Pre-Condition is another Use Case

[ryanc]

If I have a use case where it's pre-conditions (constraint) is another few use cases.  Is there a way these are typically linked?  Or would you just retype the name of the use cases within the constraint tab of your use case elements properties?

Thanks,
Ryan

[Kevin Brennan]

You would just enter it as a constraint ("Use Case X has been successfully executed").

The use cases should not be linked on the Use Case Diagram, although if they belong to a single process, you might consider creating an activity diagram to show the linkage.

[ryanc]

Kevin,

That was my guess.  I was just retyping in the use case names in the constraint tab so that others will know a given use case is dependant on another being performed first.  I was thinking there would maybe be a way to setup the constraints to show this so when the documentation was created you could trace the order of flow.  

However, you're idea of simply creating an activity diagram to show the flow of use cases is a good idea.

Thanks,
Ryan

[thomaskilian]

Ryan,
the "flow of use cases" is commonly known as business process model. So you should consider Eriksson-Penker.

[ryanc]

yes!  I forgot you could do that with EA.  Thanks much!