1. ++ My advice [ Advice in usecases ]
2. + My page on use cases [ usecases.html ]
3. + A use case is a collection scenarios of an actor using the system (and other actors perhaps) to achieve a goal.
4. + Definitions
5. actor::="Something with behavior, goals, ...".
6. scenario::text="an instance of a use case...", a list of steps that an actor takes with the system responses.
7. use_case::set(text)="a collection of related scenarios...".

8. * A use case diagram gives a nice summary of names and relationships of the actors and the use cases in a system.
9. * Motivation: why
10. * Functional requirements?
11. * Three Kinds of Actor: primary, secondary, off-stage.
12. *** Four Use case Formats/Levels:
    
    1. +++ A name [ usecases.html#Level 1 -- Give it a name ]

       [ Level 2 -- Brief Format in usecases ]

       [ Level 3 -- Casual in usecases ]

       [ Level 4 -- Fully Dressed in usecases ]

    
    
13. * Example
14. Meaning of sections
15. Two column format?
16. ** Guidelines
    
    1. * no user-interface stuff
    2. * A use case name starts with a strong verb: make, deleted, manage, construct, find, discover, buy, sell.
    3. * TERSE. Delete words.
    4. ** Black box: no internal/invisible steps. Each step involves an external actor. Primary, secondary, or off stage.
    5. Actors and their goals.
    6. * How to find.
    7. * Tests for use cases: are they valuable, atomic, and not too large or small.
    
    

System -- Shopping Aid

Vision

A handheld, wireless device that helps shoppers buy the items that they want. A shopper has a list of items that they want. They are sold at different stores. The device keeps an up-to-date list of wanted items as the user shops.

Use Case -- Go Shopping

The shopper inputs a list of wanted items and the system displays stores where they can be found. The shopper goes from store to store looking for the products that match their list. They buy a product at the first store where they find it, mark it as bought and the system updates their list or items and stores.

Use Case -- Start Up

Etc.

. . . . . . . . . ( end of section Example of a Simple system) <<Contents | End>>

Questions on Use Cases

Start Work Project Inception