< Previous | Next >

Lesson 1.1: Create the UML project

In this lesson, you create a new UML project and become familiar with the use-case model template.

About this task

The use-case model describes the functional domain of the system and identifies the functions, operations, and tasks that are critical to the system. The use-case model, which is created during the requirements gathering and analysis phase, contains use-case diagrams that describe how users interact with the system.

IBM® Rational® UML modeling products provide a use-case model template. The use-case model template can help you create properly structured UML use-case models that are complete with documentation and navigation links. The template is created according to Rational UML model structure guidelines and contains notes that describe tips and best practices.

To create the UML project and use-case model:

Procedure

  1. In the Modeling perspective, click File > New > Project.
  2. In the New Project wizard, from the Wizards list, expand Modeling, select UML Project and click Next.
  3. In the Project name field, type PiggyBank and click Next.
  4. From the Categories list, select Requirements.
  5. From the Templates list, select Use Case Model.
  6. In the New UML Model wizard, accept the default file name and click Finish.

Results

You now have a new UML modeling project called PiggyBank. This project will contain all the models and data for the PiggyBank online banking system. You can explore the model structure in the Project Explorer view by expanding the model folders. You can double-click the diagrams in the Project Explorer view to view them in the diagram editor.

What to do next

Use-case model template

The use-case model template is structured according to the Rational UML model structure guidelines. The use-case model template organizes the model into internally cohesive, loosely coupled, functional groupings that can help you quickly create a complete, logical use-case model. Before you create your model, you should think about the system in terms of the functional tasks that it must perform, and organize the model according to these tasks. This organization can help you define the most important system goals. These functional tasks, often called functional areas, become the basis for the structure of your use-case model. For example, in the PiggyBank online banking system, the application must perform common banking operations such as displaying a balance and transferring money. The PiggyBank use-case model contains a functional area called Account Operations that contains the actors, relationships, and use cases that describe common banking operations.

The following table lists the packages that the use-case model template contains:

Package Description
«perspective» Overviews This package contains views and navigation links for the primary actors and use cases in the use-case model.
«ModelLibrary» Use-Case Building Blocks This package contains the basic functional area that you can use to organize your model. This package contains the Functional.area building block, and the use.case building block. Your building block package should contain all use cases that are associated with the functional area, as well as all actors and relationships that participate in the functional area.
Versatile Actors This package contains all the actors that participate in more than one functional area.

You can use the existing template structure and the accompanying documentation to guide you as you define your functional areas and organize them into a proper use-case model.

Create a functional area

To create the use-case diagram, you must first identify the functional area. Because all use cases are related to banking activities, the functional area is called Account Operations.

Procedure

  1. In the Project Explorer view, expand Use Case Model, expand «ModelLibrary» Use-Case Building Blocks, and drag the ${functional.area} package into the root level of the use-case model.
  2. Right-click ${functional.area}; then click Find/Replace.
  3. In the Find what field, type ${functional.area} and click Replace.
  4. In the Replace with field, type Account Operations and click Replace All.

Results

You now have a functional area. The functional area represents the most basic building block of the use-case model. You can now populate the functional area with use cases.
< Previous | Next >
Feedback