Career Details
Career Details
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Career Details

15-1211.00 - Computer Systems Analysts


Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions, improve existing computer systems, and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and schedule limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
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Forecasted Employment
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Change in Employment
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Change in Employment %
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Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer-related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems.
  • Test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the installation of computer programs and systems.
  • Confer with clients regarding the nature of the information processing or computation needs a computer program is to address.
  • Coordinate and link the computer systems within an organization to increase compatibility so that information can be shared.
  • Consult with management to ensure agreement on system principles.
  • Expand or modify system to serve new purposes or improve work flow.
  • Train staff and users to work with computer systems and programs.
  • Assess the usefulness of pre-developed application packages and adapt them to a user environment.
  • Define the goals of the system and devise flow charts and diagrams describing logical operational steps of programs.
  • Develop, document, and revise system design procedures, test procedures, and quality standards.
  • Use the computer in the analysis and solution of business problems, such as development of integrated production and inventory control and cost analysis systems.
  • Troubleshoot program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning.
Supplemental
  • Use object-oriented programming languages, as well as client and server applications development processes and multimedia and Internet technology.
  • Interview or survey workers, observe job performance, or perform the job to determine what information is processed and how it is processed.
  • Determine computer software or hardware needed to set up or alter system.
  • Analyze information processing or computation needs and plan and design computer systems, using techniques such as structured analysis, data modeling, and information engineering.
  • Review and analyze computer printouts and performance indicators to locate code problems, and correct errors by correcting codes.
  • Recommend new equipment or software packages.
  • Read manuals, periodicals, and technical reports to learn how to develop programs that meet staff and user requirements.
  • Supervise computer programmers or other systems analysts or serve as project leaders for particular systems projects.
  • Prepare cost-benefit and return-on-investment analyses to aid in decisions on system implementation.
  • Specify inputs accessed by the system and plan the distribution and use of the results.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 86%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 English Language
  • 79%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 62%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Mathematics
  • 62%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Administration and Management
  • 60%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Education and Training
  • 51%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Clerical
  • 50%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 Telecommunications
  • 50%
    Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Mainframe computers
  • Notebook computers
  • Personal digital assistants PDA
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content authoring and editing software
  • 3M Post-it App
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Fireworks
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Flash
  • Adobe Systems Adobe IllustratorHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe PhotoshopHOT
  • Diagramming software
  • Flow chart software
  • Google DocsHOT
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Microsoft VisioHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Omni Group OmniGraffle
  • YouTubeHOT
 Networking software
  • Access management software
  • Amazon Simple Storage Service S3HOT
  • Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormationHOT
  • CitrixHOT
  • IBM Domino
 Development software
  • AcmeStudio
  • Ada
  • Adobe ColdFusion
  • Adobe Systems Adobe ActionScript
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Flex
  • Advanced business application programming ABAPHOT
  • AJAXHOT
  • Apache AntHOT
  • Apache GroovyHOT
  • Apache KafkaHOT
