Build Scenarios for Your Portfolio Models

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This article walks you through the steps to build a scenario in your model so you can analyze options and choose the best path forward.

Scenarios let you explore different possibilities and make informed decisions without altering your live data. In Portfolio Modeler, creating a scenario helps you test assumptions, compare outcomes, and plan for change within a controlled environment.

Set Your Scenario Targets

Before reviewing constraints or prioritizing plans, start by defining your strategic targets. These targets help guide scenario creation and provide benchmarks for evaluating plan feasibility.

We recommend using the Targets feature to initially set your targets. The targets you set in the Set Targets form will also apply to the Analyze panel. See Set Model Targets to Visualize Constraints, Optimize Benefits, and Fine-Tune Goals for details.

You can also review and adjust your targets from the Analyze panel as you begin your scenario analysis.

  1. Click the Analyze icon in the header to open the Analyze panel.

  2. In the panel, locate the Target row for each constraint type (e.g., Budget, Benefits, Effort).

    Modeler_Create_Scenario_Enter_Targets.png

  3. Review and adjust your target values in the Current Target row. These fields are then color coded based on which items are "In" or "Out" in the list below.

    • Constraint Targets, like Budget and Committed Effort, will be green if the rolled up costs of the "In" items is less than the set target cost value. It will become red if the rolled up costs become greater than the target.

    • Benefit Targets, like Benefits, will be green if the rolled up benefits of the "In" items is greater than the set target benefits value. It will become red if the rolled up benefits become less than the target.

  4. Use these targets to evaluate whether your selected “In” plans meet strategic goals.

  5. As you adjust plans (e.g., remove, reschedule, or reprioritize), the Analyze panel updates in real time to show how your model aligns with the targets.

Prioritize the Model

Prioritizing your portfolio model is a critical step in aligning your strategic goals with the initiatives that will deliver the most value. In OnePlan Portfolio Modeler, you can manually sort plans based on business impact, financial performance, and your own organizational knowledge.

  1. Begin with an initial sort of the plans in the model.

    1. Use your organizational knowledge to identify high-priority and low-priority initiatives.

    2. Then drag and drop plans to sort them based on relevance, urgency, or strategic alignment.

    Note

    Use the Prioritization Score as a guide, but rely on your expertise to make final decisions.

  2. Remove low-value plans.

    1. Identify plans with low strategic value (e.g., negative ROI).

    2. Uncheck the box next to the plan to move it to the “Out” section.

    Note

    Plans in the “Out” section are excluded from analysis and scenario calculations.

    Create_Scenario_In_and_Out.png

  3. Reorder high-prioirty plans. Even if a plan has a low system-generated score, you can manually elevate its priority.

    1. Drag and drop high-priority plans to the top of the “In” section.

Adjust the Scenario for Financial Constraints

Managing financial constraints is a key part of prioritizing your portfolio model in OnePlan. By setting budget targets and analyzing financial data, you can make informed decisions about which initiatives to include, defer, or reschedule, ensuring your portfolio remains aligned with strategic and fiscal goals.

  1. Open the Financials Panel. Click the Financials icon in the top toolbar. The Financials panel will open at the bottom of the screen.

    Note

    Ensure you are viewing the Budget tab to focus on financial constraints.

    Open_Financials_Panel.png

  2. Configure the dates and detail level in the Financials panel.

    1. Click the Dates menu in the Financials panel.

    2. Choose your preferred level of detail to diaplay financial data: Monthly, Quarterly, or Yearly.

    3. Select pre-configured date ranges, or set a Custom date range to display in the Financials panel.

    4. Click Apply. The Financials panel will adjust based on your selections.

    Set_Dates_in_Financials_Panel.png

  3. Set Budget targets.

    1. In the Target row of the Financials panel, enter your budget goals for each period.

    2. If your budget is consistent across periods:

      • Switch to Year view.

      • Enter the total budget (e.g., $2,000,000).

      • Switch back to a Month or Quarter view to auto-distribute the budget evenly.

    Enter_Financial_Targets-VEED.gif

  4. Review each time period to spot overages. For example, if Q2 exceeds the target budget, you’ll need to adjust your model.

  5. Resolve budget overages.

    • Option 1: Remove low-priority plans.

      Move lower-priority plans to the “Out” section by unchecking their boxes. The Financials panel updates automatically to reflect changes.

