The Communication Studio

Patterns

Capturing the common “interaction pattern” in a Behavioral Use Case ensures consistency across all applications and reduces redundant documentation.

The Use Case Guideline ensures that similar information is presented consistently and eases redundant documentation.

A visual interface is based on visual patterns.

Allen Cooper

The Best Practices“standards” document captures the bottom-line operational attributes of the system from a UI perspective.  Much of this behavior can be described as “patterns” that recur again and again.

UxP is in a unique position to identify interaction patterns

Behavioral Use Case Patterns

Here are some of the use case interaction patterns that we see regularly throughout our sites:

Behavioral Use Case
Basic Pattern

Search by Criteria

Example: Search
  1. Choose search criteria
  2. Run the search
  3. Display the results
  4. Select a record

Select from a List

Similar to Search, but without search tool

  1. Display the List
  2. Select a Record

Run a Report

  1. Choose report (Uses Search by Criteria)
  2. Choose parameters
  3. Set display/output format
  4. Run a report
  5. Display Results

Edit a Form

Example: Edit
  1. Fill in the blanks
  2. Save (check validation)
  • Reset
  • Cancel

System-generated Message

  • Alert
  • Notification
  • Error
  • Confirmation
The Behavioral Use Case simplifies design

By identifying and capturing the commonly recurring “patterns” we can reduce the workload, increase effectiveness and ensure consistency.

Such a Behavioral Use Case (BUC) is “global” in the sense that it is re-used throughout the site. 

Laboriously redefining the Behavioral Use Case again and again is inefficient and inconsistent: the BUC should be defined as a unique Use Case.  Once this has been done it can be easily referenced when appropriate.

Describe a commonly used pattern as a guideline by writing a use case for that particular workflow “pattern” of interaction.  The Behavioral Use Case Guideline demonstrates the “best practices” for writing a use case for a similar pattern of interaction. 

The use case guideline that describes a pattern of behavior should always

  • use consistent terminology
  • identify specific, relevant information
  • describe process in a predictable order