Use case modelling and scenarios

[Jeff Jenkins]

When using the structured specification for a Base flow in a use case how do you specify a decision where the flow may branch to a different location in the main base flow?  For example I may have a loop in the flow and want to return to an earlier point in the flow.  I don't want to do this with an alternate flow.

Also is there a way to do flow branching and merging in the base flow?

[Ian Mitchell]

Not that I know of.
I'd just add a trivial Alternate, which rejoins the main flow at the appropriate place.
If my UCs are getting complicated, then the Structured Scenario Editor runs out of steam, and I then move to expressing the UC as a diagram, with descriptions for each activity, rather than as pure text. This then allows the full branch/merge ideas, but loses the easy readability of text.
..but you can always print-out the activities for those who don't like diagrams.

[Jeff Jenkins]

Many thanks, the structured specification feature isn't of much use for any thing other than very simple use cases then I guess. I don't like the diagrams it generates either as the decision branches get very generic names and you end up having to mess around with the use case steps just to get the diagram to look vaguely decent.

Ah well, I guess I was expecting too much...

Thanks again.