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Scenario management is the day-to-day workflow of branching, naming, switching, duplicating, and sharing scenario context. The goal is simple: make it obvious which scenario you are in and keep edits isolated to the right branch. Scenario switcher and active scenario context in Oculon

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Start from the scenario switcher

In the current Oculon workflow, the scenario switcher is the main entry point for scenario work. From there, users should be able to:
  • see the active scenario clearly
  • switch to another scenario
  • create a new scenario
  • avoid editing the wrong branch by mistake

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Create a new scenario

Create a scenario when you want to test a new case without changing Main Scenario. A practical workflow looks like this:
  1. Open the scenario switcher.
  2. Choose the option to create a new scenario.
  3. Give it a clear name.
  4. Land directly inside the new scenario.
  5. Make only the changes needed for that case.
In the current product model, a new scenario usually starts from Main Scenario unless the user is intentionally duplicating another branch.

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Keep active scenario context obvious

Active scenario context is one of the most important safeguards in the feature. Users should always be able to tell:
  • which scenario is active
  • whether they are working in Main Scenario or a derived scenario
  • whether the current branch is meant for exploration or review
If there is any doubt about where you are, stop and confirm the active scenario before editing.

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Duplicate when you want to branch from an existing scenario

Use duplication when you want to continue from a scenario that already contains useful effective values. This is especially helpful when:
  • an approved baseline should remain intact
  • you want a new draft from a reviewed branch
  • the next planning cycle should begin from an existing scenario instead of Main Scenario
The duplicate should behave like a new branch, not a shared live object.

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Name scenarios like communication tools

Good scenario names help other people understand purpose and lifecycle quickly. Names usually work best when they encode:
  • the planning question
  • the audience or review state
  • the lifecycle stage when relevant
Examples:
  • FY26 hiring plan - draft
  • Board baseline - locked
  • Downside case - review
Scenario links are most useful when they preserve scenario context for the person opening them. That means the link should point someone to the intended scenario, not just to the model generally. Permissions should still be enforced when the link opens.

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Keep the list clean

Scenario lists become hard to trust when every experiment survives forever. Retire, lock, or delete scenarios deliberately once they are no longer active. A smaller, better-labeled set of scenarios is easier to compare and safer to navigate.