Drawing an action diagram, particularly one derived from a use case as described in the reference, involves a structured process that maps out activities, participants, and the flow between them. This type of diagram visually represents the steps taken to complete a specific task or process, often showing who performs which action.
Based on the provided reference, here are the key steps involved in drawing such an action diagram:
Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing an Action Diagram
Creating an effective action diagram requires careful analysis of the process you intend to illustrate. By following these steps, you can build a clear and informative visual representation.
Step 1: Define the Action Steps
The first critical step is to figure out the action steps from the use case. This involves breaking down the overall process or scenario described in a use case into individual, discrete actions. Think about what happens from start to finish.
- What to look for: Identify the main actions or activities performed within the use case. These should be specific and represent a single unit of work.
- Example: For a "Place Online Order" use case, steps might include "Add Item to Cart," "View Cart," "Enter Shipping Information," "Process Payment," "Confirm Order."
Step 2: Identify the Involved Actors
Next, identify the actors who are involved. Actors are the entities (people, systems, or even other processes) that interact with the system or participate in the actions defined in Step 1.
- What to look for: Determine who performs each action step identified. An actor can be the primary user, an external system, or any other participant.
- Example: In the "Place Online Order" example, actors might be the "Customer" and the "Payment Gateway System."
Step 3: Map the Flow
Once you have the steps and the actors, find a flow among the activities. This involves determining the sequence in which the action steps occur. You need to show how one step leads to the next, including any decision points or parallel activities.
- What to look for: Establish the connections between steps. Use arrows to indicate the direction of flow. Consider alternative paths, loops, or conditions that might affect the sequence.
- Diagram Elements: This step often involves using symbols like action nodes (rectangles with rounded corners), initial/final nodes (circles), decision nodes (diamonds), and flow lines (arrows).
Step 4: Add Swimlanes
Finally, add swimlanes. Swimlanes (also known as partitions) are visual containers that group related activities, usually by the actor or department responsible for performing them. They run horizontally or vertically across the diagram.
- What they do: Swimlanes clearly illustrate which actor or system is responsible for which set of actions, making the diagram easier to understand and analyzing handoffs between participants.
- How to use them: Draw parallel lines to create distinct columns or rows. Label each lane with the name of an actor identified in Step 2. Place the action steps (from Step 1 & 3) within the swimlane corresponding to the actor who performs that step.
Here's a summary of the steps:
| Step | Action | Purpose | Key Elements Involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Define Action Steps | Break down use case into individual actions. | Identify the fundamental activities of the process. | Action/Activity descriptions. |
| 2. Identify Actors | Determine who performs each action. | Pinpoint the participants involved in the process. | Actors (Users, Systems, etc.). |
| 3. Map Flow | Connect steps to show sequence. | Illustrate the order and logic of the process execution. | Flow lines, Decision points, Nodes. |
| 4. Add Swimlanes | Group actions by actor responsibility. | Clarify roles and responsibilities; visualize handoffs. | Partitions labeled with Actor names. |
By following these four steps derived from the reference, you can effectively draw an action diagram that provides a clear visual representation of a process or use case flow, highlighting both the sequence of actions and the roles of the involved actors.
