Artifact: Use Case |
This artifact captures the system behavior to yield an observable result of value to those who interact with the system.
Domains: Requirements
Purpose
Use cases are used for the following purposes: To reach a common understanding of system behavior To design elements that support the required behavior To identify test cases To plan and assess work To write user documentation.
Description
Brief Outline | A use case typically includes the following information: Name: The name of the use case Brief Description: A brief description of the role and purpose of the use case Flow of Events: A textual description of what the system does in regard to a use case scenario (not how specific problems are solved by the system). Write the description so that the customer can understand it. The flows can include a basic flow, alternative flows, and subflows. Key scenarios: A textual description of the most important or frequently discussed scenarios Special Requirements: A textual description that collects all of the requirements of the use case that are not considered in the use-case model, but that must be taken care of during design or implementation (for example, non-functional requirements) Preconditions: A textual description that defines a constraint on the system when the use case starts Post-conditions: A textual description that defines a constraint on the system when the use case ends Extension points: A list of locations within the flow of events of the use case at which additional behavior can be inserted by using the extend-relationship
Illustrations
Templates | Use-Case Specification
Examples | Use-Case Specification
Tailoring
Impact of not having | Without this artifact, it might be unclear which functionality the solution needs to support.
Reasons for not needing | You might not need to use a use case if your project uses alternative requirements practices (for example, “The system shall…” statements).
Representation Options | You can document the use case as a use-case specification document or you can incorporate the use case in a use-case model. You can also use a requirements management tool to capture use cases and parts of use cases.
More Information
Checklists | Use Case
Concepts | Use Case
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