When the detailed analysis is completed, the new system is designed. Systems analysts often use a top-down approach to design a new system. This approach divides a large, complicated problem into a series of smaller problems that are easier to solve. The smaller problems are solved and brought together to solve the larger problem. There are various tools used for analysis and design.

When developing a new system, it is essential to understand how the information processes will operate. It is often a lot easier to design a solution if a diagram can be drawn. 

There are a number of diagrammatic tools that describe the information processes within a system, including 

• context diagrams, 
• data flow diagrams and system flow charts.