Manage baseline modifiers

ArcGIS GeoPlanner allows you to modify values in your design layer based on data layer features that can be reported on a dashboard. A baseline modifier is a configurable, constant value based on a field from your data layer. The values used to calculate your baseline modifier are joined to a design layer. The calculation result is saved as a field that you can use to build equations for scenario indicators. Baseline modifiers can be configured to fit specific criteria for your scenarios.

Example: Baseline modifiers in habitat planning

A nature conservatory is using GeoPlanner to plan an expansion of an existing butterfly habitat. They have created a design layer representing the proposed extent of the new habitat. They want to ensure that the cost of land parcels overlapping the proposed habitat fits in their budget before deciding which land parcels to buy. After hosting a feature layer on their ArcGIS organization containing land parcels and their values, the team imports the data as a data layer. They create a baseline modifier from the imported data layer called landcost, which takes the sum of land values and adds it to their habitat design layer. The team can inspect the individual cost of land of their proposed habitat expansion by selecting the design feature. The team can also report these values for scenarios in an indicator and export their dashboard to share with stakeholders.

Create a baseline modifier

Complete the following steps to create a baseline modifier:

1. Open a project in GeoPlanner.
2. Click Dashboard on the map.
3. Click Dashboard Options .
4. Click Baseline Modifiers.

   The Baseline Modifiers dialog box appears.

5. Click Add.

   The Baseline Modifier dialog box appears.

6. In the Modifier Name text box, type a descriptive name for your baseline modifier.

   This name appears on the Baseline Modifiers dialog box.

7. In the Result Field Name text box, type a descriptive field name for the baseline modifier.

   This name appears in the Fields section on the equation builder dialog box.

8. Click the Design Layer drop-down arrow and choose a design layer.

   Your modifier values are added to this layer.

9. Click the Join Layer drop-down arrow and choose a data layer.

   Your modifier pulls data from this layer.

10. Click the Join Field drop-down arrow and choose a field from the join layer.

    This field is used to calculate the value of your baseline modifiers.

11. Optionally, check the Join Distance check box and type a numerical value and choose a measurement unit.

    Data layer features that intersect in the specified distance of the design layer are processed.

12. Click the Join Option drop-down arrow and choose a calculation method.
    • Sum—The baseline modifier's value is the sum of all records from the chosen field. Only available for numeric fields.
    • Min—The baseline modifier's value is the smallest record from the chosen field. Only available for numeric fields.
    • Max—The baseline modifier's value is the largest record from the chosen field. Only available for numeric fields.
    • Mean—The baseline modifier's value is the average of all records from the chosen field. Only available for numeric fields.
    • Standard Deviation—The baseline modifier's value is the standard deviation from the chosen field's mean. Only available for numeric fields.
13. Optionally, check the check box next to Assign Values if you want to assign values to your fields.

    A table appears in the Baseline Modifier dialog box and you are prompted to assign values for the chosen join field.

14. Click Calculate.

    The Baseline Modifier dialog box closes, and your baseline modifier value begins calculating.

    Note:

    The calculation process can take some time depending on the complexity of your baseline modifier. The map may flash or reload.

Recalculate baseline modifiers

Baseline modifiers do not automatically update when the source data is changed. You must recalculate your baseline modifiers after making changes to the modifier's associated data layers or design layers.

1. Click Dashboard on the map.
2. Click Dashboard Options .
3. Click Baseline Modifiers.

   The Baseline Modifiers dialog box appears.

4. In the Options section, click the Recalculate button next to the modifier you want to recalculate.

   Tip:

   Optionally, recalculate all baseline modifiers in your project by clicking Recalculate all.

   The baseline modifiers are disabled and the value is recalculated.

   Note:

   The calculation process can take some time depending on the complexity of your baseline modifier. The map may flash or reload.

Configure existing baseline modifiers

You can update your baseline modifiers to support new data or different calculation methods.

1. Click Dashboard on the map.
2. Click Dashboard Options .
3. Click Baseline Modifiers.

   The Baseline Modifiers dialog box appears.

4. In the Options section, click the Settings button next to the modifier you want to configure.

   The Baseline Modifier dialog box appears.

5. Configure your baseline modifier as necessary, and click Calculate.

   Note:

   The calculation process can take some time depending on the complexity of your baseline modifier. The map may flash or reload.

Delete baseline modifiers

You can delete unwanted baseline modifiers.

1. Click Dashboard on the map.
2. Click Dashboard Options .
3. Click Baseline Modifiers.

   The Baseline Modifiers dialog box appears.

4. In the Options section, click the Delete button next to the baseline modifier you want to delete.

   A dialog box appears.

5. Click Delete.

   Note:

   The calculation process can take some time depending on the complexity of your baseline modifier. The map may flash or reload.

GeoPlanner allows you to create, calculate, configure, and delete your project's baseline modifiers. By managing your baseline modifiers, you can pull information from data layers to a design layer to be used in an indicator.