Understanding Use Case Models

Use Case Modeling is a technique for handling the functional requirements in a software development project. The Use Case Model can serve as a means of communication between the different stakeholders in a project. It is used in planning the project and is updated and used during the project. In order to reduce the possibilities for misunderstandings and differences in understanding, it would be useful to be able to evaluate to what extent the different stakeholders have understood the model and also to detect differences in interpretation. Low comprehension or differences in interpretation may indicate a need for more effort on specifying the requirements. If this is not feasible, it may be necessary to assume a higher risk when planning and estimating the project. We propose using knowledge on how humans understand text from cognitive psychology in the design of an experiment with a twofold goal: Investigate methods for measuring comprehension of Use Case Models and analyze the differences in understanding.