.

Key skills for information systems managers
a) Analytical and problem-solving skills
b) Strong technical skills
c) The ability to work well under pressure
d) Attention to detail
e) Teamworking skills
f) Organization and time management
g) Interpersonal and communication skills
h) Management and leadership skills
System Analyst
This is a person who is responsible for analyzing a company’s needs or problems then design and develops a computer-based information system. A good analyst is one who has the following attributes:
i. Good problem-solving skills and creativity: Must have wide experience in solving problem.
ii. Good communication skills: The analyst must be able to communicate clearly and precisely both in writing and in speech. He / She must be able to talk to different groups of people e.g. managers, operators, attendant and general public.
iii. Must have business Knowledge: The analyst must clearly understand the environment for which the system is being developed.
iv. Technical knowledge: A system analyst must be well trained in relevant areas of computing such as computer hardware and software and programming knowledge.
Some of the responsibilities of a system analyst included

i. Review the current manual or redundant information system and making recommendations on how to replace it with a more efficient one.
ii. Working with programmers to construct and test the system
iii. Coordinate training for users of the new system.
iv. Identify, understand and plan for organizational and human impacts of planned systems, and ensure that new technical requirements are properly integrated with existing processes and skill sets.

v. Plan a system flow from the ground up.
vi. Interact with internal users and customers to learn and document requirements that are then used to produce business required documents.
vii. Write technical requirements from a critical phase.
viii. Interact with software architect to understand software limitations.
ix. Help programmers during system development, e.g. provide use cases, flowcharts and diagrams.
x. Document requirements or contribute to user manuals.
xi. Whenever a development process is conducted, the system analyst is responsible for designing components and providing that information to the developer.

Computer Programmer
Large organizations such as assurance companies, banks, manufacturing firms and government agencies hire programmers to work together with system analyst in order to:
i. Write inhouse application programs or system programs.
ii. Customize commercial application package to suit the organization needs
iii. Test, debug, install and maintain programs developed or customized for the organization.
iv. Coding and debugging.
v. Designing and testing computer structures.
vi. Troubleshooting system errors.
vii. Writing computer instructions.
viii. Managing database systems.
ix. Maintaining operating systems.
x. Editing source-code.
xi. Profiling and analyzing algorithms.
xii. Implementing build systems.
xiii. Providing tech support.

Network Administrator: –
i. Fully supporting, configuring, maintaining and upgrading corporate customer’s networks and in-house servers
ii. Installing and integrating new server hardware and applications
iii. Keeping an eye out for needed updates

Responsibilities
i. Fully support, configure, maintain and upgrade corporate customer’s networks and in-house servers
ii. Install and integrate new server hardware and applications
iii. Keep an eye out for needed updates
iv. Support and administer third-party applications
v. Ensure network security and connectivity
vi. Monitor network performance (availability, utilization, throughput, goodput, and latency) and test for weaknesses
vii. Set up user accounts, permissions and passwords
viii. Resolve problems reported by end user
ix. Define network policies and procedures
x. Specify system requirements and design solutions
xi. Research and make recommendations on server system administration
Database Administrators
The major purpose of computerizing organization or institutions is to store data in an organized way for easy access, retrieval and update. The organization requires a person who should be responsible for updating records in an information system database. For this reason, a database administrator is responsible for: –
i. Designing and developing database applications for the organization
ii. Setting up security measures needed to control access to data and information.
iii. Keeping the database up-to-date by adding new records, modifying or deleting unnecessary records
iv. Ensuring that the database is up and running all the time.
v. Pre-implementation tasks such as feasibility study, capacity planning, installation, and implementation activities.
vi. Configuration and eventual design of the database models relative to the requirements of the organization.
vii. Migrating existing data from legacy platforms such as text files and spreadsheets.
viii. Designing and implementing backup and restore strategies.

Computer Technician
Computer technician’s job varies depending on the company and industry they work at. However, their general responsibilities include setting up hardware and installing software. In addition, they are often responsible for maintaining and repairing various type of technological equipment.
i. Set up hardware
ii. Install software
iii. Identifying and troubleshooting problems.
iv. Maintaining hardware and software.
v. Resolving network and connectivity issues.
vi. Repairing motherboards and upgrading firmware.
vii. Installing software applications and CRM programs.
viii. Handling security updates.
ix. Providing technical support.
x. Testing and debugging programs.
xi. Managing workstations.
xii. Coaching end-users.

Web administrator/Webmaster
Webmaster responsibilities include:
i. Testing websites across browsers, operating systems and devices
ii. Monitoring online traffic and conversions
iii. Ensuring functionality and efficiency of sites and web servers
Responsibilities
i. Build functional and easy-to-use websites
ii. Test websites across browsers, operating systems and devices
iii. Maintain, configure and troubleshoot servers
iv. Ensure site security by setting up firewalls and login pages
v. Optimize loading speeds and capacity
vi. Debug pages and fix broken links or images
vii. Update website content and review SEO
viii. Monitor and analyze site performance (e.g. traffic, conversions)

ix. Address user complaints