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Use Case Testing

Use Case Testing is a test case design technique that validates end-to-end user interactions with the system based on use cases, ensuring the system supports real user goals and workflows.

Use case testing answers: “Can the user complete their intended task successfully?”

1. Definition

Use Case Testing is a test case design technique that validates end-to-end user interactions with the system based on use cases, ensuring the system supports real user goals and workflows.

Use case testing answers: “Can the user complete their intended task successfully?”

2. Purpose of Use Case Testing

  • Validate complete user workflows
  • Ensure business scenarios are supported
  • Identify gaps between requirements and implementation
  • Improve real-world test coverage

3. What Is a Use Case

A use case describes:

  • Actor (user/system)
  • Goal
  • Preconditions
  • Main (happy) flow
  • Alternate flows
  • Exception flows

4. Manual Tester’s Role

  • Understand user goals and business context
  • Identify primary and alternate flows
  • Design test cases for each flow
  • Validate system behavior end-to-end

5. Steps to Design Use Case Test Cases

  1. Identify actors
  2. Identify use cases
  3. Define main flow
  4. Identify alternate and exception flows
  5. Create test cases for each flow

6. Real-Time Example

Use Case: Place an Order

  • Actor: Customer
  • Main flow: Browse → Add to cart → Checkout → Payment → Confirmation
  • Alternate flow: Payment failure
  • Exception flow: Out-of-stock item

7. Use Case Testing vs Functional Testing

Aspect Use Case Testing Functional Testing
Focus User workflows Individual features
Coverage End-to-end Feature-level
Perspective User-centric System-centric

8. Common Defects Found

  • Broken user workflows
  • Missing alternate flows
  • Inconsistent system behavior
  • Poor error handling

9. Common Mistakes

  • Testing only happy paths
  • Ignoring alternate and exception flows
  • Not validating end-to-end data flow

10. Interview-Ready Answers

Short answer:

Use case testing validates system behavior by testing complete user workflows based on use cases.

Detailed answer:

Use case testing ensures that real user interactions and goals are fully supported by validating main, alternate, and exception flows.

11. Key Takeaway

Use Case Testing ensures the application supports real user behavior, not just isolated features.