CRC cards—standing for Class, Responsibilities, and Collaborators—are a lightweight, collaborative tool in object‑oriented design. They help teams decide what a class should know, what it should do, and which other classes it works with.
Structure of CRC Cards
Each CRC card is typically divided into three simple sections:
Class Name
The entity or concept being modeled.
Responsibilities
The duties or knowledge the class holds.
Collaborators
Other classes that assist in fulfilling the responsibilities.
Creating CRC Cards
Identify Classes
Determine the main entities in your system.
Assign Responsibilities
Define what each class knows and does.
Determine Collaborators
Identify which classes work together.
Benefits of Using CRC Cards
Enhanced Collaboration
Facilitates team discussions and builds a shared understanding.
Simplified Design
Breaks down complex systems into manageable parts.
Flexibility
Easy to adjust designs during development.
Conclusion
For Agile and Scrum learners, CRC cards offer a hands‑on way to grasp object‑oriented concepts and improve team communication—bridging theory and real‑world application.
