UML Use Case Diagram Tutorial with Examples

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The UML tutorial use case diagram is one of the UML diagrams that helps in emphasizing the important processes and flow of your project. Through this diagram, your readers and user will be able to understand the details of each processes and their function or work.

Moving on, the use case diagram can summarize the details of your system’s targeted users or also known as actors. Their interactions with the system in the Unified Modeling Language (UML).

What is the meaning of a USE CASE DIAGRAM?

It shows how a user would interact with your system boundary. Use case diagrams show the system’s use cases and users, and are often augmented by other diagrams. DFD, ERD, and others support UML use case ideas.

Know the BASIC COMPONENT of the USE CASES:

Before we draw a use case diagram both the GENERAL and the SPECIFIC, we must know and understand first its components. The components used in building our UML USE CASE DIAGRAMS ARE:
• the Use Cases – the use case are the ellipses or circle symbols. This symbol will illustrate the processes included in the system. It could also show the sub process from the main processes.
• the Actors – the actors are the users of the system. it could be single, dual or multiple depending on the scope of the system. the symbol of the actor are in a form of an icon showing a stick figures. It will help the readers as well as the users know their roles to the system.
• the System – the system comes with a rectangular container symbol. It holds all the processes included in the system and acts as the scope illustration.
• the Lines or Arrows – are the indication or connection to which will the process be connected.

How to create a USE CASE DIAGRAM?

To design a use case diagram, you must know its symbols and their function. Your use case must show the flow of your system, including scenarios, applications, and user interaction.

You also have to make sure that the requirements of a system project is well-explained and are met in the use case.
Use case diagrams UML are useful for:
• Representing the objectives of user-system interactions
• Defining and structuring a system’s functional requirements
• Defining a system’s context and needs
• The basic flow of events in a use case is modeled.

Here’s a video on Use Case Diagrams to help with your Capstone Project.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgpla8wX6OY&ab_channel=itsourcecode

Now, let us start creating an example of a use case diagram UML. The first part in creating the use case is known as General Use Case Diagram and here are the illustrations:

Examples of Use Case Diagram as UML Sample

Time needed: 5 minutes

Here are the example of USE CASE DIAGRAMS that serves as samples for UML DIAGRAMS.

  1. Example of Use Case Diagram with Single User


    Example of Use Case Diagram with One User
    This diagram represents a single General base Use Case. As you can see, the required form is based on user-related processes. The number of main processes varies by project.

  2. Example of Use Case Diagram with Dual Users

    Example of Use Case Diagram UML for Multiple User
    Here’s a dual-user UML Use Case sample. As you can see, certain processes are tied to one actor or user, but others are not. So, only a certain user can alter or use the processes. So he can’t use it.

    Example of the system that uses this USE CASE DIAGRAM are System that has client side and admin side system just like e-commerce websites and reservations management systems.

  3. Another Example of Use Case Diagram with Dual Users

    Another example of Use Case Diagram UML

    Here’s another UML USE CASE with two linked users. This shows that both users can use the other processes. Log-in System, ATM System, and other systems requiring admin and client side security are appropriate examples.

  4. Example of Use Case Diagram with Dual Users

    Example of General Use Case Diagram with Multiple Users

    Here’s your last 4 user General Use Case Diagram. Your ACTORS and use case can be as numerous as needed if they match your project’s users. It must suit system demands.

After creating general use cases, let’s construct specific ones. These are the UML Use Case Diagram sub processes for the generic use case. The sub processes’ “include>>” and “extend>>” arrows indicate if they’re needed or optional.

Example of Specific Use Case Diagrams:

Example of a Use Case Diagram using Include and Extend
Example of a Use Case Diagram using Include and Extend Relationship

Figure shows a Specific Use Case. Breaking down the primary process into its sub – processes determines its components or include use cases activities. Users and readers will know the system’s key functions and expected behaviors.

This time, I will give you an example of include and extending use case. It will be your guide you you create your own use case diagram for you project.

EXAMPLE of USE CASE DIAGRAM UML using EXTEND and INCLUDE

Use Case Diagram UML Example

Our example for main process is the MANAGING and SECURING of RECORDS and its possible sub process were the validation of data, saving of data and modifying of data.

Conclusion

The reason why you should create the UML Use Case Diagram is not only to have a designed blueprint for the software, but also to understand fully the work and core functions of the proposed system. So you need to learn the meaning and understand the symbols through the given example of use case.

There is a list of examples below that you can download and use on your own. Just take a look.

Inquiries

Now, I have a question for you. what did you learn from the conversation? Do you know what you want to do for your project?

If you have thoughts or questions about our UML Use Case discussion, do not hesitate to comment it down. That will mean so much for me. Thank you so much and have a good day.

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