Using the language-action perspective proposed by T. Winograd and F. Flores (1986), the author creates a general framework for both systems analysis and its practice. Structured analysis and design technique (SADT), a systems analysis methodology, is augmented using this framework. This work took place on the CONTRACT (commitment negotiation and tracking tool) project. The author includes the experiences of both users and systems analysts during the project, and emphasizes how to develop SADT descriptions with users to represent the richness and complexity of social interactions at work. The resulting software specification is also presented, including how it aided the work of the people who actually helped develop it.<>