Business Cases, Business and System Use Cases

 

The Case for a Business Case

Business cases have the potential to produce remarkable outcomes. Without a business case, an idea remains stagnant and intangible, floating aimlessly. While we appreciate the successes that stem from business cases, such as the latest Apple product or a convenient bypass, it is not a task that many enjoy. However, it is crucial in bringing ideas to fruition.

In a world where budgets are a concern and results are the priority, it is no longer sufficient to only fulfill your promises. It is now essential to ensure that your proposals justify the investment of time and resources required to bring them to fruition.

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Clarity and creativity are hallmarks of our business cases.  They are easily understood and unambiguous.  Each of our business cases contain, at the very least, the following.

 

  • The initial issue or circumstance that prompted the consideration of the project
  • The justification for the necessity of the project
  • Potential changes in the situation that may render the project unnecessary
  • An assessment of various options considered and the chosen option
  • An evaluation of the potential outcomes if no action is taken, also known as the “do nothing” option
  • Anticipated results and advantages, along with their value to the organization
  • The expected timeline for the delivery of benefits
  • The methods used by the project team to determine the realization of benefits
  • Any unavoidable negative effects, with a valid explanation for their acceptability
  • Expenses and funding arrangements
  • The associated risks and their impact on the business case.

The purpose of the business case is to validate the necessity of the project or program. It must effectively showcase the worth of the tasks being executed and the outcomes being produced. The business case is developed in the concept phase of the project’s lifespan and serves to evaluate the feasibility of proceeding with the project.

Our business cases tell a narrative, specifically highlighting the advantages of the concept. They provide a framework for understanding the impact a project or program will have on the organization.

 

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Successful Business Use Cases and System Use Cases

Business use cases and system use cases each have their place for developing effective solutions.  Use cases outline interactions between systems, while real-world scenarios depict how users engage with these systems in practical situations. Both are essential for effective problem-solving and solution development.

In practical applications, the differences between business and system use cases can lead to distinct outcomes. For instance, a business use case might detail the process of entering a customer order without specifying the technology used. This scenario might identify gaps in user and business needs, leading to “missing” functionality once the product is in production.  A system use case would describe how the system automates this process, specifying each step and interaction with the system, which helps in identifying potential technical issues during development.

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Two Types of Use Cases, Two Different Purposes

The key characteristic of a business use case is that it focuses on describing the business process from an organizational perspective, without delving into technical details or specific system implementations. It outlines what needs to happen from a business standpoint, rather than how it will be accomplished technically. This makes business use cases valuable for analyzing and improving business processes, as well as for communicating requirements between business stakeholders and technical teams.

The key characteristic of a system use case is that it is a detailed narrative that describes how a system interacts with external actors to achieve specific goals. These use cases provide a clear and structured way to understand the system’s functionalities and the processes involved in achieving the desired outcomes. They are crucial for developers and stakeholders to visualize and implement the system effectively.

 

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Use Case Services

Chances are that if you have come to this page, you are likely aware of what goes into a use case–by any other name a business case, business use case or system use case.  If not, and this is new to you, we have put it into one of the following sections.  What we felt was important  here, however, was to tell you how our use cases are different because that is what defines them.

How Our Use Cases Are Different

Critical thought, one of the hallmarks of our work, is foundational to our use cases.  Without dots connected logically, there is no use case. 

Use case value is to be found in its description and analysis of a scenario so that it is of tangible value, reasonable, relevant, and resilient. The main success scenario is shown, as are alternative flows and exception cases.

What-If scenarios are used to enhance the decision-making process by presenting options in the context of potential issues and recovery ability.  Our use cases are both predictive and proactive.

Testability  means that our use cases can be transformed into test cases, which is crucial in rapidly changing business environments.

Integrated System and Business Use Cases can be successfully merged into an impactful use case.

 

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UML Diagrams are a fundamental part of our use cases, and ours clearly and concisely provide a visual representation of the case.  Ours are constructed according to UML design requirements.  The diagrams we use are not limited by type but defined by the project scope.  In addition to use case diagrams, we might include diagrams such as:

 

  • Sequence Diagrams
  • Class Diagrams
  • Acticity Diagrams
  • State Diagrams
  • Communication Diagrams
  • Component Diagrams

We might also use tools such as mind or story mapping.  What we use depends on the case.

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Use Case Essentials

Business Use Cases

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System Use Cases

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Either type of use case typically consists of the following components:

  • Title, which is a concise and descriptive name for the use case.
  • Actors, referring to the individuals or entities interacting with the system.
  • Description, giving a brief overview of the events that take place within the use case.
  • Preconditions, indicating the necessary conditions for the execution of the use case.
  • Main Flow, outlining the step-by-step sequence of events during normal execution.
  • Alternate Flows, encompassing any deviations from the main flow, such as error handling or exception scenarios.
  • Postconditions, specifying the system’s state after the completion of the use case.
  • Related Use Cases, identifying any other use cases that are associated with or triggered by this use case.

By incorporating these elements into the use case description, business analysts can effectively communicate the requirements to stakeholders and development teams, ensuring a clear understanding of how the system should operate in different situations.

Are Use Cases Still Relevant?

In the context of 2024’s business environment, use cases provide a structured approach to understanding user needs, system requirements, and potential outcomes. This makes them valuable tools for strategic decision-making, especially when dealing with technological innovations, changing market dynamics, and evolving customer expectations. By leveraging use cases, business leaders can make more informed decisions that align with both user needs and organizational goals.

Use cases remain highly relevant as decision-making tools for businesses, particularly in the context of strategic planning and complex environments. 

 

 

 

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