Use Cases
✅ 1. What is a Use Case?
📌 Definition:
A Use Case is a description of how a user (actor) interacts with a system to achieve a specific goal. It captures functional requirements and focuses on user-system interaction to ensure that the system delivers value to its users.
💡 Goal: Describe what the system will do from a user’s perspective, step by step.
✅ 2. Key Components of a Use Case
Component
Description
Use Case ID
Unique identifier for reference.
Use Case Name
Brief, descriptive title of the use case.
Actors
Users or other systems interacting with the system.
Description
Short summary of what the use case does.
Pre-conditions
What must be true before the use case starts.
Post-conditions
State of the system after successful completion.
Basic Flow (Main Flow)
Normal sequence of steps from start to finish.
Alternative Flows
Variations, exceptions, or errors that may occur.
Assumptions
Things assumed to be true for the use case to work.
Priority
Importance or rank of the use case.
✅ 3. Why are Use Cases Important?
Purpose
Benefit
Clarify functional requirements
Ensure clear understanding of system behavior.
Bridge communication gaps
Help business and technical teams align.
Identify system interactions
Understand how users will use the system.
Basis for test case development
Used to create scenarios for system testing.
Support user interface design
Understand user journeys for better UX.
✅ 4. Basic Structure of a Use Case (Example Template)
sqlCopyEditUse Case ID: UC-001
Use Case Name: User Login
Actor: Registered User
Description: This use case describes how a registered user logs into the system.
Pre-conditions:
- User must have an active account.
- User must have valid login credentials.
Post-conditions:
- User is authenticated and redirected to their dashboard.
Basic Flow:
1. User navigates to the login page.
2. User enters their email and password.
3. User clicks the "Login" button.
4. System validates the credentials.
5. System grants access and redirects to the dashboard.
Alternative Flows:
4a. Invalid Credentials:
- System shows an error message: "Invalid email or password."
- User can retry.
Assumptions:
- System is available and online.
Priority: High✅ 5. Types of Use Cases
Type
Purpose
Business Use Cases
Describe high-level business processes involving multiple actors and systems.
System Use Cases
Focus on interactions between users and the system to achieve specific goals.
✅ 6. Actors in Use Cases
🔹 Primary Actor:
Main user who initiates the interaction to achieve a goal.
Example: "Customer" logging into an e-commerce site.
🔹 Secondary Actor:
Other systems or users that assist the primary actor.
Example: "Payment Gateway" in an online purchase process.
✅ 7. Use Case Diagram (Visual Representation)
📊 Purpose:
Show interactions between actors and system functions in a graphical form.
📌 Elements:
Oval
Use case (function/process).
Stick Figure
Actor (user/system).
Line
Interaction/association.
Example (Text Description of Diagram):
scssCopyEditActor (User) ----> (Login)
Actor (User) ----> (Place Order)
Actor (Admin) ---> (Manage Products)✅ 8. Difference Between Use Case and User Story
Aspect
Use Case
User Story
Format
Detailed step-by-step interaction.
Short sentence: "As a [user], I want [goal], so that [benefit]."
Focus
Interaction and flow of events.
User need and value.
Detail Level
More formal and detailed.
Short and simple.
Purpose
Capture detailed system behavior.
Capture a high-level requirement or goal.
✅ 9. Benefits of Use Cases for Business Analysts (BA)
Benefit
Explanation
Clear understanding of requirements
Ensures precise definition of user and system interactions.
Improves communication
Acts as a common language for business and technical teams.
Identifies functional gaps
Highlights missing or incomplete functionalities.
Helps in test planning
Used to create test cases and scenarios.
Guides UI/UX design
Shows step-by-step user journey.
✅ 10. Tools for Creating Use Cases and Diagrams
Tool Type
Examples
Purpose
Diagram Tools
Lucidchart, Microsoft Visio, Draw.io, Creately
Create visual use case diagrams.
Requirement Tools
Jira, Confluence, IBM DOORS, Azure DevOps
Document and manage use cases and requirements.
Modeling Tools
Enterprise Architect, Visual Paradigm
Advanced system modeling.
✅ 11. Common Mistakes in Writing Use Cases and How to Avoid Them
Mistake
Solution
Too much technical detail
Focus on what the system does, not how.
Vague descriptions
Be specific and clear in each step.
Ignoring alternative flows
Include exceptions and errors handling.
Not involving stakeholders
Collaborate with users for accurate flows.
Incomplete pre/post-conditions
Clearly define starting and ending states.
✅ 12. Summary of Use Cases
Aspect
Details
Purpose
Describe user interactions with the system to achieve goals.
Key Elements
Actors, steps, pre/post-conditions, alternative flows.
Benefits
Clarify functional requirements, improve communication, guide testing.
Tools
Lucidchart, Visio, Jira, Confluence.
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