A Scenario 360 analysis is a means of evaluating an issue or opportunity, including alternative approaches (scenarios), input, analysis, outcomes, and decisions. In Scenario 360, an analysis provides the overall framework for a project. It includes all of the map data, scenarios, calculations, and indicators for the various alternatives you may consider when evaluating an issue or opportunity. A Scenario 360 analysis is comparable to a Microsoft® Word "document,” PowerPoint "presentation,” or Excel "workbook.”
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. For example, 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.
In ArcGIS®, geographic information is displayed on a map as layers. Each layer represents a particular type of feature such as streams, lakes, or highways. A layer doesn't store the actual geographic data; instead, it references the data contained in coverages, shapefiles, geodatabases, CAD files, images, grids, and so on. Referencing data in this way allows the layers on a map to automatically reflect the most up-to-date information in your GIS database.