  • Apache Maven
  • Apache StrutsHOT
  • Apache TomcatHOT
  • Application management software
  • Architecture description language ADL
  • Atlassian BambooHOT
  • Automated installation software
  • Backbone.jsHOT
  • C
  • C#HOT
  • C++HOT
  • Cascading Style Sheets CSSHOT
  • Chef
  • Common business oriented language COBOLHOT
  • Compatibility testing software
  • Component object model COM software
  • Defect tracking software
  • Distributed component object model DCOM software
  • DjangoHOT
  • DrupalHOT
  • Dynamic analysis software
  • Dynamic hypertext markup language DHTML
  • Eclipse IDEHOT
  • Eiffel
  • Embarcadero JBuilder
  • Enterprise JavaBeans
  • Ext JS
  • Extensible HyperText Markup Language XHTML
  • Extensible markup language XMLHOT
  • Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
  • Functional testing software
  • GoHOT
  • Google AngularJSHOT
  • Hewlett Packard LoadRunner
  • HyperSpace
  • Hypertext markup language HTMLHOT
  • IBM InfoSphere DataStage
  • IBM Rational ClearCase
  • IBM Rational ClearQuest
  • IBM Rational PurifyPlus
  • IBM Rational Rose XDE Developer
  • IBM WebSphereHOT
  • InstallShield
  • Integrated development environment IDE softwareHOT
  • Integration testing software
  • Interoperability testing software
  • J
  • JavaScriptHOT
  • JavaScript Object Notation JSONHOT
  • jQueryHOT
  • JUnitHOT
  • Jupyter Notebook
  • LAMP Stack
  • Load testing software
  • Microsoft .NET FrameworkHOT
  • Microsoft Active Server Pages ASPHOT
  • Microsoft ActiveX
  • Microsoft ASP.NETHOT
  • Microsoft ASP.NET Core MVCHOT
  • Microsoft AzureHOT
  • Microsoft PowerShellHOT
  • Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services SSISHOT
  • Microsoft Visual BasicHOT
  • Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBAHOT
  • Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScriptHOT
  • Microsoft Visual Basic.NET
  • Microsoft Visual C# .NET
  • Microsoft Visual StudioHOT
  • Migration testing software
  • Mutation testing software
  • National Instruments LabVIEWHOT
  • Node.jsHOT
  • Objective CHOT
  • Oracle Fusion MiddlewareHOT
  • Oracle JavaHOT
  • Oracle Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition J2EE
  • Oracle JavaServer Pages JSPHOT
  • Patch and update management software
  • Perforce Helix software
  • Personal computer diagnostic software
  • PHP: Hypertext PreprocessorHOT
  • Popkin System Architect
  • Practical extraction and reporting language PerlHOT
  • PuppetHOT
  • PythonHOT
  • RHOT
  • Rapide
  • ReactHOT
  • Recovery testing software
  • Regression testing software
  • Requirements management software
  • RubyHOT
  • Ruby on RailsHOT
  • Salesforce VisualforceHOT
  • SAP NetWeaver
  • SAP Netweaver BW
  • ScalaHOT
  • Security testing software
  • SeleniumHOT
  • Smalltalk
  • Software distribution software
  • Spring FrameworkHOT
  • Static analysis software
  • Stress testing software
  • SwiftHOT
  • Symantec Visual Cafe
  • System testing software
  • Systems and application deployment and migration software
  • Test design software
  • Test implementation software
  • Time sharing option TSO software
  • Unified modeling language UMLHOT
  • Unit testing software
  • Usability testing software
  • Verilog
  • VMWareHOT
  • WebFOCUS
  • Wise Solutions Wise for Windows Installer
 Network applications software
  • Active directory software
  • CrossTec NetOp Remote Control
  • DockerHOT
  • GitHubHOT
  • Oracle Application Server
  • Oracle WebLogic ServerHOT
  • Red Hat OpenShiftHOT
  • Red Hat WildFlyHOT
  • Remote control software
  • Skype
  • Spring BootHOT
  • Stac Software ReachOut
  • Symantec pcAnywhere
 Content management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
  • Apache Subversion SVNHOT
  • Atlassian JIRAHOT
  • GitHOT
  • Version control software
 Business function specific software
  • ADP Workforce NowHOT
  • Ansible softwareHOT
  • ConfluenceHOT
  • Help desk software
  • Human resource management software HRMS
  • Marketo Marketing AutomationHOT
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
  • Microsoft ProjectHOT
  • Microsoft SharePointHOT
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementHOT
  • Oracle TaleoHOT
  • Slack
 Data management and query software
  • Amazon DynamoDBHOT
  • Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2HOT
  • Amazon RedshiftHOT
  • Amazon Web Services AWS softwareHOT
  • Apache CassandraHOT
  • Apache HadoopHOT
  • Apache HiveHOT
  • Apache HTTP ServerHOT
  • Apache PigHOT
  • Apache SolrHOT
  • Apache SparkHOT
  • Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
  • Blackboard software
  • Business intelligence system software
  • CA Erwin Data Modeler
  • Customer information control system CICS
  • Data entry softwareHOT
  • ElasticsearchHOT
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Google AnalyticsHOT
