What is a Use Case in the context of business analysis?

A Use Case serves as a critical tool in business analysis by providing a structured way to specify how users will interact with a system to accomplish a specific goal or task. It encapsulates the user's requirements and clarifies the functionality of the system from the user's perspective.

By detailing the various interactions a user may have with the system, Use Cases help define the scope and boundaries of the system, as well as elucidate the objectives that will be achieved through these interactions. This aids stakeholders in understanding user needs and assists the development team in designing features that align with those needs. Furthermore, a well-defined Use Case includes not just the main flow of events but also alternative paths and exceptions, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the user experience.

This clear representation of user interactions serves as a communication bridge among stakeholders and validates requirements, ultimately leading to a more user-centered design approach in projects. Hence, in business analysis, Use Cases are invaluable for ensuring that the system meets the actual needs of its users.