What do use cases help define?

Use cases play a crucial role in defining specific scenarios for user interactions. They are a tool used in requirements gathering that allow business analysts and stakeholders to express the functionality of a system from the user's perspective. By outlining how users will interact with the system, including what actions they will take and the expected outcomes, use cases help clarify the various ways in which the system is intended to be used.

This focus on user interactions enables the identification of the functional requirements needed to support those interactions. By creating detailed use cases, it becomes easier to understand the various paths a user may take within the system, as well as the different conditions and exceptions that might occur. This clarity supports the development process by providing a clear blueprint for what needs to be built, which aligns with the goals of effective elicitation and requirements management.