System Testing Using Use Cases for an ER Simulation Model

Published

July 29, 2009

Author(s)

Guodong Shao

Abstract

Modeling and simulation (M&S) techniques are increasingly being used to solve problems and aid decision making in many different fields. It is particularly useful for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) applications because of its feature of non-destructive and non-invasive method of observing a system. Results of simulations are expected to provide reliable information for decision makers, but potential errors may be introduced in the M&S development lifecycle. It is critical to make sure to build the right model and the model is built right. System testing is an effective methodology to help to ensure that the functionality of a software system. It can also be applied to M&S applications. Use cases are usually used to specify requirements of a simulation system. The collection of use cases can cover the complete functionality of the simulation system and provide information necessary to generate test cases for system testing. Since use cases are associated with the front end of the M&S development lifecycle, testing can get started much earlier in the lifecycle, allowing simulation developers to identify and fix defects that would be very costly if found in the later stages. This paper identified the needs of system testing using specification for M&S applications for DHS applications and provided a novel approach of Verification, Validation and Testing (VV&T) for DHS M&S community, as an example application, a hospital emergency room (ER) simulation model was introduced. Use cases for the ER model were developed. Functional system test requirements and testing criteria of the ER model were discussed. Based on the coverage criteria, activity diagrams associated with the use case are created to capture scenarios and allow the specification of use case to be tested.

Proceedings Title

Proceedings of the North-American Simulation Technology Conference (NASTEC 09)

Conference Dates

August 26-28, 2009

Conference Location

Atlanta, GA

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

Modeling and Simulation (M&S), System Testing, Use Case

Citation

Shao, G. (2009), System Testing Using Use Cases for an ER Simulation Model, Proceedings of the North-American Simulation Technology Conference (NASTEC 09), Atlanta, GA, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=903325 (Accessed December 26, 2024)