  • Hibernate ORM
  • IBM Cognos ImpromptuHOT
  • IBM DB2
  • Informatica Corporation PowerCenter
  • LexisNexis
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • Microsoft Internet Information Service IIS
  • Microsoft SQL ServerHOT
  • Microsoft SQL Server Reporting ServicesHOT
  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro
  • MicroStrategyHOT
  • MongoDBHOT
  • MySQLHOT
  • NoSQLHOT
  • Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise EditionHOT
  • Oracle Business Intelligence Suite
  • Oracle DBMS
  • Oracle Eloqua
  • Oracle JDBCHOT
  • Oracle Master Data Management MDM Suite
  • Oracle PL/SQLHOT
  • Oracle softwareHOT
  • PostgreSQLHOT
  • Qlik Tech QlikViewHOT
  • Relational database management softwareHOT
  • Salesforce softwareHOT
  • SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise
  • SAP BusinessObjects Desktop Intelligence
  • SAP Crystal ReportsHOT
  • SAP Master Data Management MDM
  • Software asset management SAM software
  • Structured query language SQLHOT
  • Sun Microsystems Sun ONE
  • TableauHOT
  • Teradata DatabaseHOT
  • Transact-SQLHOT
  • Web server software
 Operating environment software
  • Apple macOSHOT
  • BashHOT
  • Hewlett Packard HP-UX
  • Job control language JCL
  • KornShell
  • LinuxHOT
  • Microsoft WindowsHOT
  • Microsoft Windows ServerHOT
  • Oracle SolarisHOT
  • Red Hat Enterprise LinuxHOT
  • Shell scriptHOT
  • Ubuntu
  • UNIXHOT
  • UNIX ShellHOT
 Information exchange software
  • Blink
  • Cisco Systems Webex
  • ESRI ArcGIS softwareHOT
  • Geographic information system GIS softwareHOT
  • IBM NotesHOT
  • Microsoft ExchangeHOT
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
  • Slido
 Network management software
  • Cisco Systems CiscoWorks
  • Element management software
  • NagiosHOT
  • Network intrusion prevention systems NIPS
  • Snort
  • Voice over internet protocol VoiP system softwareHOT
  • WiresharkHOT
 Industry specific software
  • Computer aided design and drafting CADD softwareHOT
  • Dassault Systemes CATIAHOT
  • Electronic design automation EDA softwareHOT
  • Epic SystemsHOT
  • Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCSHOT
  • Hierarchical simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis HSPICE
  • IBM SPSS StatisticsHOT
  • Medical condition coding softwareHOT
  • Medical procedure coding software
  • MEDITECH softwareHOT
  • MinitabHOT
  • OrCAD CaptureHOT
  • SASHOT
  • SpectraQuestHOT
  • StataCorp Stata
  • Structure prediction software
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA softwareHOT
  • The MathWorks MATLABHOT
 Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Cost estimation software
  • Delphi Technology
  • Fund accounting software
  • Microsoft DynamicsHOT
  • Microsoft Dynamics GPHOT
  • NetSuite ERPHOT
  • Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
  • Oracle Fusion ApplicationsHOT
  • Oracle HyperionHOT
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOneHOT
  • Oracle PeopleSoftHOT
  • Oracle PeopleSoft FinancialsHOT
  • SAPHOT
  • SAP Business ObjectsHOT
  • Tax software
 Utility and device driver software
  • Data conversion software
  • System and data disaster recovery software
  • Veritas NetBackup
 System management software
  • IBM Power Systems software
  • Splunk EnterpriseHOT
 Security and protection software
  • McAfee
  • SymantecHOT
  • Virtual private networking VPN softwareHOT
  • Virus scanning software
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific certifications are listed for this career
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Blue Ridge Community College
Bluefield University
Bridgewater College
Brightpoint Community College
Central Virginia Community College
Danville Community College
Eastern Shore Community College
George Mason University
George Washington University College of Professional Studies
Germanna Community College
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
James Madison University
Laurel Ridge Community College
Marymount University
Mountain Empire Community College
Mountain Gateway Community College
New River Community College
Norfolk State University
Northern Virginia Community College
Old Dominion University
Patrick & Henry Community College
Paul D. Camp Community College
Piedmont Virginia Community College
Randolph-Macon College
Rappahannock Community College
Regent University
Richard Bland College
Shenandoah University
Southside Virginia Community College
Southwest Virginia Community College
The University of Virginia's College at Wise
Tidewater Community College
University of Lynchburg
University of Mary Washington
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Highlands Community College
Virginia Peninsula Community College
Virginia Western Community College
Wytheville Community College