Use-Case NameBrief DescriptionState the role and purpose of the use case. A single paragraph should suffice for this description. System or SubSystemGive the name of the system or subsystem to which the use case applies. Flow of EventsBasic FlowThis use case starts when the actor does something. An actor always initiates use cases. The use case should describe what the actor does and what the system does in response. The use case should be phrased in the form of a dialogue between the actor and the system. The use case should describe what happens inside the system but not how or why. If information is exchanged, be specific about what is passed back and forth. For example, it is not very illuminating to say that the actor enters customer information ”it is better to say that the actor enters the customer's name and address. A glossary is often useful to keep the complexity of the use case manageable; you may want to define customer information there, to keep the use case from drowning in details. Simple alternatives may be presented within the text of the use case. If it takes only a few sentences to describe what happens when there is an alternative, do it directly within the flow-of-events section. If the alternative flows are more complex, use a separate section. For example, an alternative flow describes how to describe more complex alternatives. A picture is sometimes worth a thousand words, although there is no substitute for clean, clear prose . If doing so improves clarity, feel free to include graphical depictions of user interfaces, process flows, or other figures in the use case. If a technical method, such as an activity diagram, is useful to present a complex decision process, by all means use it. Similarly for state-dependent behavior, a state transition diagram often clarifies the behavior of a system better than do pages upon pages of text. Use the right presentation medium for your problem, but be wary of using terminology, notation, or figures that your audience may not understand. Remember that your purpose is to clarify, not to obscure. Alternative Flows
Alternative flows may, in turn , be broken down into subsections.
Special RequirementsThese are typically nonfunctional requirements that are specific to a use case but are not easily or naturally specified in the text of the use case's event flow. Examples of special requirements include legal and regulatory requirements, application standards, and quality attributes of the system to be built, including usability, reliability, performance, and supportability requirements. Other requirements, such as operating systems and environments, compatibility requirements, and design constraints, should also be captured in this section.
Pre-conditionsA pre-condition of a use case is the state of the system that must be present prior to a use case being performed.
Post-conditionsA post-condition of a use case is a list of possible states the system can be in immediately after a use case has finished.
Extension PointsExtension points are named markers that reference a location or set of locations within the flow of events of the use case, at which additional behavior can be inserted.
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