System analysts need systems

Today did some modifications on a database application, or rather just a computerized invoice printing application. Some thoughts:

Programmers explain a system to the computer.
System analysts explain a system to the programmers.
These people are trained to do their job.

The common problem is here:
Bosses, who usually may not be pro-system people and thus may not have a system in mind, are supposed to explain a system to the system analysts.

Hmmm.. wonder if MBA and similar courses teach people about system. Anyway, I haven't been in this area of the IT field.