IT Systems Design and Analysis: From Requirements to Architecture

Every successful technology solution begins with a solid plan, yet many projects fail because of a disconnect between business needs and technical execution. This course teaches you how to think like a systems analyst, translating complex organizational problems into clear technical blueprints that guide development teams. You will gain a deep understanding of how to evaluate existing infrastructure and design new systems that are both scalable and efficient. By the end of this course, you will be able to document requirements, model data structures, and architect workflows that align perfectly with business objectives. What you'll learn: - Understand the core phases of the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and modern iterative methodologies. - Create clear logic models using Unified Modeling Language (UML) and Data Flow Diagrams (DFD) through written exercises. - Design robust data structures by mastering Entity-Relationship Diagrams (ERD) and foundational normalization. - Analyze business workflows to identify opportunities for automation and seamless system integration. - Evaluate enterprise solutions like ERP and CRM systems to ensure they meet organizational needs. - Apply modern design principles including cloud-native architecture patterns and API-first strategies. The course begins with essential terminology and the fundamental philosophy of systems thinking before moving into the practical techniques used to gather requirements and model complex data. You will read through detailed explanations of architectural patterns and practice your skills with written scenarios that mimic real-world IT challenges. This course is designed for beginners, aspiring systems analysts, and project managers who want to understand the technical side of business operations. No prior technical background or programming experience is required. Start building the skills to design the next generation of IT systems today.