What is a project baseline?
A baseline is a snapshot of the approved plan. Without it, you can see that dates moved but not by how much.
What goes into it
For a schedule baseline: each task's start, finish and duration at the moment the plan was agreed. Scope and cost baselines work the same way for their subjects.
Schedule variance
Variance is current finish minus baseline finish, in working days. A positive number means late. Look at the critical tasks first: variance there moves the end date.
When to re-baseline
- After a formally approved change in scope or deadline.
- Not just because the project slipped. Keeping the old baseline is how you learn.
In GenuinePlan you save a baseline in one click and see ghost bars on the chart.
Frequently asked questions
Is a baseline the same as a forecast?
No. The baseline is what was planned. The forecast is the current expectation.
Related
Baselines
Freeze the plan you agreed on. As the project moves, GenuinePlan shows the original dates behind the current ones.
Read more →Project status report
A status report is read in two minutes by people with other things to do. Make those two minutes count.
Read more →Critical path method
The critical path is the longest chain of dependent tasks. It sets the shortest possible project duration.
Read more →Plan your first project in a few minutes.
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