Use Case


The use case is made up of a set of possible sequences of interactions between   systems and users in a particular environment and related to a particular goal. The use case can be thought of as a collection of possible scenarios related to a particular goal, indeed, the use case and goal are sometimes considered to be synonymous. Use cases represent the interfaces that a system makes visible to external entities and their interrelationships. It has following components

a) Use case name
b) Brief Description / Goal: what is to be achieved?
c) Flow of events for <name> use case
d) Preconditions: what the situation must be before the use case can take place
e) Main Flow: the basic successful flow of events
f) Sub Flow (if applicable): subordinate flows
g) Alternative flows: variations in business conditions
i) Trigger: the event that causes the use case to happen (usually by an actor)