Use Cases

Term from Consulting industry explained for recruiters

Use Cases are detailed stories that describe how a customer or user would interact with a product, service, or system. Think of them as step-by-step scenarios that help businesses understand exactly what their customers need. Similar to how a movie script shows how actors should behave in each scene, Use Cases show how users will interact with a solution. Consultants create these to help clients visualize and plan new products or improve existing services. You might also see them called "User Scenarios," "Customer Journeys," or "Business Scenarios."

Examples in Resumes

Developed 15 Use Cases to guide the redesign of a banking customer service platform

Led workshops to create Use Cases and Business Scenarios for retail client's mobile app

Documented User Cases and Customer Scenarios to support healthcare system implementation

Typical job title: "Business Analysts"

Also try searching for:

Business Consultant Requirements Analyst Process Consultant Solutions Consultant Business Systems Analyst Management Consultant Digital Transformation Consultant

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you handle stakeholders who have conflicting requirements when creating Use Cases?

Expected Answer: A strong answer should discuss techniques for stakeholder management, prioritization methods, and ways to find compromises while keeping the end-user's needs in focus. Should mention experience facilitating workshops and negotiations between different departments.

Q: Describe a situation where your Use Cases led to significant business improvements.

Expected Answer: Should provide specific examples of how their Use Cases identified problems, led to solutions, and resulted in measurable business benefits like cost savings or improved customer satisfaction.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you ensure your Use Cases capture all necessary business requirements?

Expected Answer: Should explain their process for gathering information from stakeholders, conducting interviews, and validating requirements. Should mention techniques for documentation and review processes.

Q: What elements do you include in a well-written Use Case?

Expected Answer: Should discuss including user roles, clear objectives, step-by-step scenarios, business rules, and expected outcomes. Should mention how they make Use Cases understandable for both business and technical teams.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the difference between a Use Case and a User Story?

Expected Answer: Should explain that Use Cases are detailed scenarios describing user interactions with a system, while User Stories are shorter, simpler descriptions of features from the user's perspective.

Q: How do you gather information to create a Use Case?

Expected Answer: Should mention conducting user interviews, observing current processes, reviewing existing documentation, and working with subject matter experts to understand requirements.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic documentation writing
  • Stakeholder interviewing
  • Process mapping
  • Requirements gathering

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Workshop facilitation
  • Complex process analysis
  • Stakeholder management
  • Solution design input

Senior (5+ years)

  • Strategic analysis
  • Enterprise-level planning
  • Team leadership
  • Project scoping and estimation

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Unable to explain complex ideas in simple terms
  • Lack of experience working directly with business stakeholders
  • Poor documentation skills
  • No experience with requirements gathering techniques
  • Inability to demonstrate analytical thinking