← VCE Software Development U3O2

Use case diagram: use cases and associations

A goal an actor achieves with the system. It is drawn as an oval named with a verb phrase (e.g. Borrow Book) and joined to its actor by an association line.

Part of: VCE Software Development - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 48

Understanding Use case diagram: use cases and associations in VCE Software Development U3O2

What it does: Reset Password starts with a verb and describes a goal, which is the correct way to name a use case oval. Use cases are ovals placed inside the system boundary. Actors are the stick figures and sit outside it. A use case shows what an actor wants to achieve, not how the code works inside. An association line is a plain solid line linking an actor to a use case. Labelled data flows belong in data flow diagrams, not use case diagrams.

Common mistakes: A use case must be named with a verb phrase that states a goal. 'Book Loan' is a noun phrase. It should be 'Borrow Book'. A use case is drawn as an oval, not a rectangle. The line should be 'Oval: Place Order'.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 42–51) and word search (Modules 26–51).

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Learning
Duo
How is a use case drawn in a use case diagram?
As a stick figure outside the system boundaryAs an oval inside the system boundary
Matches
(Password)
↓
The use case is named with a noun only. It should use a verb phrase that states a goal, such as Reset Password.
Applying
Meanings
Term
use case
Meaning
A goal an actor achieves with the system. It is drawn as an oval named with a verb phrase (e.g. Borrow Book) and joined to its actor by an association line.
Practice
actor Student
Testing
Gaps
Use case shape:
Check Answer
Spots
2System: Library System
3Oval: Book Loan

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Quick Questions

1. How is a use case drawn in a use case diagram?
A. As a stick figure outside the system boundary
B. As an oval inside the system boundary ✓
Use cases are ovals placed inside the system boundary. Actors are the stick figures and sit outside it.
2. Which is the better name for a use case in a library system?
A. Borrow Book ✓
B. Book Borrowing Database
A use case is a goal, so it is named with a verb phrase such as Borrow Book. A noun phrase like a database describes a thing, not a goal.
3. What does a use case represent?
A. A goal an actor achieves with the system ✓
B. A step-by-step list of the code the system runs
A use case shows what an actor wants to achieve, not how the code works inside.
4. What joins an actor to a use case?
A. An association line ✓
B. A dashed arrow labelled with data
An association line is a plain solid line linking an actor to a use case. Labelled data flows belong in data flow diagrams, not use case diagrams.
5. Which use case name follows the naming convention?
A. Fine
B. Pay Fine ✓
Start the name with a verb so the goal is clear. Pay Fine tells you what the actor is doing.

Match the Pairs

(Borrow Book) oval → A use case: a goal the actor achieves with the system, drawn as an oval and named with a verb phrase
Student ——— (Check Timetable) → An association line joining the Student actor to the Check Timetable use case
A use case should be named with a verb first, so it describes an action the actor wants to do → (Reset Password)
Each use case oval is connected to the actor who achieves that goal by an association line → Customer ——— (Place Order)
(Password) → The use case is named with a noun only. It should use a verb phrase that states a goal, such as Reset Password.
Teacher (Enter Marks) → There is no association line between the actor and the use case. A line must join Teacher to Enter Marks.

Key Term

use case
A goal an actor achieves with the system. It is drawn as an oval named with a verb phrase (e.g. Borrow Book) and joined to its actor by an association line.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Actor shape: stick figure Use case shape: oval
Hint: Type the shape that a use case is drawn as.
2. Member --- (Borrow Book)
Hint: Type the plain line that joins the actor to the use case.
3. Use case name = verb + noun Example: Borrow Book
Hint: Type the word type that must start a use case name.
4. Actor: Member Use case: Borrow Book Association: Member --- Borrow Book
Hint: Type the name for the line that links an actor to a use case.
5. A use case is a goal an actor achieves Example: Return Book
Hint: Type what a use case represents for the actor using the system.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Actor: Member
B System: Library System
C Oval: Book Loan
D Member --- Borrow Book
Line C — A use case must be named with a verb phrase that states a goal. 'Book Loan' is a noun phrase. It should be 'Borrow Book'.
Question 2
A Actor: Customer
B Box: Place Order
C Customer --- Place Order
Line B — A use case is drawn as an oval, not a rectangle. The line should be 'Oval: Place Order'.
Question 3
A Actor: Teacher
B Oval: Roll Marking
C Teacher --- Mark Roll
Line B — 'Roll Marking' is a noun phrase, so it does not show the goal as an action. Name the use case with a verb first: 'Mark Roll'.
Question 4
A Oval: Student
B Oval: Submit Assignment
C Student --- Submit Assignment
Line A — A student is an actor, not a use case. Actors are drawn as stick figures, and only goals go in ovals. The line should be 'Actor: Student'.
Question 5
A Actor: Patient
B Oval: Book Appointment
C Patient Book Appointment
Line C — An actor must be joined to its use case by an association line. Without the line the actor is not connected to the goal. It should be 'Patient --- Book Appointment'.

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