scenarios
Imagined future outcomes
Scenarios are imagined sequences of events or possible situations.
The word often appears in planning contexts: best-case scenario, worst-case scenario, doomsday scenario.
In film and theater, a scenario is an outline of a plot.
The singular scenario has largely displaced the phrase "in that case" in conversational English: In that scenario, we'd need more time.
Circumstances shaping meaning
- circumstancesConditions affecting an event
- caseContainer or instance
- conditionState or stipulation
- settingContext of events
state · predicament · dilemma · crisis · incident · episode · juncture · occurrence
Uncertain possible event
- forecastingEstimating future conditions
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- roadmapDetailed plan forward
- preparationArranging things in advance
scheduling · budgeting · prioritization · goal-setting · timeline · milestones · feasibility · blueprint
Hypothetical scenario query
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- possibilityState of being achievable
- suppositionBelief without proof
counterfactual · assumption · projection · prediction · forecast · contingency · extrapolation · theoretical
Simulating or demonstrating form
- virtualExisting in effect, not fact
- computer-generatedMade by machines, not humans
- environmentExternal conditions affecting life
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
immersion · interactive · 3D · physics · real-time · sandbox · test · run-through
Venue for live drama
- screenplayFilm's written blueprint
- scriptWritten words for performance
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- actDeed or performance
plot · narrative · character · arc · protagonist · antagonist · climax · twist
One who operates something
- taskWork to be done
- workflowSequential task progression
- use-casePractical application scenario
- personaAssumed public identity
prototype · wireframe · testing · walkthrough · journey · interaction · error · onboarding
Methods to achieve goals
- chessStrategic board game
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- warfareArmed conflict between groups
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
negotiation · risk · operations · battleplan · deployment · intelligence · countermeasure · offensive
context
Circumstances shaping meaning
- circumstancesConditions affecting an event
- caseContainer or instance
- conditionState or stipulation
setting · state · predicament · dilemma · crisis · incident · episode · juncture · occurrence · development
contingency
Uncertain possible event
- forecastingEstimating future conditions
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- roadmapDetailed plan forward
preparation · scheduling · budgeting · prioritization · goal-setting · timeline · milestones · feasibility · blueprint · logistics
what-if
Hypothetical scenario query
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- possibilityState of being achievable
supposition · counterfactual · assumption · projection · prediction · forecast · contingency · extrapolation · theoretical · potential
modeling
Simulating or demonstrating form
- virtualExisting in effect, not fact
- computer-generatedMade by machines, not humans
- environmentExternal conditions affecting life
training · immersion · interactive · 3D · physics · real-time · sandbox · test · run-through · war-game
theater
Venue for live drama
- screenplayFilm's written blueprint
- scriptWritten words for performance
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
act · plot · narrative · character · arc · protagonist · antagonist · climax · twist · genre
user
One who operates something
persona · prototype · wireframe · testing · walkthrough · journey · interaction · error · onboarding · checkout
tactics
Methods to achieve goals
diplomacy · negotiation · risk · operations · battleplan · deployment · intelligence · countermeasure · offensive · defensive
- business exercisescase studies, business cases, simulations, exercises
- climate modelsclimate model, forecast model, weather model, ensemble, grid cell
- pretend playmake believe, pretend, pretend play, dress-up, dollhouse
- decision makingchoice, preference, picking, selection, options
- foresightforesight, precognition, futurology, forethought, premonition
- What Could Happenoutcomes, possibilities, probabilities, hypotheticals, consequences
scenarioscertainties
Assured truths
facts · realities · actualities · givens · truths
scenariosthe past
All elapsed time
chronicles · annals · history · histories · historical events
- worst-case scenarioMost unfavorable possible outcome
- best-case scenarioMost favorable potential outcome
- worst case scenarioMost unfavorable possible outcome
- best case scenarioMost favorable potential result
- nightmare scenarioMost feared potential outcome
- doomsday scenariosImagined catastrophic end events