1. Select a business problem you want to solve.

Focus on the business needs of the problem. Business problems that are applicable for information systems include either a business process that requires or processes information. The other type of applicable business problem entails producing reports or providing critical information to the organization. For example, the self-insured health insurance program needs to project expenses for the next year based on past claims, changes in employee demographics, and estimated increases in health care costs.

2. Follow the main steps to solve the problem:

• Research and understand the problem,
• verify that the benefits of solving the problem outweigh the costs,
• define requirements for a solution,
• develop a set of possible solutions (alternatives),
• decide which solution is best,
• define the details of the chosen solution.

3. Prepare a list of potential stakeholders (even if Fictitious)

Most important is communication skills. Other skills include being able to build rapport, be able to understand and translate people's problems into business requirements. The analyst must play many roles, including teacher, mentor, confidante, collaborator, and manager.

4. Use modeling tools

• If applicable, design a process flow at a high level
• Define a list of use cases and a use case diagram
• Develop a list of classes and a class diagram
• Design the database structure
• Design the system high level structure

5. Insights and comments on your experience

• Document potential challenges you anticipate
• What have your learned from this experience
• What are potential deployment strategies