| Knowledge acquired through accumulated on-the-job experience has set experts apart from novice analysts, and, as a result, distinguished successful analysts from less successful analysts. Experience-based knowledge has a tacit quality in that it is difficult to articulate. Transferring this knowledge from expert to novice should accelerate the i evolution from novice to expert and, therefore, improve the effectiveness of systems analysts and the quality of developed information systems. However, to date, transfer of knowledge between groups or individuals in an organization continues to be a problem in organizations. It is clear that these challenges have created research opportunities with potential benefits from an integration of research in systems analysis and knowledge management.; This study breaks new ground by identifying and categorizing tacit knowledge of systems analysts in the systems analysis domain. A total of 132 tacit knowledge items was generated from 25 experienced and highly successful systems analysts. The identified knowledge represents practical knowledge gained through the analyst's experience, and this knowledge can be used to develop training programs to assist knowledge transfer to other analysts, thus accelerating the transition from novice to expert systems analysts.; The study generated 14 categories of functionally-related tacit knowledge items, and the resultant categories represent the major areas of systems analysis in which tacit knowledge resides and learning opportunities available to analysts to acquire this knowledge. The predominant categories are Communicating, Eliciting Cooperation, Selecting/Administrating Elicitation Techniques, and Confirming Requirements; these categories comprise over 50% of the tacit knowledge derived from the study. The study found that experienced, successful analysts interviewed in the study conceptualize systems analysis in behavioral, managerial, and political terms and focus heavily on interpersonal, project management, and organizational issues. |
