What is a Scenario?
An analysis contains one or more scenarios. Each scenario represents a different
decision-making alternative. The first scenario in your analysis is called the
base scenario. It can represent existing conditions, the primary proposal under
evaluation, business as usual, or the first of several alternatives you wish
to compare in an analysis.
What is an Assumption?
An assumption is a value that is used as input to an analysis. They are usually
changeable and apply to an entire scenario. Assumptions can be a way to express
subjective inputs, such as how much weighting to give to a particular community
value like open space or economic development.
What is an Indicator?
Indicators are impact or performance measures that help people choose alternatives
that best match their objectives or desired outcomes. An indicator is a calculated
value that represents the impacts or outcomes of a scenario. An indicator might
be used to evaluate costs, revenues, average household size, "community benefit",
or total daily auto trips.
What is an Attribute?
A piece of information describing a map feature. The attributes of a census
tract, for example, might include its area, population, and average per capita
income. Attributes can also be a characteristic of a geographic feature described
by numbers, characters, images, and CAD drawings. For example, the attributes
of a well might include depth and gallons per minute.
What is an Alert?
An alert is used to monitor values during analysis and report if specific conditions
occur. Alerts may be displayed as a chart with (colored) target bars, an alert
message, or as a feature color on a map. An alert may be associated with an
assumption, a dynamic attribute, or an indicator.