Use Case Modeling

Chapter 6. The Life Cycle of a Use Case

So far, we have seen the basic concepts behind the use-case modeling approach to eliciting and capturing software requirements and looked at how to get started in applying them. Before we look at the mechanics of authoring full use-case descriptions, we need to have a better understanding of the life cycle of a use case and how well-formed, good quality use cases can drive and facilitate the other, downstream software development activities. We also need to put what we have learned into a broader perspective with regard to software development and team working.

Use cases have a complex life cycle—they undergo a series of transformations as they mature through a number of development stages, from discovery ...