Working with scenarios

Scenarios are multiple versions of a single model that you can run one after another. Scenario items modify an existing parameter in the model, such as:

• a product cost
• distribution center availability
• production capabilities

You can use scenarios to change one or more values in your model tables or options. Each scenario can be run with the design engines, such as Network Optimization or Simulation. Output can be examined scenario-by-scenario as well, enabling you to compare the results of the changes you have made.

Additionally, scenarios support changes based on minimum, maximum and step sizes for value intervals. In this way, you can perform sensitivity analysis of one or more variables in your model.

By default, each model has a scenario called “Baseline”. This scenario will always be in each model. However, you can rename it with a user-defined name (see Scenarios). The baseline scenario cannot be copied or deleted.

When using the Rapid Network Explorer for Network Optimization, you use regular scenarios as the base data for analysis. You then create rapid solve scenarios that target changes in specific target columns such as Quantity in Customer Demand. In a Rapid Solve, the rapid scenario is applied to the base scenario data to reduce the solve time and allow for more efficient analysis. See Rapid Network Explorer and Create rapid scenarios for additional information.

Create a scenario

1. Select Scenarios.

2. Click New Scenario.

3. Edit the scenario name as required. Keep the following naming recommendations in mind:

   • Do not include word such as "and" and "or" in the scenario name. These words can cause issues when filtering for scenario name (no records are returned). This is because "and" and "or" are reserved words for filter definitions. If you do include these words, you can enclose the scenario name in quotes in the filter definition (such as ='East and Central').

   • If you plan to run multiple scenarios through the Technology Actions in App Studio, do not include commas in the scenario name. The comma is used to separate multiple scenario names and will cause the run to fail or be ignored.

4. Add existing scenario items to the Selected Items list or create new scenario items as described in Creating scenario items.

5. Optionally, select the arrow at the right of the scenario item name (available or selected) to edit the item.

6. Optionally add Scenario Notes to describe the scenario.

   Do not include tab, linefeed or carriage return characters in Scenario Notes. For example, do not break the note text into multiple paragraphs. If these characters are in any scenario definition or other table records in the model, cloud solving will fail.

7. When you close the scenario definition, click Save Changes.

You create one or more scenario items, then add any combination of them to each scenario. To learn more, refer to:

• Creating scenario items
• Scenario actions

Create rapid solve scenarios

You create rapid solve scenarios the same way you create regular scenarios. The list of scenario items for a rapid solve scenario is limited to those that are defined with RNE eligible columns.

The rapid solve scenario is flagged internally as "Rapid" and is not available for selection in features where it does not apply, such as for NO-IO Conversion.

1. Select Rapid Solve Scenarios.

2. Click New Scenario.

3. Edit the scenario name as required. Keep the following naming recommendations in mind:

   • Do not include word such as "and" and "or" in the scenario name. These words can cause issues when filtering for scenario name (no records are returned). This is because "and" and "or" are reserved words for filter definitions. If you do include these words, you can enclose the scenario name in quotes in the filter definition (such as ='East and Central').

   • If you plan to run multiple scenarios through the Technology Actions in App Studio, do not include commas in the scenario name. The comma is used to separate multiple scenario names and will cause the run to fail or be ignored.

4. Add existing rapid scenario items to the Selected Items list or create new scenario items as described in Creating scenario items.

5. Optionally add Scenario Notes to describe the scenario.

6. When you close the scenario definition, click Save Changes.