use case

A deliverable that explains and examines how a user interacts with a system to accomplish a specific goal.

Key Points

  • Focuses on an actor (user or external system) pursuing a clear objective.
  • Captures steps of interaction, including main and alternate flows.
  • Often lists preconditions, triggers, and expected outcomes (postconditions).
  • Helps align requirements, design, testing, and acceptance criteria.

Example

An online banking project documents a use case called "Transfer Funds." It identifies the actor (account holder), preconditions (user is authenticated), main flow (select accounts, enter amount, confirm), alternate flows (insufficient funds, invalid account), and postconditions (transaction recorded, balances updated).

PMP Example Question

Which artifact should the team create to map the step-by-step interactions a customer follows to complete an online return, including alternate paths and conditions?

  1. User story
  2. Use case
  3. Wireframe
  4. Product roadmap

Correct Answer: B — Use case

Explanation: A use case details how an actor interacts with the system to achieve a goal, including main and alternate flows, conditions, and outcomes.

Project Management with AI: From Initiation to Closing

Build a practical project management process from initiation to closing with our Project Management: From Initiation to Closing with AI course. Learn how to move from informal project coordination to a structured, repeatable approach using PMBOK-aligned workflows, real examples, and professional templates.

This hands-on course follows a complete project lifecycle. You will learn how to write a project charter, define scope, build a work breakdown structure, develop a schedule, estimate costs, manage risks, engage stakeholders, execute the work, monitor performance, and close the project properly.

You will also learn how to use AI tools to accelerate project management work. The course includes reusable prompts, downloadable templates, assignments, and worked examples that show how project documents connect from one stage to the next.

The course is designed for professionals, team leads, coordinators, analysts, and new project managers who need practical skills they can apply at work. Enroll now and build the confidence to manage projects with structure, clarity, and control.

Explore the Course


Become an AI-First Agile Leader!

HK School of Management empowers you to master AI as your most powerful co-pilot—without the complexity. Transform your agile leadership with practical, prompt-based workflows and proven strategies designed for real-world scrum challenges. For the price of lunch, you get the tools to automate mundane tasks, refine backlogs with precision, and drive unprecedented efficiency in your team. Backed by our 30-day money-back guarantee—zero risk, real impact.

Learn More