Learning Goals

• Describe the importance of a use-case model
• Identify the 3 components of a use-case model
• Create a use-case diagram

Summary of the Chapter

A use-case model is a set of typical system scenarios that essentially describe functional requirements. These models improve the readability and comprehension of the system. Use-case models can benefit parties on both the development and finance sides. This chapter describes a use-case model and how to generate use- case diagrams.

A use-case has three main components: system actors, multiple use-cases for those actors, and relationships between them. This chapter explains how to identify the actors, define the use-cases, and recognize relationships.

Considerations for Lesson Planning

Generally, use-case models are best explained/taught by demonstrating how to create one. For example, if the class is focused on creating a vision document (Chapter 4) devoted to improvements on a point-of-sale (POS) technology, then the instructor can help learners generate different use-cases to investigate. In all cases, it is useful to provide graphics (even simple hand-drawn representations) to help students visualize the concepts.

As well, it will likely be important to ensure that students are familiar with basic design thinking strategies such as empathy mapping before engaging with use-case modelling. Often, students can better devise potential use-cases by thinking through and analyzing the stakeholders. Interviews of stakeholders can be especially productive in this situation.

Assessment Strategies

While there are many ways to assess use-case models based on the output itself (e.g., quality of the graphics, complexity of the use-case design), it can be more useful to assess for the depth of analysis that learners undertook to develop the use-case. Of course, assessing on analytical skill will require additional qualitative measures, but often, these qualitative measures can generate stronger formative feedback and support the learners in recognizing the value of their analyses to support the anticipated use-case model outcome.

If the portion of the course devoted to use-case models is focused on producing use-cases and on the quality of the depiction (i.e., for ease of reading, clarity of labels, complexity of components, etc.), then measures related to the production will be important,.

Suggested Resources

A. Della Porta, Business Modelling – Use Case Diagrams: Tools and Techniques, (Dec. 12, 2019)., The Sustainable PM, [Online Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86v6a5B4WMc. [Accessed November 12, 2021].

W. Lynch, “All You Need to Know about Use Case Modeling”, [March 22, 2019] https://warren2lynch.medium.com/all-you-need-to-know-about-use-case-modeling-828756da3215 [Accessed January 1, 2022].

“Use Case Modeling”, W3Computing, https://www.w3computing.com/systemsanalysis/use-case-modeling/ [Accessed January 1, 2022].

Use Cases: The Pros and Cons. https://www.cs.hmc.edu/~mike/courses/mike121/readings/reqsModeling/firesmith.htm. Accessed 19 Feb. 2022.