Foreword

When I first proposed a new set of modeling concepts back in 1967 as the result of my work on large telecommunication switching systems and system design, the idea of use cases as a method of analysis was very sketchy. With the emergence of object-oriented ideas and my subsequent work in applying OO in the 1980s and formalizing the principles underlying Objectory, use case analysis began to take better shape and to play a significant role in the analysis of the problem domain. Today the ideas embodied in use cases have matured, and this technique has become a significant tool that belongs in every analyst’s toolkit.

With the incorporation of use cases into the industry standard modeling language, UML, it is time for a new book that illustrates the current notation and semantics of use cases in a practical, easy-to-understand manner. Use case analysis also plays a central role in the new Unified Process for software development. It is, therefore, critical that managers, architects, designers, analysts, domain experts, programmers, and testers understand how to apply use cases.

In Applying Use Cases, Geri Schneider and Jason Winters have done an excellent job of introducing this powerful technique and demonstrating its application in real-world settings. Rather than making everything perfect up front, the examples progress in much the same manner you would find in a real project, with early rough models being refined as the team gains understanding of the project. This realism allows the introduction of issues that would arise in actual projects. Applying Use Cases is easy to read, but contains a wealth of detail.

This book clearly reflects Geri’s experience as a trainer for Rational Software, the time she has spent mentoring and training customers of Wyyzzk Training and Consulting, and the time Jason has spent using the techniques and mentoring engineers at Lucent Technologies. It is an excellent resource for anyone who needs to understand use case analysis, and I recommend it highly.

Ivar Jacobson