    • Option 2: Reschedule plans.

      Open the Gantt Chart view. Drag and drop plans to different time periods (e.g., shift from Q2 to Q3 or 2026). Watch the Financials panel update in real time as you adjust timelines.

      Use_Gantt_with_Financials_Panel.png

Adjust the Scenario for Resource Constraints

Resource availability is a critical factor in portfolio planning. In OnePlan Portfolio Modeler, you can evaluate and prioritize initiatives based on team capacity, allocation, and scheduling flexibility. This guide walks you through how to use the Resource Plans panel to make informed decisions and optimize your portfolio within staffing limits.

  1. Open the Resource Plans panel. Click the Resources icon in the top toolbar. The Resource Plans panel will open at the bottom of the screen.

    Note

    By default, the Resource Plans panel displays resource availability and allocation data for all “In” plans. This view helps you assess whether your current portfolio is feasible given your team’s capacity.

    Open_Resource_Plans_Panel.png

  2. Configure the dates and detail level in the Resources panel.

    1. Click the Dates menu in the Resources panel.

    2. Choose your preferred level of detail to diaplay financial data: Monthly, Quarterly, or Yearly.

    3. Select pre-configured date ranges, or set a Custom date range to display in the Resources panel.

    4. Click Apply. The Resources panel will adjust based on your selections.

    Select_Dates_and_Detail_in_Resources_Panel.png

  3. Configure the Data Selection settings. Click the Data Selection icon in the Resource Plan panel toolbar.

    1. First select your Resource scope. Hover over Resources to see the options:

      • Select Model Resources to view only resources assigned to plans in your model.

      • Select All Resources to include every resource in your environment.

      Data_Selection_Resources.png

    2. Then select your Allocation scope. Hover over Plans to see the options:

      • Choose Model Plans to focus on current model plans.

      • Choose All Plans to understand overall resource capacity across your environment.

      Data_Selection_Plans.png

    3. Finally, select your Booking status. Hover over Plan Lines to see the options:

      • Filter by Proposed, Committed, or Draft.

      • For committed planning, select Committed.

      Data_Selection_Plan_Lines.png

  4. Navigate Resource constraints. Unlike financial constraints, resource planning is limited by actual team availability. Use the following strategies to prioritize effectively:

    • Option 1: Remove low-priority plans.

      Move less critical plans to the “Out” section by unchecking their boxes. This reduces resource demand and helps align with available capacity.

    • Option 2: Reschedule plans.

      Open the Gantt Chart view. Drag and drop plans to different timeframes to stagger workloads. This helps balance demand across periods and avoid resource bottlenecks.

      Use_Gantt_with_Resource_Panel.png

    • Option 3: Increase capacity.

      If all else fails, consider hiring additional staff or engaging contractors or temporary resources.

Save the Scenario

Once you are happy with the target values, and the items that are "In" and "Out", save the scenario.

Save a New Scenario

If no scenario is selected in the Scenario menu, or this is the very first scenario for the model, clicking Save will create a new scenario.

  1. Click the Save icon in the top toolbar. The Save Scenario form will open.

  2. Enter a Name for your new scenario (i.e. 2M Budget). Then click Save.

    Save_New_Scenario.png

  3. Once saved, your scenario will be applied to the model and available from the Scenarios menu, and available for comparison in the Analyze panel.

    Scenario_Saved_and_Available.png

Save Changes to an Existing Scenario

To save changes to an existing scenario:

  1. Select the desired scenario from the Scenarios menu.

  2. Make adjustments as necessary. You will see a notification pop up prompring you to save your changes.

    Make_changes_to_the_scenario.png

  3. Click the Save icon in the top toolbar. Your changes will be saved to the selected scenario.

Use Save As to Save a Copy of a Scenario

You can use the Save As option to create a copy of an existing scenario.

  1. Select the desired scenario from the Scenarios menu.

  2. Make adjustments as necessary. You will see a notification pop up prompting you to save your changes.

    Make_changes_to_the_scenario.png

  3. Click the carrot next to the Save icon in the top toolbar, and select Save Scenario As from the drop-down. The Save Scenario form will open.

  4. Enter a Name for your new scenario (i.e. 1.5M Budget). Then click Save.

    Save_Scenario_As.png

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