A Use Case technique appears deceptively simple to apply. A Use Case diagram is easy to create and easy to read. Use Case documents are written in natural language, and a good Use Case template ensures key aspects of the functional requirements are not missed. For assistance creating a Use Case document, employ the Info-Tech Advisor “Use Case Template.”
Six Common Pitfalls
There are common pitfalls that must be avoided to ensure the benefits of the Use Case approach are realized. For more on Use Case benefits, refer to the Info-Tech Advisor research note, “Use Cases: The Primer.”
- Not asking “why.” The Use Case technique helps ensure all the “what” questions are answered. Use Cases are an organization and documentation technique for functional requirements. A Use Case diagram identifies the “actors” that interact with the system and “what” tasks they expect to accomplish within the system. A Use Case document outlines “what” actor-system interaction is required to fulfill the task.
