A while ago I posted a response on the “boundary” of UseCases. Briefly, the square box (which is mostly ignored) in Use cases is critical in defining the Business UseCase and the Functional UseCase.. Lets use our favourite Library system to explain:
BUC-001:Business UseCase snippet reads like
1. this UseCase starts when the prospect asks for an application form
2. the Library gives the prospect an application form
3. the Prospect fills in the application form and gives it to the librarian
4. the Library approves, records the application details and issues a library card
5. the Prospect receives the library card
6. this UseCase end here
FUC-001.Functional UseCase snippet reads like (from BUC-001.4 above)
1. this UseCase starts with an approved application form
2. the Librarian enters the application form information into the system
3. the System records new member details and creates a library card
4. this UseCase end here
For the Business UseCase (BRD) the boundary is the Library and actor is Prospect. For the Functional UseCase (FRD) the boundary is the System and actor is Librarian. Note, The business process (not UseCase) could be stated as a swim lane diagram.
For the Business Aficionados and purists out there
The UseCases above are NOT requirements, they are merely behaviours governed by Declarative Business, Functional and Non-Functional Requirements like:
BRD-001: the library shall allow prospects to apply for membership (Note, the boundary is the Library)
BRD-002: the library shall issue a member with a valid library card.
FRD-001: the system shall record membership details (Note, the boundary is the system)
FRD-002: the system shall create a Library Card.
NFRD-001: the system shall store 100,000 members (Non-Functional requirements)
NFRD-002: the system shall create a library card in 8.3713 seconds (Non-Functional requirements)
Requirements Traceability Verification Matrix (RTVM)
The RTVM now defines the relationships amongst Declarative Requirements and UseCases. Eg. links the BRD -- to – BUC (identifying the UseCases that are associated with the Business Requirement); BRD – to – FRD (identifying the system functions that satisfy the business requirements). Otehr relationships Etc. Note, these relationships are NOT 1-to-1.
warm regards,
K