The Problem
How do you diagram a complicated software program so that everyone involved in building it can understand the user requirements? We outlined a complex web and device driven app for the Google Glass platform in Unified Modeling Language (UML).
My Role
UML Sequence and Class Diagram designer, Design Scenarios and Use Case writer
Research Process
We began with research into the medical device field and Google Glass. We envisioned a system that might monitor a patient’s biometric data and provide alerts for the patient and physician about conditions such as heart problems or seizures.
We then identified stakeholders and a feature backlog. Next we assembled some brief use cases, a use case diagram and one detailed use case.
Domain Model Diagram Process
We then created a domain model diagram. I was primarily responsible for the layout and design of the images. My teammates helped to align the diagrams with object-oriented principles. We created a use case realization with a design scenario, a class responsibility table, sequence diagrams and a design class diagram.
Lessons Learned
- Really, though, what is OOP? Diagramming a complex system like this really helped me take the first steps toward understanding object-oriented programming. I still have a way to go, but I will remember this process as a major “aha” moment.
- Everyone loves diagrams. UML provides a strong visual language for documenting the processes behind a complex system.