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aCKnowledgments

The field of information systems was transforming astonishingly as we were writing the ninth
edition of Systems Analysis and Design. We are thrilled that this edition is being published at the
right time for us to capture many of these innovations in systems development.
One major change is the rapidly increasing use of the Web as a platform for information
systems. Cloud computing will dramatically change the way that analysts approach designing
systems solutions.
Another major change addressed in this edition is the emergence of smartphones and tablets
as corporate platforms for IT. With the advent of BYOD (bring your own device) systems, ana-
lysts face new challenges in developing successful and secure systems that can easily traverse
multiple platforms.
Throughout the book you will learn and apply numerous techniques, methods, tools, and ap-
proaches to help visually capture a system. But when the time comes to interpret what is happening
in the organization and to develop meaningful information systems from the application of rules
to your analysis, your training combines with creativity to produce a system that is in some ways a
surprise: It is structured, yet intuitive, multilayered, and complex, in keeping with the character of
the organization and uniquely reflective of you as a systems analyst and a human being.
The artist Richard Kalina, who created the colorful collage on the cover of the ninth edi-
tion, writes, “P3 Vega is inspired by the representation of scientific phenomena, ranging from
astronomy, chemistry and physics to cybernetics and information theory. The painting is not a
literal depiction, but rather an abstracted map or chart, a way of thinking and observing. P3 Vega
is a set of interlocking connections, a network of circular nodes joined by colored lines. It feels
stable but shifting—a static depiction of a changeable state. I am trying to find a visual corollary
to the beauty that underlies logical systems, and to make something beautiful, hopefully, in the
process.” We hope that you as a student will also appreciate, through this book, the beauty that
underlies logical systems.
It is, in fact, our own students who deserve recognition for this new edition because of their
feedback and recommendations for improvements and requests for increased depth in certain top-
ics. Students told us that they quickly put to use the new material on designing apps and interfaces
for smartphones and tablets as well as the material on new project management techniques and
cloud computing. We are indebted to their quest to continually improve their skills. We want to
thank our coauthor, Allen Schmidt, who once again worked with us on the HyperCase 2.9 and
CPU Case Episodes for all his dedication, insight, and humor during our collaboration. He is a
superb human being. Our appreciation also goes to Peter Schmidt and Jason Reed for their im-
provements to the early HyperCase. In addition, we want to thank the other two original authors
of HyperCase, Richard Baskerville and Raymond Barnes, who contributed so much.
We would like to thank our ninth edition production team, especially our executive editor,
Bob Horan, whose intelligence and tranquil demeanor are always inspiring. We are also grateful
to Kelly Loftus, who is our extremely capable senior project manager for MIS, for her composed
competency and for her enthusiasm in keeping the project going. Ilene Kahn, our production
project manager, also deserves thanks for helping us succeed in making this a robust, inclusive,
and accurate revision. Their help and keen interest in our book facilitated the completion of this
project in a smooth and timely manner.
We also appreciate the encouragement and support of the entire Rutgers community, includ-
ing our chancellor, Wendell Prittchett, and our colleagues and staff in the School of Business–
Camden and throughout all of Rutgers. They have been very enthusiastic about this edition as
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