Use Cases
Purpose & Objectives
Why are you doing this? What are you aiming for?
Use Cases describe the interaction between an actor and the system. Usually both, standard procedures and error procedures are described. These interactions can help to create the final implementation of a function.
Data Sources
Where do you find the knowledge or input needed to do it?
The data can derive from contextual inquiries and its methods like surveys, interviews and observation. Use Cases can also be extended from user stories and personas.
Procedure
How do you do it? Which techniques or tools do you use?
Based on the data you should be able to describe these elements:
- title
- summary – short (abstract) description (e.g. User starts printing process)
- involved Actor(s)
- trigger (if any)
- preconditions
- standard procedure
- alternative and/or error prodecure
- results, effect
Outcomes / Results
What do you get once you have done it?
A use case table with all the elements mentioned above or a use case diagram that visually represents how certain tasks and functions are connected. This can serve as a starting point when implementing functions to the system.
