Use Cases

Definition

Use cases are detailed descriptions of how users will interact with a system, outlining the functional requirements and expected outcomes for specific scenarios. They serve as a bridge between stakeholder needs and system functionality, helping to clarify what the system should do based on user interactions. Use cases emphasize user goals, ensuring that the design process aligns with real-world applications and user expectations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Use cases help in understanding user needs by focusing on specific interactions, which can be prioritized during the design process.
2. Each use case typically includes a title, a brief description, a list of actors involved, preconditions, main flows, and alternative flows for different scenarios.
3. They are valuable during requirements gathering as they provide a clear context for discussions with stakeholders about what features are necessary.
4. Use cases can evolve over time; new scenarios may be added or existing ones may be modified as more information becomes available about user needs.
5. Use cases support communication among team members by providing a shared understanding of how the system should function from the user's perspective.

Review Questions

• How do use cases enhance the requirements analysis process?
  • Use cases enhance the requirements analysis process by providing a structured way to capture user interactions and expectations. They allow stakeholders to visualize how users will engage with the system and identify functional requirements that need to be fulfilled. This clarity helps to ensure that developers and designers focus on creating features that truly meet user needs, reducing misunderstandings and rework during later stages.
• Discuss the importance of including alternative flows in use cases and how they impact system design.
  • Including alternative flows in use cases is important because it addresses potential deviations from the main success path. These alternative paths can represent error conditions, exceptional situations, or variations in user behavior. By considering these scenarios during the design phase, developers can create more robust systems that handle unexpected situations gracefully, ultimately leading to a better user experience and reduced likelihood of system failures.
• Evaluate how use cases can influence project outcomes by shaping stakeholder collaboration and system functionalities.
  • Use cases significantly influence project outcomes by fostering collaboration among stakeholders throughout the development process. By clearly defining user interactions and expectations, they facilitate discussions among project managers, designers, developers, and clients. This collaborative environment ensures that all parties have a shared understanding of system functionalities, which leads to more accurate requirements capture, reduced scope creep, and higher quality products that align closely with user needs.

Related terms

Actors: Actors are entities that interact with the system, typically representing users or other systems that engage in use case scenarios.

Functional Requirements: Functional requirements are specific behaviors or functions of a system, describing what it should accomplish in response to various inputs.

Scenarios: Scenarios are specific instances or examples of use cases that describe particular sequences of actions taken by actors to achieve a goal within the system.