Writing a Use Case
E.Barker@intrallect.com
Use Case Summary
• Consider the scenario which was written previously
• Consider who the primary actor is
– (the person or system that wishes to perform an action)
• Write a one sentence overview of the use case
– What the primary actor wishes to achieve
Example: A research project wants to create a
multimedia online resource based on a
Shakespearian performance. All contributors must
have digital rights acknowledged when material is
reused and reuse must be limited to educational
purposes.
How to write a use case
• Capture a summary use case
– An overview in a sentence
• Identify actors and their goals
– Actors can be people, systems, organisations
– Stakeholders and their interests
• Write success scenario as steps
– Should be based on real example if possible
• Define exceptions to each step
Example
• Use Case Summary: A research project wants to
create a multimedia online resource based on a
Shakespearian performance.
• Primary and other Actors (and their goals)
• Research Project (primary)
– To create a high quality learning resource which can be
used by others
• User
– To access materials for educational use
• Repository
– To facilitate access within an educational context
Stakeholders
• Stakeholders and their aims
• Photographer (rights holder) – To protect
rights for his/her work
• Project Funders – To ensure resource is
disseminated to educational users.
Main Success Scenario
•
•
Sentences should be in sequential order
Each sentence should have an actor performing
an action
Example
1. Research project obtains permission from rights
holder for re-use of material under clearly
stipulated conditions (i.e for educational use).
2. Research project digitises photograph and adds
relevant metadata including rights statement.
3. Research project deposits collection and metadata
within digital repository.
4. The repository automatically propagates metadata
to other catalogues within educational context…..
Extensions
• Extensions are alternative routes within a
scenario
• Start with condition under which extension occurs
then explain steps
• Note: Extensions can result in success or failure.
1a Rights holder demands more stringent restrictions
1a1 Use Athens authentication (s)
1b Rights holder stipulates end date after which
agreement must be reviewed
1b1 Metadata element flags up termination of
agreement date ………….
Notes
• Pg 4 and pg 5 of book has useful examples
• Glossary pg 253 is also useful
• Note that there are also elements such as
precondition, minimal guarantee and
success guarantee which may be useful.
• The extensions can lead to new use cases