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New Post 3/11/2008 3:52 AM
User is offline kr_BA
34 posts
9th Level Poster


Functional requirements and use cases? 

Can anybody explain me precisely what is the relation b/w use cases & functional requirements?

(when we talk about requirement analysis.)

 

 
New Post 3/11/2008 5:51 AM
User is offline VN
34 posts
9th Level Poster




Re: Functional requirements and use cases? 

 

 

Hi kumarrohit,

The use cases describe typical interactions between the users of the system and the system itself. They provide a narrative of how the system is used and each use case focuses on a common user goal. Examples from the famous ATM use case are: "get cash", "get balance".

The functional requirements describe the system's functionality like:
·          The system should grant access to the user after he provides username and password;
·          The system should provide access to the following pre-defined reports…. Followed by the list of reports;
·          Etc.
Often they are listed under different project specific groups like user access, reporting, user interface, etc.

 

When you look at the above examples for use cases and functional requirements it is easy to see that the use case of "get balance" corresponds to the functionality "The system should provide access to pre-defined reports… “These are the similarities.

The difference is in the way the information is presented. The use cases describe what should happen for example when the user enters the wrong username and password, while the functional requirement may only state that the “system should grant access to the user after he provides username and password.” In addition, the use cases are backed up by activity, sequence, state, etc. UML diagrams. This use case model might be also published on the intranet, via the tool used to create the diagrams, and might be further linked to the logical and physical database models.

There could be variations depending on the standards established at the place you work, the specific project at hand, and the familiarity of the project team with use cases and UML.

 

Let me know if this helps,

Vessela

 
New Post 3/11/2008 1:17 PM
User is offline Adrian M.
764 posts
3rd Level Poster




Re: Functional requirements and use cases? 

Hi Kumar,

I agree with Vessela!  Use Cases are another way to document functional requirements.  I would like to point out a couple of things that you should be aware of related to this topic:

  • In many organizations, the requirements are first documented as a list of "... the system shall ..." type statements and then the functional ones are also documented using use cases.  This is can be a waste of effort and a source of confusion.  Ideally, there should be only one documented source of requirements not multiple or else you need to worry about keeping them in synch.  You also run the risk that the requirements as documented in the requirements list vs. use case are different (or can be interpreted in different ways). 
  • Most use case specification templates I have seen do not deal with non-functional requirements so keep that in mind when deciding to use one method of the other.
  • So you have two main choices: use a requirements list for both functional and non-functional requirements OR utilize use cases for document the functional requirements supplemented with a "Non-functional Requirements" document.

- Adrian


Adrian Marchis
Business Analyst Community Blog - Post your thoughts!
 
New Post 3/11/2008 9:42 PM
User is offline kr_BA
34 posts
9th Level Poster


Re: Functional requirements and use cases? 

Hi Vessela & Adrian,

First of all, thanks for your suggestions.

Somewhat I expected these answers but just to confirm that my understanding regarding functional requirements

and use cases are aligned or not. Few days ago I was asked this questions in an interview for the position of

"Business Analyst". I think now my confusion is clarified.

Regards,

Kumar Rohit

 
New Post 11/15/2009 8:43 PM
User is offline k0tz
1 posts
No Ranking


Re: Functional requirements and use cases?  
Modified By k0tz  on 11/15/2009 11:44:45 PM)

very nice explanation

 
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