In: Computer Science
Hello,
In my view both arguments are valid depending on the situation or type of product and the mindset of the users.
1.Coming to the first one which is “Give users what they ask for.
If they want lots of reports and reams of data, then that is what
you should provide. Otherwise, they will feel that you are trying
to tell them how to do their jobs.”
Here the intention of the analyst is to satisfy the user by providing the information what they want exactly. and here the users and managements minds are like all reports, no matter how many reams it may be should be in hard copy so somebody can them trawl through it and find the information they need and then manipulate it for their needs.
and here the analyst is thinking of business goal so he is including concerns of users.
2.And the second one is “Systems analysts should let users know
what information can be obtained from the system. If you listen to
users, you’ll never get anywhere because they really don’t know
what they want and don’t understand information systems.”
And here the analyst says that system can not provide what user ask. Because here he is thinking practically. Because somany users will be there and every one will have their own thoughts which are completely different. so to be practical fulfilling the everyone's thoughts and wants is difficult.
And here one more point the second one is trying to say is users are usually very far and few between who actually know and understand what their systems can do for them and the sort of data that is available from a modern well built IT and software solution.
Here the first analyst is thinking by standing of business owner place and the second analyst is thinking as a developer.
So finally my advice is both analyst should be with mutual understanding. And by implementing different software/system we can satisfy the user. We may not provide complete data/information but by providing new things which should be different from other company's. And we need to explain/convience the user for which we are not able to provide. For that we should be having conviencing capability's.