# Scenarios Overview

## What Is a Scenario?

Scenarios are editable copies of your organization used for planning future changes.

Each Scenario begins as a snapshot of Main Org at the time it is created. Changes made in a Scenario do not affect Main Org.

Use Scenarios to model reorganizations, hiring plans, budget adjustments, and structural changes before implementing them.

## Three Scenario Types

When creating a Scenario, you can choose the type that matches your scope and purpose:

1. **Partial Org (recommended)** - Includes a selected portion of the organization, such as a department or reporting line. Best for focused changes within a specific team or area.
2. **Full Org** - Includes your entire accessible organization. Best for company-wide planning or large-scale restructuring.
3. **New Org** - Starts with a blank structure. Best for designing a new department from scratch.

<figure><img src="https://2094208261-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FCZc46qaaBbVmMuYXPfgz%2Fuploads%2Fe23UyOWrTgMMryDB17AC%2FScreenshot%202026-03-04%20at%2010.42.38%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=3382784a-7dc2-4b3c-ad98-858b35f56156" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## The Scenario Lifecycle

A Scenario typically moves through the following stages:

* **Create** - Generate a Scenario from Main Org.
* **Model** - Make structural and data changes.
* **Analyze** - Review headcount and cost impact.
* **Compare** - Evaluate alternative Scenarios.
* **Collaborate** - Share and gather feedback.
* **Approve** - Submit the Scenario for review.
* **Implement** - Apply approved changes in your Org.

## Key Features

#### OpEx Panel (Impact Tracking)

Track the impact of your changes in real time.

The OpEx Panel summarizes:

* Additions
* Reductions
* Data changes
* Headcount impact
* Cost impact

Use it to monitor the overall effect of your proposed changes.

#### Time-Based Planning

Model changes using effective dates.

Plan hires, exits, or structural updates over time and evaluate headcount and cost projections accordingly.

#### Scenario Comparison

Compare multiple Scenarios to evaluate different planning approaches.

Review differences in headcount, cost, structure, and key metrics before selecting a preferred option.

#### Approval Workflows

Submit Scenarios for formal review, including routing them through multi-level approvers while maintaining a full audit trail of all changes.&#x20;

## Scenarios vs. Main Org

| Scenarios              | Main Org         |
| ---------------------- | ---------------- |
| Future state / what-if | Current state    |
| Fully editable         | View-only        |
| Unlimited versions     | One version      |
| Manually created       | Synced from HRIS |
| Point-in-time snapshot | Real-time data   |

**When to use Main Org:** When you need to explore, search, analyze, or understand your current organization.

**When to use Scenarios:** When you need to model changes, plan reorganizations, or test different structures.

## Getting Started

1. Main Org > **Create Scenario** (top right) or Homepage > "**+"** button
2. Choose Partial Org > select scope
3. Name clearly: For example, "Engineering Q2 2026 Reorg"
4. Start editing — see [Making Position Changes](https://docs.agentnoon.com/scenarios/using-scenarios-basics/making-position-changes)
5. Check the OpEx Panel frequently for insights

## Related Articles

* [Creating Scenarios](https://docs.agentnoon.com/scenarios/creating-scenarios)
* [Using Scenarios - Basics](https://docs.agentnoon.com/scenarios/using-scenarios-basics)
* [Making Position Changes](https://docs.agentnoon.com/scenarios/using-scenarios-basics/making-position-changes)