A use case in software engineering is a document that describes a proposed software solution and how it will be used. It is an invaluable tool for understanding exactly how users will interact with the system, and for ensuring the development team produces a system that meets user expectations.
A use case outlines the course of interactions between a user, or actor, and a system, detailing what the user can do, how the system will respond, and any potential alternative paths. Each use case is a sequence of actions that a user can take, leading to an outcome. This outcome should align with the business requirements for the system being developed.
Use cases describe functional requirements, or the features the system needs to have, in addition to nonfunctional requirements, or the qualities of the system like scalability, performance and maintainability.
A use case must be thorough, yet concise. They are an excellent tool for guiding the development process so that features are not missed or misunderstood, while also avoiding excessive haggling over details or too-specific designs. Ultimately, a well-crafted use case document will enable developers, stakeholders and end-users to maintain a shared understanding of what is being developed.