Generating UML Sequence Diagrams from Use Case Maps: A Model Transformation Approach

Use case map (UCM) is a modeling language designed to bridge the gap between requirements and high-level design artifacts. UCM graphical models describe functional requirements as scenarios using a structure of components. UCM specifies multiple scenarios abstractly in a single integrated view that facilitates understanding of the system-to-be and the early detection of inconsistent scenarios. However, once requirements have been expressed as scenarios, unified modeling language (UML) sequence diagrams are suitable for developing and presenting the details of interactions and help in the transition to a more formal level of refinement. Typically, system analysts are responsible for this transition, and they usually perform it manually, which makes subsequent design models prone to mistakes. As a result, system analysts may design an application that does not accurately realize the behavior specified in UCMs. There is therefore a need to develop a technique to transform UCM models to UML design artifacts. UML sequence diagrams are one of the most popular UML artifacts for dynamic modeling. In this paper, we present a model transformation approach from UCM notation to a UML sequence diagram to facilitate the transition from requirements to high-level design artifacts. We also present an application of the proposed model transformation to an elevator control system.