Book excerpt: In any software design project, the analysis of stage documenting and designing of technical requirements for the needs of users is vital to the success of the project. This book provides a thorough introduction and survey on all aspects of analysis, including design of E-commerce systems, and how it fits into the software engineering process. The material is based on successful professional courses offered at Columbia University to a diverse audience of advanced students and professionals. An emphasis is placed on the stages of analysis and the presentation of many alternative modeling tools that an analyst can utilise. Particular attention is paid to interviews, modeling tools, and approaches used in building effective web-based E-commerce systems.