Lecture 31: Use Case Modelling - Capturing Functional Requirements from a User's Perspective - 3 | Object-Oriented Analysis and Design - Core UML Diagrams | Software Engineering Micro Specialization
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3 - Lecture 31: Use Case Modelling - Capturing Functional Requirements from a User's Perspective

Practice

Interactive Audio Lesson

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Introduction to Use Case Modelling

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, we'll discuss Use Case Modelling. Let’s start with a definition: Use Case Modelling captures functional requirements from the user's perspective, focusing on what a system does rather than how it does it.

Student 1
Student 1

Why is it important to focus on users and not just the system itself?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! By focusing on user interactions, we ensure that the requirements are relevant and understandable for stakeholders. This user-centric approach helps in validating the requirements effectively.

Student 2
Student 2

How does it facilitate communication?

Teacher
Teacher

Use Case Modelling serves as a common language between users, clients, and developers, bridging gaps in understanding about system functionality.

Student 3
Student 3

So, does it help in designing other models as well?

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! Use Cases are foundational; they guide the creation of other models like Class and Sequence Diagrams.

Teacher
Teacher

In summary, Use Case Modelling captures what the system does through a user-centric lens, promotes better understanding, and drives the creation of additional models.

Key Elements of a Use Case Model

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Teacher
Teacher

Now let’s dive into the key elements of a Use Case Model: actors, use cases, the system boundary, and their relationships. Who can tell me what an Actor is?

Student 3
Student 3

Isn't it anyone who interacts with the system?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! An Actor represents any external entity that interacts with the system. They initiate use cases or receive outputs. Can you name some types of actors?

Student 4
Student 4

There are primary, supporting, and passive actors?

Teacher
Teacher

Spot on! A Primary Actor initiates a use case, while Supporting Actors provide services to the system. Passive Actors receive benefits from the system. Next is the Use Case itself – what do we know about it?

Student 1
Student 1

Use Cases describe sequences of actions yielding observable results.

Teacher
Teacher

You got it! And they should be goal-oriented. Now, what about the System Boundary?

Student 2
Student 2

It's the rectangle that defines the scope of the system, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Now let’s recap: we identified Actors, Use Cases, the System Boundary, and their roles in connecting the system with its users.

Use Case Diagrams and Specifications

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Teacher
Teacher

Let’s talk about Use Case Diagrams. What do they provide?

Student 1
Student 1

A graphical overview of actors, use cases, and their relationships?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Use Case Diagrams summarize system functionality and illustrate interactions visually. Why are they useful?

Student 4
Student 4

They make it easier to understand complex systems at a glance.

Teacher
Teacher

Right! Now, moving on to Use Case Specifications, who can explain their importance?

Student 2
Student 2

They detail the sequence of events and conditions, providing clarity.

Teacher
Teacher

Well said! Essential elements here include Use Case Name, Actors, Preconditions, and Normal Flow. Let’s think of an example for 'Place Order.'

Student 3
Student 3

Like having to be logged in and having items in the cart before placing an order?

Teacher
Teacher

Precisely! These details ensure a complete and meaningful description. Let's summarize: Use Case Diagrams provide a visual overview, while Specifications provide detailed narratives.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section introduces Use Case Modelling as a technique for capturing functional requirements from the user's perspective, facilitating better communication among stakeholders.

Standard

In this section, Use Case Modelling is presented as a powerful tool for articulating functional requirements by focusing on external actors' interactions with the system. It highlights essential components like Actors, Use Cases, and system boundaries, thereby providing a framework for visualizing system functionality and enhancing stakeholder communication.

Detailed

Detailed Overview of Use Case Modelling

Introduction

Use Case Modelling plays a pivotal role in object-oriented analysis, designed to capture functional requirements from an external user's viewpoint. By defining what a system does and illustrating how users interact with it, this technique fosters clarity and facilitates dialogue between stakeholders, ensuring requirements are easily understandable and verifiable.

Key Elements of a Use Case Model

  1. Actor: Represents an external entity that interacts with the system. Actors can be human users, other systems, or devices, and are categorized as primary, supporting, passive, or time-based.
  2. Use Case: Defines a sequence of actions yielding a result of value, described from the actor’s perspective. Use cases are goal-oriented and use a naming convention of strong verbs followed by noun phrases.
  3. System Boundary: Illustrated by a rectangle, it encases all use cases, delineating what is included within the system.
  4. Relationships: Associations illustrate interactions between actors and use cases, represented by lines indicating communication.

Use Case Diagrams

A graphical snapshot summarizing actors, use cases, and their relationships within the defined system boundary, contributing to an overarching understanding of the system’s functional scope.

Use Case Specifications

These are detailed textual descriptions that elaborate on the use case, presenting the normal and alternative flows of events, preconditions, and postconditions, enhancing the clarity of functional requirements. Each use case specification serves as a guide to understand the system dynamics and user interactions better.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Use Case Modelling: A technique to capture functional requirements from the user's viewpoint.

  • Actors: External entities interacting with the system.

  • Use Case: Describes how actors achieve goals with the system.

  • System Boundary: Defines the scope of the system under consideration.

  • Use Case Diagram: Visual representation of actors and their interactions with use cases.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • An online shopping system where 'Customer' is an actor initiating the use case 'Place Order'.

  • In a library management system, 'Librarian' as an actor can manage books and patrons through various use cases.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎡 Rhymes Time

  • Actors act, Use Cases chase, within the boundary’s embrace.

πŸ“– Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a library where every visitor (actor) uses a catalog (use case) to find a book β€” the library’s walls (system boundary) keep them focused on stories without distractions.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • A.U.S. = Actor, Use Case, System Boundary.

🎯 Super Acronyms

UML = Understanding Models Legibly.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Actor

    Definition:

    An external entity that interacts with the system, initiating use cases or receiving value from the system.

  • Term: Use Case

    Definition:

    A sequence of actions yielding an observable result of value to a particular actor, describing system functionality.

  • Term: System Boundary

    Definition:

    A rectangle representing the scope of the system, with use cases enclosed and actors outside.

  • Term: Use Case Diagram

    Definition:

    A graphical representation showing actors, use cases, and their relationships within the system boundary.

  • Term: Use Case Specification

    Definition:

    A detailed textual description of a use case, outlining the sequence of events, conditions, and flows.