# Creating Scenarios

## How to Create a Scenario

From the homepage, click **+** or **Create Scenario**. Also accessible via the top-right button in Main Org.

### Step 1: Choose a Scenario Type

**Partial Org** *(recommended)* - Scoped to a specific manager's org or a filtered subset. Faster performance, easier to navigate. Best for department reorgs, focused planning, and most day-to-day use.

* **Select by Manager** - Pick a manager; their full reporting hierarchy is included
* **Filter Selection** - Apply Department/Location filters and preview included positions before confirming
* **Tip:** Enable "Manager Filtering" to include the reporting chain above your selection for added context

**Full Org** - Your entire accessible org chart. Use for company-wide reorgs and cross-functional planning. Note: performance may be slower with large orgs (5,000+ employees).

**New Org (blank)** - An empty canvas to build from scratch. Use for new department creation, greenfield design, or zero-based planning.

### Step 2: Name It

Use the pattern: **\[Area] \[Purpose] \[Time Period]**

(Best Practice) ✅ "Engineering Q2 2026 Reorg" · "Commercial NA Budget Cut 10%" · "Product Team Q3 Growth - Option A"

(Not recommended) ❌ "New Scenario" · "Test" · "Draft" · "Scenario 1"

### Step 3: Optional Settings

* **Budget** - Set a cost target (e.g., -$2M). The OpEx Panel tracks green/yellow/red progress as you work.
* **Effective Date** - Target implementation date. Used by Forecast to show when changes take effect.
* **Description** - Document the purpose, problem being solved, key constraints, and expected outcomes.

## After Creating

You'll land directly in the scenario org chart. Before you start, verify:

* Scenario name appears in the top-left corner (not Main Org)
* The correct positions and scope are included
* The summary bar shows the expected headcount and cost

Ready to start? [Making Position Changes](https://docs.agentnoon.com/scenarios/using-scenarios-basics/making-position-changes)

## Troubleshooting

| Problem                              | Solution                                                                                                                  |
| ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Scenario creation is taking too long | Switch to Partial Org instead of Full Org                                                                                 |
| Missing positions                    | Confirm the missing positions are present in the Main Org. Widen the filter or select a higher-level manager as the scope |
| Unwanted positions included          | Narrow the filter or select a more specific manager                                                                       |
| Created the wrong type               | Delete and recreate - type can't be changed after creation                                                                |

## Related Articles

* [Making Position Changes](https://docs.agentnoon.com/scenarios/using-scenarios-basics/making-position-changes)
* [Scenario Comparisons](https://docs.agentnoon.com/scenarios/comparisons)
* [Organizing Scenarios](https://docs.agentnoon.com/scenarios/management/organizing-scenarios)