The Use Case Development Process
A systematic way to solve complex operational problems
The work of the All Hazards Consortium is done primarily through the activities of the Working Groups and Use Case Committees.
Below is an outline some of the problem solving components of the AHC:
1) Selection Criteria
2) The Use Case Process
3) Results Achieved
1) Selection Criteria for what issues/problems to address:
Not all issues or problems are pursued. All the potential issues or problems are passed through the private sector's selection process before being approved for further discussion:
A) Is it simple?
Can the problem be solved or some solution developed by the people within the working group? Issues that require new legislation, massive behavioral or culture change, unproven technology, or some long-term research or development process beyond one year will be tabled for later (place in the working group parking lot).
B) Will it bring about an operational benefit?
Will solutions to the problem bring about some operational results? People will not invest their time and resources over the long haul if real, tangible, functional solutions are developed, and operational results are not achieved. Since all of the AHC's working groups are comprised of volunteers, this is a fundamental requirement
C) If the issues or problem is undertaken, can some solutions and/or results be achieved within 90 days?
People need to see results quickly. Solutions are not results. Developing solution, however, will encourage stakeholders to stay involved and test the solutions within their
operational environments.
2) The Use Case Process
Using a six (6) process outlined below, the industry and government stakeholders in the working groups joint address operational problems.
Step #1 - Define the problem, in writing, with group consensus
Step #2 - Define the impacts of the problem, in writing, from every perspective possible, with group consensus
Step #3 - Define the people and decision makers who need to be engaged
Step #4 - Define and agree upon the information needed to address the problem
Step #5 - Agree upon the sensitivity level of any information involved (public, private, sensitive)
Step #6 - Identify existing or develop new solutions to address the problem
Solutions come in many forms:
If solutions will take longer than one year to develop, they are placed on a parking lot of use cases to be addressed in the future.
3) Results Achieved
Results come from operationalizing the solutions in real-world situations disasters, and crises with an operational impact being produced:
Examples of solutions developed by the AHC Working Groups and stakeholder community include:
1) Planning
2) Exercises
3) Standards
4) Events
5) Agreements
6) Grants
7) Initiatives
8) Information / Technologies
9) Partnerships
10) Training
11) Services
12) Apps
Below is an outline some of the problem solving components of the AHC:
1) Selection Criteria
2) The Use Case Process
3) Results Achieved
1) Selection Criteria for what issues/problems to address:
Not all issues or problems are pursued. All the potential issues or problems are passed through the private sector's selection process before being approved for further discussion:
A) Is it simple?
Can the problem be solved or some solution developed by the people within the working group? Issues that require new legislation, massive behavioral or culture change, unproven technology, or some long-term research or development process beyond one year will be tabled for later (place in the working group parking lot).
B) Will it bring about an operational benefit?
Will solutions to the problem bring about some operational results? People will not invest their time and resources over the long haul if real, tangible, functional solutions are developed, and operational results are not achieved. Since all of the AHC's working groups are comprised of volunteers, this is a fundamental requirement
C) If the issues or problem is undertaken, can some solutions and/or results be achieved within 90 days?
People need to see results quickly. Solutions are not results. Developing solution, however, will encourage stakeholders to stay involved and test the solutions within their
operational environments.
2) The Use Case Process
Using a six (6) process outlined below, the industry and government stakeholders in the working groups joint address operational problems.
Step #1 - Define the problem, in writing, with group consensus
Step #2 - Define the impacts of the problem, in writing, from every perspective possible, with group consensus
Step #3 - Define the people and decision makers who need to be engaged
Step #4 - Define and agree upon the information needed to address the problem
Step #5 - Agree upon the sensitivity level of any information involved (public, private, sensitive)
Step #6 - Identify existing or develop new solutions to address the problem
Solutions come in many forms:
- Meetings
- Datasets
- Partnerships
- Tools and resources
- Exercises
- Apps
- Websites
- Webinars
- Reports
- Research
- Etc...
If solutions will take longer than one year to develop, they are placed on a parking lot of use cases to be addressed in the future.
3) Results Achieved
Results come from operationalizing the solutions in real-world situations disasters, and crises with an operational impact being produced:
- Saving time by reducing delays
- Reducing costs
- Saving lives
- Reducing risks
- Streamlining existing processes
- De-conflicting policy
- Reducing complexities
- And more....
Examples of solutions developed by the AHC Working Groups and stakeholder community include:
1) Planning
2) Exercises
3) Standards
4) Events
5) Agreements
6) Grants
7) Initiatives
8) Information / Technologies
9) Partnerships
10) Training
11) Services
12) Apps