What does 'post-condition' signify in a use case?

In the context of use cases, a 'post-condition' signifies the state that must be achieved following the successful execution of that use case. This means that once the use case has completed, certain conditions or results should exist to indicate that the use case has been executed successfully and that the objectives outlined within the use case have been met. For instance, if the use case pertains to processing a purchase order, a post-condition might state that the order has been confirmed and a notification has been sent to the customer.

Understanding post-conditions is crucial, as they define the expected outcomes of processes and help ensure that all necessary actions have occurred, establishing a clear framework for validation and testing. This results framework allows stakeholders to assess whether the business requirements have been fulfilled and serves as a basis for acceptance criteria in the development phase.