Use-case approaches have grown steadily in popularity among analysts and solution developers. They facilitate the development of a common understanding of a need based on the user’s perspective. This article gives an elaborate definition of the concept itself, suggests how to clearly structure use case scenarios and presents a concrete example of a use-case-centred marketplace.

A use case is a short, narrative-based description (e.g. a text) of how a user might benefit from a certain solution (e.g. a product or service) in a specific environment. The focus of use-case work is on the question: “How can the solution provide a certain value to the user or fulfil specific goals?” In other words, solutions are found based on a problem scenario – from the use case to the solution.

What makes a Good Use Case Scenario?

In order for the users to better orientate themselves within a use case, it makes sense to stick to a simple, yet effective structure:

First of all, try to formulate a teaser and a short summary giving an overview of the main problem users might be facing in a certain situation. This way, readers will get an approximate idea of the scenario, which allows them to decide if the use case fits their situation and might lead to the optimum solution.

Before describing concrete models or product solutions for a given use case scenario, give an elaborate description of the overall situation as well as the concrete problem. Try to factor in all potential scenarios and facts that come into mind.

After describing the use case as such and presenting the core types and models that can be used to solve the problem elaborated in the respective use case, define your target group(s). Be as precise as possible and make use of the categorisations ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’, this will help you to keep an overview. Furthermore, keep in mind that it is crucial to think about the target groups in advance since the whole scenario (and as a consequence also the solutions deriving from it) should be built around the individual needs of the identified target group(s).

If you still need to add information or questions that might be of interest for the target group, insert a Questions & Answer section or a paragraph that names interesting facts related to the use case scenario.

Finally, don’t forget to add synonyms in order for the target audience to find similar cases or solutions as well as external links to facilitate the internet search for your users.

Product Finder and Advisor

Besides the scenarios, models and target groups, each use case scenario is connected to certain solutions (e.g. products) that can easily be found via product finder (also called advisor). This feature helps the target audience to find a suitable product. Large icons are placed to help answer the questions. Therefore, also people that have problems with viewing or understanding the questions can use the advisor.

Advantage and Best Practices

The biggest advantage of using a use-case-centred approach is that the potential target group can easily search for solutions based on a problem scenario they are facing. Finding suitable products in order to solve a certain problem is therefore much easier than the other way around (the conventional way of searching for a product without defining a scenario or problem first).

Find below an example that successfully implemented a use-case-centred marketplace based on the above-mentioned principles. The PHArA-ON project presents more than 30 concrete use case scenarios (CATAALOG) to support older adults in finding fitting solutions for their individual needs, every single one of them following a clear structure and thus providing the optimum overview for the target group.