7.2 Requirements Validation

• 7.2 Requirements Validation: Using the Project Dashboard to Track Description Completeness and Test Case Coverage

Even with detailed use case specifications, polished diagrams, validated decision logic, and a rich set of generated test cases, the final safeguard before moving to implementation or release is requirements validation — confirming that:

• Every intended requirement is fully described and unambiguous
• All critical flows, alternatives, exceptions, and business rules are covered by at least one test case
• No significant gaps exist between what stakeholders expect and what the models/test suite actually verify
• Traceability is intact from high-level goals → detailed specifications → design artifacts → test cases

Visual Paradigm’s AI-Powered Use Case Modeling Studio provides a centralized Project Dashboard (often accessible via the main toolbar or “Quality & Traceability” tab) that serves as the single pane of glass for this validation. The dashboard aggregates key metrics and visualizations, automatically updated as you refine models, specifications, or test cases. Typical sections include:

• Use Case Completeness
  • Percentage of use cases with fully written specifications (main + alt + exception flows)
  • Count of use cases missing preconditions, postconditions, or extension points
  • Flag for use cases with only happy-path coverage (no alternatives/exceptions)
• Test Case Coverage
  • Overall coverage percentage (test cases vs. use case steps / decision table rules)
  • Breakdown by coverage type: happy path, alternative flows, exception flows, boundary conditions
  • Heatmap or list showing uncovered decision table rules, flows, or scenarios
• Traceability Matrix
  • Interactive table linking: Goal → Use Case → Specification Section → Diagram Element → Test Case ID
  • Highlight gaps (e.g., a postcondition with no corresponding test)
• Risk & Priority View
  • High-risk use cases (critical business value, complex logic, regulatory impact) with low test coverage
  • Progress bars for test readiness per use case or module
• Completeness Score
  • Weighted composite score (e.g., 92%) based on specification completeness + test coverage + traceability

You access the dashboard at any time during the project — especially useful after major refinements (e.g., after adding new exception flows or decision rules) — to quickly spot weak areas and prioritize remaining work.

Practical Examples

Example 1: GourmetReserve – Dining Reservation System

Dashboard Snapshot After Initial Test Generation:

• Use Case Completeness: 87% → 12/15 use cases have full main + alternative + exception flows → “Handle Waitlist” and “Manage Reservations by Staff” flagged as incomplete (missing exception flows for concurrent modifications)
• Test Case Coverage: 78% → Happy path: 95% covered → Alternative flows: 82% → Exception flows: 61% (several payment failure sub-cases missing) → Uncovered: Decision Table Rules R5 (payment fail – insufficient funds) and R7 (party ≥12 – pending approval)
• High-Risk Items:
  • UC-001 Book a Table: Coverage 84% → Critical (core revenue flow)
  • UC-006 Process Payment: Coverage 68% → High risk (financial transaction)

Action taken:

• Generated missing tests for payment failure sub-scenarios
• Added exception flow to “Handle Waitlist” (waitlist full → notify diner) → coverage jumped to 89%

Example 2: SecureATM – Withdraw Cash

Dashboard Warning:

• Completeness Score: 81%
• Red flag: “Authenticate User” (included use case) has only 2 test cases, but is reused in 7 customer-initiated use cases
• Traceability gap: Postcondition “Transaction logged for fraud monitoring” has no corresponding test verifying log entry

Resolution:

• AI suggested and user accepted 3 additional tests for authentication edge cases (PIN retry limit, card block after 3 fails, session timeout)
• New test TC-ATM-009 added: Verify fraud log entry after failed high-value biometric → coverage for Authenticate User rose to 94%

Example 3: CorpLearn – Take Final Assessment

Dashboard Metrics:

• Coverage by Type:
  • Happy path (pass ≥80%): 100%
  • Fail scenarios: 92%
  • Compliance exceptions (privacy question fail, acknowledgments missing): 55%
• Uncovered Rules (from decision table):
  • Rule 2: Privacy question incorrect → auto-fail (no certificate)
  • Rule 4: Time expired during submission → auto-submit logic

Outcome:

• Generated two targeted tests: TC-LRN-006 – Privacy violation auto-fail TC-LRN-007 – Time-out during assessment → auto-submit & partial score
• After addition → compliance coverage reached 98%, overall completeness score 94%

Best Practices for Using the Project Dashboard Effectively

• Check dashboard after every major refinement (new flows, decision rules, test cases) — it updates in real time.
• Use the traceability filter to drill into any low-coverage area (e.g., click an uncovered rule → jump to related test cases or specification text).
• Share dashboard screenshots or live view during stakeholder reviews — provides objective evidence of quality progress.
• Set threshold alerts (if supported): e.g., email notification when overall coverage drops below 85% or critical use cases fall below 90%.
• Treat dashboard metrics as living indicators — aim for 90–95%+ before baselining for development handoff.

By regularly using the Project Dashboard for requirements validation, you maintain a clear, quantifiable picture of how complete and well-tested the system definition really is. This final layer of oversight ensures that when development begins, the team is not just building fast — they are building the right thing, with confidence backed by comprehensive coverage and traceability. With validation complete, the use case-driven lifecycle has delivered a high-fidelity, low-risk foundation ready for implementation.