Diagramming and process are important topics in today's software development world, as the UML diagramming language has come to be almost universally accepted. Yet process is necessary; by themselves, diagrams are of little use. Use Case Driven Object Modeling with UML - Theory and Practice combines the notation of UML with a lightweight but effective process - the ICONIX process - for designing and developing software systems. ICONIX has developed a growing following over the years. Sitting between the free-for-all of Extreme Programming and overly rigid processes such as RUP, ICONIX offers just enough structure to be successful.

This book describes how to apply ICONIX Process (a minimal, use case-driven modeling process) in an agile software project. It's full of practical advice for avoiding common agile pitfalls. Further, the book defines a core agile subset so those of you who want to get agile need not spend years learning to do it. Instead, you can simply read this book and apply the core subset of techniques.

The book follows a real-life .NET/C# project from inception and UML modeling, to working code through several iterations. You can then go on-line to compare the finished product with the initial set of use cases.

The book also introduces several extensions to the core ICONIX Process, including combining Test-Driven Development (TDD) with up-front design to maximize both approaches (with examples using Java and JUnit). And the book incorporates persona analysis to drive the projects goals and reduce requirements churn.

This volume about Extreme Programming provides a thorough and systematic analysis of XP practices and separates the agile from the fragile. It also distinguishes useful XP techniques (e.g. use of automated unit testing tools) from questionable ones (e.g. oral documentation).

Use Case Driven Object Modeling with UML: Theory and Practice shows how to drive an object-oriented software design from use case all the way through coding and testing, based on the minimalist, UML-based ICONIX process. In addition to a comprehensive explanation of the foundations of the approach, the book makes extensive use of examples and provides exercises at the back of each chapter. This book leads by example. It demonstrates common analysis and design errors, shows how to detect and fix them, and suggests how to avoid making the same errors in the future. The book also encourages you to examine its UML examples and to search for specific errors. You'll get clues, then later receive the answers during review sessions toward the end of the book.