Use Case Block
Document use cases with actors, preconditions, main flow steps, alternative flows, postconditions, and exception handling.
The Use Case block documents system interactions from an actor's perspective. It captures the complete flow including preconditions, step-by-step main flow, alternative paths, expected outcomes, and exception handling.
When to Use
Block Properties
| Property | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Use Case ID | No | Unique identifier (e.g., UC-001) |
| Name | Yes | Descriptive title |
| Actor | No | Primary user or system initiating the use case |
| Description | No | Brief overview of the use case |
| Preconditions | No | Conditions that must be true before execution |
| Main Flow | No | Numbered sequence of steps in the primary scenario |
| Alternative Flows | No | Variations from the main flow |
| Postconditions | No | System state after successful completion |
| Exceptions | No | Error conditions and handling |
| Priority | No | Critical, High, Medium, Low |
| Status | No | Proposed, Approved, In Development, Implemented, Deprecated |
| Related Use Cases | No | Links to dependent or related use cases |
| Notes | No | Additional context or constraints |
Use Case Status
Example: Customer-Facing Use Case
A typical e-commerce checkout use case.
Example: Administrative Use Case
A back-office administration use case.
Example: System Integration Use Case
A use case involving external system interaction.
Best Practices
| Practice | Description |
|---|---|
| Actor Perspective | Write from the actor's perspective using active voice |
| Atomic Steps | Keep main flow steps atomic and sequential |
| Alternative Paths | Document all realistic alternative paths |
| Error Handling | Include error handling for each potential failure |
| Related Links | Link related use cases for complete coverage |
| Consistent Naming | Use consistent naming for actors across use cases |
| Measurable Conditions | Specify measurable preconditions and postconditions |
| Stakeholder Review | Review with stakeholders before marking as approved |