Business Analyst Community & Resources | Modern Analyst

Interview Questions for Business Analysts and Systems Analysts

Recent Interview Questions | Search | Subscribe (RSS)

INTERVIEW QUESTION:

What is difference between an Essential Use Case and a System Use case?

Posted by MostafaElbarbary

// 43766 Views // 0 Additional Answers & Comments

Categories: Use Cases

ANSWER

“An essential use case is a structured narrative, expressed in

the language of the application domain and of users,

comprising a simplified, generalized, abstract, technology-free

and implementation independent description of one

task or interaction that is complete, meaningful, and well-defined

from the point of view of users in some role or roles

in relation to a system and that embodies the purpose or

intentions underlying the interaction” (Constantine and Lockwood (1999).

Said another way, an essential use case describes the interaction between the user and the system at a high level of abstraction. The goal of an essential use case is to convey the most important aspects of the user-system interaction by focusing on the user’s intent (avoiding any reference to an assumed UI design or technological implementation) and on the observable result of the system (without specifying the internal steps the system takes to achieve the result). Since an essential use case describes only the most important information it represents a single success scenario.

In contrast, a system use case describes the interaction between the user and system in a more detailed way than and essential use case. While still trying to avoid referencing any UI specific features when possible, usually certain aspects of the technology to be used can be assumed. For instance, when writing a system use case, it is usually known whether the user will interact with a telephonic system, an internet application, or a piece of manufacturing equipment. Similarly, system use cases provide more detailed description of the steps that the system will perform to fulfill the need of the user. In order to avoid committing to a specific UI design, this detail should still be expressed in logical terms. However, it paints a clearer picture of the requirements that the GUI must satisfy.

References:

Constantine, Larry L., and Lucy A. D. Lockwood. 1999. Software for Use: A Practical Guide to the Models and Methods of Usage-Centered Design. Addison-Wesley Professional.

RATE THIS TOPIC

12345

ADDITIONAL ANSWERS / COMMENTS

Only registered users may post comments.

Do your homework prior to the business analysis interview!

Having an idea of the type of questions you might be asked during a business analyst interview will not only give you confidence but it will also help you to formulate your thoughts and to be better prepared to answer the interview questions you might get during the interview for a business analyst position. Of course, just memorizing a list of business analyst interview questions will not make you a great business analyst but it might just help you get that next job.