Reframing Use Cases

So, you think you know Use Cases?

For over 30 years, the term ‘Use Case’ has become commonplace for anyone describing systems and solutions. Only some of those people are using it to refer to the formal, structured approach to requirements introduced by Ivar Jacobson in 1987 and subsequently popularized by many luminaries of the software development world including Alistair Cockburn in his bestselling 2000 book ‘Writing Effective Use Cases’.

Over the intervening years, people have taken the Use Case idea and used it, evolved it, changed it and abused it. So much so that for many, the simplicity and beauty of the original idea has been lost.

And yet, the problems we face today, and the systems we are developing today are just as suited to a Use Case approach.
For this reason, Ivar and Alistair, in collaboration with many other use case experts, have been leading a resurgence of interest in Use Cases. They have gone back to basics and identified a common ground – Use Case Foundation – that described the core unifying features of Use Cases. This basis is a foundation that can then be used in many different ways depending on the needs of the situation, the preferences of the practitioner or the context of the team.

In this informative and interesting session, Alistair and Ivar will present the Use Case Foundation, show you how it can be used, and explain the follow-on work that is happening both to create extensions to the Use Case Foundation and to integrate it with other practices. And in the spirit of the collaboration that has led to this point, they will invite you into the conversation and the discussion.

Don't miss this invaluable opportunity to explore the historical significance, practical synergies, and real-world applications of use cases in the ever-evolving software engineering domain. Join us in this enlightening discussion as we uncover why "Use Cases are Essential" in a world of ever-changing software paradigms.

About Dr Ivar Jacobson: Ivar is nicknamed “a Father in Software Engineering” as his contributions span over 50 years, in particular as a founder of Use Cases. He was as late as 2023 awarded the Lifetime Achievement award by World Agility Forum.

About Dr Alistair Cockburn (pronounced CO-BURN): Alistair organized the historic meeting in Snowbird, Utah, in which he and 16 other people from around the world wrote the Agile Manifesto. He was named as one of the “42 Greatest Software Professionals of All Times”.