Problem

If I create a child operational alternative and assign it to a new scenario, will changes to controls in the new scenario effect those in the parent? How can I keep controls separate between scenarios?

Problem ID#: 35287

Solution

For most alternatives, you can make 'local' changes directly inside the alternatives editor. However, with controls, it is more complex.

If you make a child operational alternative from a parent, it will inherit the data from the parent. In the case of the operational alternative, the data it inherits is the selection of which control set it will use. (not the actual controls themselves) So, if you selected a different control set in the child, the selected control set for the parent will not be altered.

If you keep the control set selections (you don't create separate control sets for each alternative) and then change or delete a control that is included in that control set, it will affect both scenarios, since they are both using the same control set selection.

Simply using a new control set in a new operational alternative for a new scenario does not necessarily mean that the actual controls will be kept separate, because there is further configuration inside the control set. In order to keep controls separate between scenarios you'll need to create new controls, and control sets. Here is an example workflow:

1) Create controls

2) Create control set and include them in it

3) Select that control set in the current scenario’s operational alternative.

4) Decide to create a new scenario that will have different controls create that scenario

5) Create new controls for that new scenario and include them in a new control set. Controls that you know will always be the same for every scenario can be recycled. (you don't have to make a new one for the new control set; simply select the same one used in the first control set)

6) Create a child operational alternative, select that new control set in it and assign that operational alternative to the new scenario – the parent scenario will still use the first control set and the new scenario will only use controls for the new control set.

7) If you need to make a change to a particular control and want that to only be changed in a particular scenario, use the control sets? 

Filter in the controls tab of the controls tab of the controls editor to pick the control set for that scenarios and then make the changes to the controls. Since you created separate controls for this scenario in step 5, these changes wont affect the controls included in other scenario control sets. 

See Also

Using Controls, Conditions, Actions and Control Sets in WaterGEMS and WaterCAD