How to optimize a scenario automatically using the embedded optimization engine

The purpose of optimization is to maximize business value of programs, projects, or proposals, without breaking resource and budget constraints, within the time frame that you specify.

Search for	Example	Results
A single word	`cat`	Topics that contain the word "cat". You will also find its grammatical variations, such as "cats".
A phrase. You can specify that the search results contain a specific phrase.	`"cat food"` (quotation marks)	Topics that contain the literal phrase "cat food" and all its grammatical variations. Without the quotation marks, the query is equivalent to specifying an OR operator, which finds topics with one of the individual words instead of the phrase.

Search for	Operator	Example
Two or more words in the same topic	`AND` `and` `+` (plus symbol) `&` (ampersand)	`cat AND dog` `"cat food"+milk` `"cat food"&"dog food"`
Either word in a topic	`OR` `or` `\|` (pipe)	`cat OR dog` `cat \| dog`
Topics that do not contain a specific word or phrase	`NOT` `not` `!` (exclamation point)	`NOT cat` `! dog`
Topics that contain one string and do not contain another	`^` (caret)	`cat ^ mouse`
A combination of search types	`( )` parentheses	`cat + (dog \| mouse)` `cat \| dog + (! mouse)`

Optimize scenarios

Note If you specify that certain content items must be included and these items break the constraints that you set, no data is displayed.

Do one of the following:
- From the main menu, select Plan > Project & Program > Project Portfolios. Service Management displays a list of project portfolios. Click the Scenarios tab and select the portfolio that contains the scenario you want to optimize.
- From the main menu, select Plan > Project & Program > Portfolio Scenarios. Service Management displays a list of project portfolios. Select the portfolio that contains the scenario you want to optimize.
Click Optimize it to optimize the scenario according to the selected settings. Service Management analyzes the proposals and displays results that include only those items that meet the desired business objective.

When the optimization calculation is finished, an Optimization Preview window appears, comparing the original and optimized values for cost, business value, resource demand, and total items.
- If you are satisfied with the results of the optimization, click Continue. Service Management displays the optimization results on the Scenarios page.
- If you are not satisfied with the result, click Cancel. The optimization results are then discarded and the Scenarios page displays the original selections before running the optimization.
Note Whether you click Continue or Cancel, a scenario is automatically saved with the name PortfolioName+timetag for your further use.
Click Save Scenario when you are finished.

To save the scenario with a different name for future comparisons, click Save Scenario as.