A Configurable UML Based Use Case Modeling Metamodel

There is a variety of approaches to use case modeling, especially regarding their textual description as their true form. Under certain circumstances, the use of each one of these approaches may be justified. A consistent application of a particular approach requires the existence of its metamodel. It appears that use case modeling notations are close enough to each other to allow for constructing a common, configurable use case modeling metamodel. Such a metamodel is proposed in this paper. It is based on the UML metamodel elements relevant to use case adapted and extended to cover different use case modeling notations with a special attention given to the elements of use case description. The configuration options of the proposed use case modeling metamodel are identified and the actual values for Jacobson's and Cockburn's notation presented and discussed. The metamodel is evaluated by a configurable use case modeling tool prototype.