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Discussion on: Do You Create UML Diagrams For New Projects?

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John P. Rouillard

Depends on how complex it is. You mentioned use case but which other diagrams? Class/package? Timing/sequence?

Except in the simplest cases, I write an architecture/class breakdown
and class relationships document even if not formal UML. I have picked up issues where classes needed to be split, properties needed to be moved to a different class, or properties were missing for a use
case. Also, different class layouts may be better for different use
cases.

If you are using agile and user stories, a use case might not be
needed as you already have most of it in your agile user
stories. However, if you have multiple interacting actors the formalism
might be useful.

If UML diagrams are kept up to date, they can be good documentation for on-boarding new developers or maintenance. For larger organizations this is important. I am not great at reading UMLs, but I find diagrams easier to understand than thick books of architecture design.