How to Identify Business Actors?

In creating use case and use case diagrams, actors are identified first. Why? Because by focusing on the actors, you can concentrate on how the system will be used and not how it will be built. Focusing on the actors helps to refine and further define the scope and boundaries of the system.

So, where do you look for potential actors? The following references are excellent sources:

• Your context diagram that identifies the scope and boundaries of the system.
• Existing forms and reports and other documents. 

When you are deciding for your actors, you might want to ask yourselves the following questions:

• Who or what provides inputs to the system?
• Who or what receives outputs from the system?
• Are interfaces required to other systems?
• Are there any events that are automatically triggered at a predetermined time?
• Who will maintain information in the system?

Reference:
System Analysis and Design for the Global Enterprise
by: Bentley and Whitten 

Use Case Diagram Example: King’s Thread Distributor (KTD)

The King’s Thread Distributor (KTD) is a private owned general merchandising company whose main business is to sell Philippine-made thread products to textile
companies and general merchandising stores located in the National Capital Region, Northern Luzon and Southern Luzon. Being a general merchandising company, they also distribute other materials such as tailoring and school supplies. The company negotiates with several product suppliers in order to produce and deliver products to their patron customers.

You are a systems analyst that was asked by the company to develop a system that would enable KTD Company to keep track of the transactions of the company. The system would be accessible for three specified parties: the KTD Company, the suppliers and the customers. You are done with the problem investigation and your Ishikawa Diagram and DFDs have been approved by the management. You are now ready to proceed to the designing of your proposed system.

Below is the initial documentation that you made:

Ktd Specs

You are now ready to work with your programmers and thus, will now start to draw the Use Case Diagram.

You have until Sunday this week to try answering this example. Kindly upload all of your answers in the Yahoo Groups, inside the folder assigned to your class. Answer will be uploaded by Thursday.

Reference:
Hong, A., Solis, C., Tabirao, E., Tan, M: Purchase and Information System