Information Systems Major

IT business analysts act as a liaison between business users and an organization’s technical team. They work closely with users to understand business processes and reporting needs—then, they work to translate them into technical specifications and solutions. IT business analysts may help facilitate system design, validation, and training sessions, but they are also responsible for assessing the impact of new software, system upgrades, and patches. They may be asked to focus on several systems and to determine how best to integrate those systems to deliver maximum efficiency and business value. IT business analysts provide insight and data regarding cost versus return on investment for IT-related projects.

Computer programmers are responsible for developing and testing computer programs that solve problems. Programmers also create documentation for programs they write. In today’s era, programmers work together to produce large-scale software systems.

Technology consulting focuses on advising organizations on how best to use information technology to achieve business objectives. In addition to providing advice, technology consultants often estimate, manage, implement, deploy, and administer IT systems on behalf of their client organizations. Areas of technology consulting can include Enterprise Reporting Platforms (ERP), cloud, and systems design and implementation.

A product manager connects business strategy, design knowledge, and customer needs in order to develop a product that is relevant, feasible, and valuable. PMs are focused on optimizing a product to achieve the business goals and user necessities while maximizing return on investment.

Project managers are responsible for client engagements from the planning phase through implementation and delivery. Project management involves determining the scope of client engagements, allocating resources to implementation teams, and determining effective approaches to work completion. Those working in this area must be able to meet deadlines and to interact extensively with clients, developers, and external departments. A project manager may also be required to design performance and expense comparisons. Above all else, project management is concerned with ensuring accuracy and quality of client deliverables.

Those working in systems analysis and design roles use both business and computer programming skills to plan, develop, test, and document computer programs. They also evaluate new or modified programs to determine feasibility, cost, time requirements, and compatibility with current system capabilities within an organization.

Database analysts collect different pieces of data that are assembled to create working databases. When designing databases, they determine a structure that allows for easy data storage and retrieval. Database analysts also often work with existing databases by maintaining and updating them as needed by businesses.